Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Massa Lubrense Punta Campanella

Punta Campanella

A crumbling watchtower and a lighthouse overlooks the site believed to be the Sirens' cliff in the "Odyssey."

Massa Lubrense, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The watchtower and the lighthouse   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Capri seen from Punta Campanella   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The descent to Punta Campanella   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The slit in the rock   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Punta Campanella is the last headland of the Sorrentine Peninsula and overlooks the island of Capri, separated by the narrow Bocca Piccola straight.

A lonely and crumbling Saracen watchtower originally constructed by Robert of Anjou in 1334 (rebuilt in 1556), was originally part of a defensive network that dots the peninsula and its bell. It's actually where the headland's name derives. The bell was rung to warn the inhabitants of seaborne invaders and enemies. Near the tower is an automated lighthouse constructed during the 1970s. 

Other ruins around the tower include defensive structures constructed by Murat to halt the British conquest of Capri. There are also Roman remains that have been attributed to an imperial villa and a temple dedicated to Minerva or Athena.

A slit in the rock on the left allows for a perilous descent to the sea below and was most likely used to access a mooring point. An Oscan/Samnite inscription was discovered on the rock cliff in the 1980s. It mentions the work of three Samnite magistrates who built the mooring site so offerings could be brought to the temple. When the Romans conquered the peninsula, they took over the temple although the ancient ruins hidden under the vegetation might also be attributed to an imperial villa. 

The site is also believed to be the spot where Ulysses, who asked his men to row the ship past a cliff and had himself tied to the mast, listened to the dangerous song of the Sirens. 

Related Tags

Towers History & Culture Roman Ancient Literature

Know Before You Go

Punta Campanella can only be reached on foot via a little over a mile long (3 kilometers) trail from the village of Termini. Alternatively, you can climb to Monte San Costanzo and take the steep trail down the mountain which offers incredible views over Capri and the nearby Bay of Ieranto. 

There are two ways of descending from the lighthouse to the sea but both are very dangerous. 

The narrow slit in the rock with the Oscan inscription is equipped with ropes and a ladder, while a staircase in poor condition leads to the mooring on the northern side. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Published

July 10, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Punta Campanella
Massa Lubrense, 80061
Italy
40.569233, 14.324673

Nearby Places

Villa Jovis

Capri, Italy

miles away

Gennarino Scugnizzo

Capri, Italy

miles away

Arco Naturale (Natural Arch)

Capri, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Villa Jovis

Capri, Italy

miles away

Gennarino Scugnizzo

Capri, Italy

miles away

Arco Naturale (Natural Arch)

Capri, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Overlooking Mamurra’s villa and baths.

    Formia, Italy

    Parco Naturale Regionale di Gianola e Monte di Scauri

    This little visited park is a treasure trove of ancient Roman ruins.

  • Diokletian Aqueduct

    Split, Croatia

    Dioklecijanov Akvadukt (Diocletian Aqueduct)

    This ancient Roman aqueduct once funneled water to Diocletian's palace.

  • Roman Punic necropolis in the Moroccan coast.

    Tangier, Morocco

    Roman Punic Necropolis

    Ancient Phoenician and Roman tombs carved into the rock overlook the Moroccan coastline.

  • The Headquarters building

    Ambleside, England

    Ambleside Roman Fort

    This beautifully situated lakeside Roman settlement was likely built during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.

  • Ruins of Elea-Velia

    Marina di Ascea, Italy

    Parco Archeologico di Velia

    This ancient city was home to one of the greatest schools of Greek philosophy.

  • Resti del Ponte Romano (Roman Bridge in Rieti)

    Rieti, Italy

    Resti del Ponte Romano (Roman Bridge in Rieti)

    This ancient Roman bridge was a key feature of the ancient Via Salaria road.

  • Casa Romuli

    Rome, Italy

    Casa Romuli

    These hut foundations are believed to be the residence of Romulus, founder of Rome.

  • Vicus Caprarius.

    Rome, Italy

    Vicus Caprarius

    A forgotten "city of water" underneath the famous Trevi district.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.