Do You Know the Myth of Polyphemus Set in Aci Trezza?

The peculiar landscape of Aci Trezza with its Faraglioni and the proximity to the majestic Mount Etna has nurtured legends and myths over the centuries. The Greek poet Homer, in the IX book of the Odyssey, sets in the Sicilian village the unfortunate encounter between Odysseus and Polyphemus. Keep reading and discover the story with us.

The encounter between the cunning Odysseus and Polyphemus

During the long journey from Troy to Ithaca, Odysseus and his sailors sail across the Mediterranean until they reach the eastern coast of Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna, known as the land of the Giants. The Greek hero, driven by curiosity, ventures into the cave of Polyphemus, a powerful man-eating Cyclops devoted to shepherding and known for his single eye in the middle of his forehead, ending up being trapped. Odysseus, using the stratagem of presenting himself as “Nobody” to Polyphemus, once the Cyclops is drunk and blinded, manages to nullify his cries for help by tricking him with the false name. The next day, Odysseus and his men escape from the cave. However, this act provokes the wrath of Polyphemus, who begins hurling rocks into the sea in a futile attempt to sink the Greek ship. To this day, the archipelago of the Cyclops, located a few hundred meters from the promenade of Aci Trezza, is named after this tale.

The myths with Polyphemus continue in Sicily

Another legend that has reached us is the one where the monstrosity of Polyphemus is linked with the Sicilian village, the myth of Acis and Galatea. Right on the strip of land between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea lived a beautiful nymph named Galatea, daughter of Neptune. The marvelous creature fell in love with the shepherd Acis, and despite being from different worlds, they fell in love. Polyphemus, who lived in those areas, had also fallen in love with Galatea, and once he learned of their love, blinded by jealousy, uprooted trees and hurled a gigantic rock at poor Acis, smashing his body into pieces. It is said that the nymph shed all her tears, to the point of moving the Gods to pity. So they transformed Acis into a river and the nymph into sea foam, so they could embrace for eternity.

Experience the places of the Greek myth yourself and stay in front of the faraglioni hurled by Polyphemus, and in the land that witnessed the love story of Galatea and Aci. We await you in our rooms at the Hotel Faraglioni in Aci Trezza.