Overlooking the eastern coast of Capri, on the Punta Massullo promontory, Villa Malaparte is one of the island’s most recognizable buildings. Built directly onto the rock and characterized by its distinctive geometric design, it has become one of the symbols of modern Italian architecture.
The History of Villa Malaparte
The villa was commissioned by the writer and journalist Curzio Malaparte, whose real name was Kurt Erich Suckert, who chose Capri as a place to live and work.
Construction began in 1938 and was completed in 1942. The project has traditionally been attributed to architect Adalberto Libera, one of the leading figures of Italian Rationalism. However, the history of the design is more complex: Malaparte was directly involved in the original plans and modified several elements, playing a decisive role in the final appearance of the villa.
The Architecture of Villa Malaparte
The building has a rectangular structure with red masonry, built directly onto the rocky promontory.
Its most distinctive feature is the large trapezoidal staircase, which occupies much of the façade and leads to the rooftop terrace. The terrace is enclosed by a curved white wall, designed to protect the space from the wind while also defining the building’s distinctive silhouette.
The decision to build the villa directly onto the rock creates a strong connection between the architecture and its surroundings. Rather than concealing the natural shape of the promontory, the building incorporates it as an integral part of the design.
Curzio Malaparte and the Villa
Villa Malaparte was not conceived simply as a holiday home. Malaparte used it as a private residence and workplace, spending various periods of his life there.
Its isolated position at Punta Massullo provided the writer with a secluded place away from the centre of the island. The interiors were also designed around his lifestyle, with spaces dedicated both to private life and to his literary work.
Villa Malaparte and Cinema
The villa’s international fame is also closely linked to cinema.
In 1963, the building was chosen as one of the main locations for Le Mépris (Contempt) by Jean-Luc Godard, based on the novel by Alberto Moravia. The film starred Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli and Jack Palance and featured several areas of the villa, highlighting its distinctive architecture.
Its appearance in the film helped turn Villa Malaparte into an internationally recognizable icon.
Where Is Villa Malaparte?
Villa Malaparte is located at Punta Massullo, on the eastern coast of Capri, between the Faraglioni and Punta Tragara.
It can be reached on foot via the path that starts at Punta Tragara and continues along the coast. The villa is privately owned and is not normally open to the public, so its interiors cannot be freely visited.
Today, Villa Malaparte is considered one of the most important examples of 20th-century Italian architecture and one of the most original examples of the relationship between modern architecture and the landscape of Capri.
