Marina Grande, Capri
AA-2026-170EF2
On the image
Arriving by sea at Capri, tourists in the 1970s expected an idyllic island escape, unaware they were about to participate in a logistical exercise disguised as a vacation. The entire town clings precariously to the hillside, a clear sign that early settlers prioritised dramatic views over practical building sites.
High above, a venerable former monastery presides over the scene, its ancient stones likely contemplating the transient nature of human leisure. A national flag whips in the wind, a patriotic declaration that simultaneously serves as a useful landmark for disoriented visitors attempting to find their tour bus.
Below, crowds mill on the quay, executing the complex dance of disembarkation and embarkation. This efficient human conveyor belt moves vacationers from expensive boat to expensive island, a process that reliably turns a relaxing trip into an unexpected exercise in coordinated shuffling.
The historian's note
The image depicts Marina Grande on the island of Capri, Italy, as seen from a ferry or private boat in the 1970s. The prominent white building with a tower high on the hillside is the Certosa di San Giacomo, a historic Carthusian monastery founded in 1371. Below it, the harbour settlement developed to accommodate maritime traffic and, increasingly, tourism.
Capri became a significant tourist destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting artists, writers, and European high society. By the 1970s, it was firmly established as a popular Mediterranean resort, necessitating the expansion of its port facilities and accommodation. The landscape, characterised by steep cliffs and the iconic Faraglioni rock formations (not visible here), has shaped the island's unique architecture and infrastructure.
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Capri Harbour Arrival, Italy, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-170EF2. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/capri-harbor-arrival-italy-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026170EF2,
title = {Capri Harbour Arrival, Italy, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-170EF2},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/capri-harbor-arrival-italy-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Capri Harbour Arrival, Italy, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-170EF2 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/capri-harbor-arrival-italy-1970s ER -
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