CAPRI, Villa Lisis

Villa Lysis was built between 1904 and 1905 at the behest of the French poet and writer Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen, a controversial and fascinating character whose existence was marked by scandal and the constant pursuit of beauty and transgression.

Born in 1880 into an aristocratic family, Fersen soon became known in Parisian literary and artistic circles for his lifestyle and his works, which reflected his interest in eroticism and paganism.

In 1903, he was the subject of a scandal, due to his alleged homosexual relations with young students, which forced him into exile. It was then that he chose Capri to build his ideal residence, far from the social conventions of the time.

The mansion, initially named "La Gloriette," was designed by the French architect Edouard Chimot, with the aim of creating a retreat that reflected Fersen's passions and aesthetic sense. It is a perfect example of neoclassical architecture mixed with Art Nouveau and Deco references, blending classical elements with modern innovations to create a unique setting. The imposing façade features Doric columns supporting a large portico, while the interior is a triumph of decadent aesthetics, with spacious rooms decorated with marble, stucco and fine mosaics....