Chiesa Monumentale di San Michele. Dedicated to Saint Michael, this church was built from 1698 to 1719 and was founded by a nun from Capri named Mother Serafina di Dio. Today the church is home to the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception who look after the preservation and maintenance of this magnificent church. While the façade of the church is a simple, white Baroque design, as soon as you enter and pay the modest fee to visit the church, you’re just steps from seeing one of Capri’s architectural treasures.
The first thing you see entering the nave of the church is the marvelous hand painted ceramic tile floor. Every inch of it is covered with a grand scene showing the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The dramatic scene takes place in a lush setting surrounded by trees, plants and all types of animals. This wonderfully preserved floor dates from 1761 and was created by Leonardo Chiaiese, one of the best ceramic artists working in Naples in the 18th century.
For an impressive view of the entire floor, climb the spiral staircase to the organ loft and look out over the church from above. The colors of the floor come to life and the scene of Adam and Eve takes on a theatrical setting. The high altar of the Church of San Michele is equally impressive when viewed from above. It features a beautifully engraved marble altar dating from 1719 and an important painting of Saint Michael the Archangel by the Neapolitan artist Nicola Malinconico.