anacapri

We finally made it all in one piece after the not quite so normal adventure up the mountain to Anacapri.  The town was a cute little beach town with white buildings and tunnels of azaleas growing down walk ways.  Much like Sorrento, there were lemon trees after lemon trees growing all throughout the town.  We were recommended to stop at this garden called Gardin di San Michelle di Axel Munthe.  Munthe was a Swedish physician who became world reknown.  He was the first physician to treat the patient, not just the illness.  He would not accept payment from the people of Capri for the treatment he gave them but his wealthier patients gave him more money than he knew what to do with.  As he gained popularity, he became the Swedish Queen Victoria’s private physician.  She suffered from bronchitis and he recommended she spend her summers at Capri, and she did.  Starting the 1910 she spent a few months of the year in Capri living with the physician. 

The physician, Munthe, built a spectacular house and an even more spectacular garden.  Munthe had many helpers around the estate and while he paid them no wages for their services, he provided them with everything the needed.  The garden was in full bloom when we visited on that warm Satuday afternoon in April.  The view from the perimeters of the estate is incredible and shows the whole town of Capri below. 

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