This land, which has very ancient origins, was called by the Greeks Promontorium Minervae, due to the presence of the temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva; moreover, the presence of the temple of Apollo in the surroundings of the Crapolla fjord from which it took its name is certain, the celebrated temple dedicated to the cult of the Sirens, as described by the historians Pliny, Strabo and Aristotle, is certain, but not yet located. .
Nerano probably owes its name to Tiberius Nero Roman emperor, who chose Capri as his favorite summer residence. From the blue island, the emperor moved with his ships to the coast, and impressed by the beauty of the Marina del Cantone, he decided to build another villa there in addition to the twelve Capri. From the name of the emperor, comes “neronianum”, and therefore, today’s Nerano. Curious is the fact that after about two thousand years, even today, the illustrious guests who visit Capri, move towards the coast of Nerano, for a dip in the crystalline waters of a typical blue-green color, to stay in luxurious villas or to enjoy the gastronomic delicacies of the local restaurants.
Over the centuries, the village of Nerano, which was originally one of the Massesi hamlets, has suffered the controversial historical events of the Sorrento peninsula, among which the cruel and devastating raids of the Saracen pirates, who saw Nerano as protagonist of the looting which took place on 13 June 1558 by Pialì Pascià. The Turkish armies landed on the canton’s navy with 2000 men, while the fleet of 120 galleys moved to the side of the Gulf of Naples; the population frightened by the ships fled towards the hill, but found there the pirates who in the meantime had already devastated Nerano. Unheard-of crimes were committed, culminating in the deportation of about 1500 Massesi to Constantinople.