Blue Grotto exhibition runs until 18 October 2026

The Blue Grotto and The Myth of Capri exhibition are linked by a 200th-anniversary programme running at the Certosa di San Giacomo in Capri from 3 July to 18 October 2026. The exhibition centres on the 1826 rediscovery of the sea cave, known locally as Grotta Azzurra, and places its story within the island’s wider cultural history.

For travellers from Western Europe, the programme offers a land-based way to explore the history of a coastal site whose direct access depends on sea conditions. The exhibition remains scheduled through 18 October 2026, within the current autumn travel window.

The Myth of Capri runs through 18 October 2026

The Myth of Capri is being presented at the Certosa di San Giacomo by the Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri. The exhibition is curated by Massimo Osanna and Luca Di Franco, and marks two centuries since the Blue Grotto was rediscovered in 1826.

Its material includes works of art, documents, archaeological finds and literary sources. A final section uses augmented reality to reconstruct the Blue Grotto in both an imperial-era setting and its contemporary form. The exhibition also provides a free interactive digital audio guide through the official Musei Italiani app.

The opening programme took place at the Certosa on 2 July 2026, before the exhibition’s public run from 3 July to 18 October 2026. A separate programme entry for 26 September 2026 brought a theatre and philosophy meeting called Il Mito della Grotta to the Certosa’s Small Cloister, with discussion of the cave’s rediscovery.

The exhibition’s dates and location are listed by the exhibition announcement. The current Capri events calendar also records the programme and its connection with the Blue Grotto.

Blue Grotto history is told beside a former monastery

The Certosa di San Giacomo gives the programme a direct connection with Capri’s museum landscape. The exhibition venue houses the Archaeological Museum of Capri, where some Roman sculptures formerly associated with the grotto are displayed.

The Blue Grotto lies on the north-western slope of Capri, within the municipality of Anacapri. The official Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri describe the cave as an ancient nymphaeum belonging to the imperial residence at Villa di Gradola. The grotto is accessible by boat, while the remains of the villa rise above it on terraced ground.

That physical relationship shapes the anniversary programme: the exhibition presents the cave through documents, objects and digital reconstruction, while the official site places the natural chamber within its Roman architectural setting. The cave’s wider public rediscovery dates to 1826, the year used by the exhibition to frame Capri’s changing reputation among travellers, artists and writers.

The museum’s official Blue Grotto history identifies the villa, the nymphaeum and the boat access. The exhibition report describes how the 1826 episode became part of Capri’s international cultural history.

Visiting Blue Grotto: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Myth of Capri is scheduled at the Certosa di San Giacomo from 3 July to 18 October 2026. Its subject is the 200th anniversary of the Blue Grotto’s 1826 rediscovery.
• The exhibition is on land at the Certosa, while entry into the Blue Grotto itself is by boat. Sea conditions can therefore affect a separate cave visit without changing the exhibition dates.
• The cave is on Capri’s north-western slope in Anacapri. The official museum information describes access to the grotto by boat and places Villa di Gradola above it.
• The Certosa di San Giacomo is also associated with the Archaeological Museum of Capri. Some Roman sculptures from the grotto are displayed there rather than inside the cave.
• The cave is a sea chamber with a low marine approach, so the boat transfer is part of the physical access. The exhibition’s augmented reality section provides a non-boat reconstruction of the site.
• Italy’s official language is Italian and its national currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about Blue Grotto

When does The Myth of Capri take place at Blue Grotto?

The exhibition takes place at the Certosa di San Giacomo in Capri from 3 July to 18 October 2026. It focuses on the Blue Grotto’s 1826 rediscovery.

What is the Blue Grotto?

It is a sea cave on Capri’s north-western slope and an ancient nymphaeum linked to Villa di Gradola. The cave is accessible by boat.

Where is Blue Grotto and how do you get there?

The cave is in Anacapri on Capri’s north-western side. The official museum information describes access by boat, while the anniversary exhibition can be visited at the Certosa di San Giacomo.