Matermania is the name of the area between the hills of Mount Tuoro and Mount Tiberio, on the east side of Capri island. You can reach it either by the main square (through the uphill street of Sopramonte or the steeper slope of Croce Street) or by Tragara, through the sheer stairs starting after Pizzolungo Street and climbing the rocky side of Tuoro hill.

The whole area takes her name by the Grotto of Matermania, which is located under the first flights of steps going down to the Pizzolungo. In this cave, during the Roman imperial age, it was builted a nymphaeum dedicated to the Mater Magna (Great Mother), the Goddess of fecundity. It consisted of a large hall, ended by a high apse. The walls were covered by marbles.

The imposing brickworks made around the cave (to ensure its static balance, because of friable rocks) make us believe it was built for the Roman emperor Tiberius, who loved to take refuge in some hardly accessible places of Capri. The few steps in the middle of the apse were probably used to canalize some spring waters, dried nowadays. It was a common use inside patrician villas, in order to create a relaxing effect.

At the end of Matermania street we find a real rarity, a work of art by nature: the Natural Arch. It is an impressive rocky arch that bases on a thin pillar; through it we can enjoy a nice view over the underlying cove. Probably it was early the entrance to a large cave, whose vault and sides collapsed leaving steady only the doorway arch.  [ More...]