Just off Capri’s famous Piazzetta, or little piazza, which is one of the island’s top places to pay far too much to see and be seen, you’ll find the beautiful 17th century church of Santo Stefano. The steps leading up the church are often lined with beautiful flowers forming an idyllic backdrop to the fashionable, elite and hordes of tourists passing through the Piazzetta. The church of Santo Stefano is generally open in the morning, and as chance would have it, I’ve always been in Capri town in the afternoon. Two weekends ago when we visited Capri we skipped going up to Anacapri and went straight to Capri to enjoy the day.
Finally I was able to see the inside of this church that had always intrigued me from the outside. Take a look at those mini-cupolas (is there a technical term for those?) along the roof of the church. It was finally time to see what they looked like from the inside. Beautiful does not begin to describe it!
The nave was lined with elegant chapels, and each arch contained one of these lovely glass chandeliers.
I would love to share more photos with you, but these are the two best that I got of the interior since I wasn’t supposed to take photos inside – and there was a lady circulating the church with a rather stern look on her face. So I am truly tempting you this week, and reminding you to visit the Church of Santo Stefano next time you are in Capri!
Inside you will be treated with an exquisite marble floor, including a fragment of the inlaid pavement from the Villa Jovis. Be sure to walk around the rear of the church, behind the altar, to see the mini-museum with beautiful nativity scenes, the carved wooden choir stalls and to peek out the back windows at the views of the luxury shopping streets of Capri. Don’t miss the large bust reliquary of San Costanzo, Capri’s patron saint and protector. And after you’ve visited the church, head down to the Piazzetta and enjoy the view of the church, the hustle and bustle of Capri’s busy piazza and the marvelous views down to Marina Grande.
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Chef Chuck says
Thank you for sharing Capri once again! The Church is beautiful, the curves, very high key!
Scintilla @ Bell'Avventura says
Where are all the people? You lucky thing to go in this season. I usually hurry past this part because of the tourists, but one day, in winter I will stop to visit too. The compact cupolas remind me of muffins (what sacrilege)!
KC says
The shot with the progression of domes is gorgeous. What a beautiful space! I hope that if I ever get to Capri, it'll be in the morning.
Anne in Oxfordshire says
Stunning, such beautiful shapes, pleased you got there without tourists, unlike poor Scintilla!
Gil says
Beautiful pictures! How did these sites make out with the mud slide?
Laura says
Ciao Chuck! I just can't help sharing the beauty of Capri. One of my favs!
Ciao Scintilla! It's so great without the hordes of tourists! I will always think of little muffins now and smile when I see this church. Thanks! 🙂
Ciao KC! Thanks! I'm so surprised it came out since my little digital camera usually doesn't take good shots inside buildings. Maybe next Spring you can make a trip to Capri before it gets too crowded!
Ciao Anne! I love Capri even when it's crowded, but without the crowds is even better. I hope Scintilla can visit there off season soon!
Ciao Gil! I haven't heard any news about Capri, so I think all is well there. The news coming from Ischia is so tragic! This can be a dangerous place to live with all the rain. If I find a good English language article on the mudslide in Ischia I will post it here.
Linda Lou says
What a lovely church-didn't get a chance to see it when we visited-by the way, how long does it take to get from Amalfi to Capri??
Gil says
I was probably so sleepy I got Capri in my head from the first comment that was posted. Sorry for this Senior moment!
Laura says
Ciao Linda Lou! Just another reason to come back soon. 🙂 Let's see, it takes just over an hour to get from Amalfi to Capri, but can be a bit longer even depending on how fast the boat is and whether it stops in Positano. It's a lovely trip!
Ciao Gil! No worries! With all the steep cliffs and precariously perched houses and roads, it can be dangerous anywhere around here when the weather is bad for too long. I'm always happy when you stop by!