Café Casa Oliv was opened in 2011 after having been renovated from being Josef Oliv’s home into a popular café with a wonderful view. The renovation was made possible by financial support from The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and Gärsnäs AB.
OPENING HOURS: Open every day from mid March to the end of October, with the same opening hours as the museum.
MENU: Download the menu here (PDF)
Josef Oliv, author, poet and journalist for the Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, was a close friend of Axel Munthe. In 1949 Oliv was appointed as the executor of Munthe’s will and a year later as the first director of the Foundation. Oliv felt his primary task was to improve and transform the property so it could become self-supporting, which was also an indirect condition of the Swedish state for accepting the donation. Under Oliv’s leadership (1950–1967) his character and cultural heritage were reflected in Villa San Michele. Oliv knew the art of telling fabulous stories inspired by Villa San Michele. In terms of cultural exchanges between the two countries, Oliv took pains to celebrate both the Swedish and Italian national days in traditional style, and both the local islanders and the Swedes took part in these festivities. After Oliv retired he continued to work actively on behalf of Villa San Michele, and when he was on Capri he lived in this apartment. As a concrete sign of appreciation, a bronze bust of Oliv was placed in the staircase leading to the exit. Josef Oliv left Capri for the last time in 1973.
