"R" is for Red House

There’s an unusual house on the island of Capri painted in the same orangey red used in frescoes in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. When archaeologists unearthed these frescoes the colour became known as Pompeiian Red. In the late 19th century an American, J.C. MacKowen, chose this shade of red for his home in the town of Anacapri – la Casa Rossa, the Red House.

Casa Rossa, the Red House, Anacapri

Scientists now believe some of the red frescoes found in Pompeii may have originally been yellow but the pigments changed colour due to interaction with volcanic gases during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Pompeii Fresco

The colour of the Red House is unique but the museum now housed there holds one more treasure from the ancient Romans: statues discovered on the bottom of the famous Blue Grotto.

Blue Grotto Statues, Casa Rossa

Both times that I've been to Capri the Blue Grotto was closed  because of rough sea conditions. Have you been lucky enough to get inside?

Next:  "S" is for Souvenir