The Blue Grotto is an oval-shaped sea cave on the coast of
the island of Capri, on the south side of Italy’s Bay of Naples. It takes its
name from the fact that daylight enters the cave in such a way that the water
absorbs all wavelengths except for blue. It has been described as entering a
giant sapphire.
It can only be entered by boat through a tiny entrance, and
only when conditions permit. Visitors must lie on the floor of a small boat which
is taken into the grotto by the boatman pulling on a rope attached to the wall.
The grotto has been known about for thousands of years and
was known to be a favourite place of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. The walls of
the cave were adorned with statues of gods, some of which have been recovered
from the seabed within the cave.
Needless to say, this is a popular tourist destination and
long queues of boats form on fine days, which is the only time when access is
possible.
