In Capri are called mulesi those who belong, not only by birth, to the Marina di Mulo or the Piccola Marina di Capri. The toponym Mulo comes from the pier that stood in that Marina to the south of the island where in the augusteo-tiberiano period docked the Roman ships. An enchanted place that the ancient Saracen raid watch tower (now the small church of S. Andrea) still divides into three distinct locations that the locals call Mulo in the center, Pennaulo on the left and Confalone on the right.
Antonino is the last descendant of the Albanese family, who as Giorgio Weber recalls in his memoirs, together with the Desiderio family were at the end of the nineteenth century the first to reside all year at the Piccola Marina.
At the beginning of the century Ciro di Mulo built the first cabins on that beach where painters, writers and poets sought their ideal mermaid. In 1930, Salvatore Albanese welcomed royal families and old European nobility who created the myth of the summer, marine and solar Capri on that beach and in his seaside inn. His children Aldo and Ciro, with all the families, in the seventies joining the restaurant from Ciro to Bagni da Maria, have created a single bathing complex, referred to as International Baths.
Almost by enchantment that beach where at the end of the nineteenth century only the few soldiers of the penal colony were bathing had become one of the most glamorous beaches of the summer caprese.
Antonino from 2014 leads the helm of the International Baths – Bagni da Maria whose colorful cabins recall the shades of the flora and the sea of Capri and the restaurant “Ciro a mare”
“I am proud to continue this ancient family business that helped create the Myth of Marina Piccola – confesses with emotion Antonino- Only by knowing your roots, not betraying your own history ,you can plan the future ,creating a modern company”.
“Innovating in the tradition” also seems to be the philosophy of chef Lorenzo Gargiulo, who proposes in his rich menus ancient recipes from Capri’s kitchens. The treasures of the countryside and the sea of Capri are always present on the tables of the restaurant by Ciro. On the terraces of Bagni di Maria they serve lighter and dietetic foods: crostone in its various types, (a tasty large fresella) is the most popular.
“Marina Piccola has its own magic – continues Antonino – that not everyone can perceive. The colors of the mountain of Solaro, the scents of the sea, you can enjoy them only in the early hours of the morning, when the sun is sweet and quietly kisses your skin and on the beach there are few swimmers. Unfortunately everyone goes to sea too late and does not live this exciting beauty”.
But when you enter the entrance of the International Baths there is a poetic mirror that welcomes you.
It’s a magic mirror that reflects you between the colored deck chairs and the Faraglioni.
The magic of this mirror intuited the photographer Luigi Ghirri who immortalized it in an iconic photograph: your image reflects your joy of living, to enjoy a beautiful day in the sea of Capri.
by Renato Esposito.
