Sicily is the cradle of myths and legends that give a magical touch to every small village, town, and province.
We take you on a journey through the Odyssey, written by the Greek poet Homer, telling you about the deeds of Odysseus, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the myth linked to the stunning sea stacks of Aci Trezza.

Odysseus in the land of the Cyclopes

Homer tells that Odysseus, during his long journey back from the Trojan War, landed in the Land of the Cyclopes. Driven by curiosity, he reached the cave of the most terrible of them all, Polyphemus, where he and his companions were captured by the giant. Of the twelve men chosen by Odysseus to explore the island, six were eaten. Trapped in the Cyclops’ cave, whose entrance was blocked by a huge boulder, Odysseus devised a plan to escape Polyphemus’ captivity.

The trick of the name “Nobody”

As a first move, he offered the Cyclops sweet and very strong wine to make him fall into a deep sleep. Polyphemus enjoyed the wine so much that he promised Odysseus a gift, asking for his name in return. Odysseus cunningly replied that his name was Nobody. “I will eat Nobody last,” was the Cyclops’ gift. After that, Polyphemus fell into a deep sleep, intoxicated by the wine.

The escape from Polyphemus’ cave

Odysseus then carried out the second part of his plan: together with his companions, he had prepared a massive wooden stake made from an olive tree, which, once heated, was driven into the sleeping Cyclops’ eye. Polyphemus screamed so loudly that he woke his fellow Cyclopes, who rushed to the cave. The Greeks hid among the Cyclops’ flock. When asked by his brothers, Polyphemus replied that Nobody was trying to kill him, so they left him in his suffering.

The next morning, while letting his sheep out, Odysseus and his men escaped thanks to another clever stratagem.

The escape among the sheep

Each of them clung to the belly of a sheep to avoid being detected by Polyphemus, who checked each animal as it left the cave entrance. Odysseus, the last to escape, held onto the Cyclops’ largest ram.

The Cyclops’ curse and the birth of the myth

Realizing the escape, Polyphemus climbed a promontory and began hurling rocks into the sea in an attempt to sink their ship. However, Odysseus made a mistake: he revealed his true name. Polyphemus then cursed him, invoking Poseidon and praying that he would never return home.

From this myth comes the legend of the sea stacks of Aci Trezza, immense rocks rising from the sea that create a unique landscape visible from the seafront of this enchanting fishing village.

Aci Trezza, Aci and Galatea

Aci Trezza is also linked to another legend narrated by Ovid: Aci and Galatea. The love between the shepherd Aci and the beautiful nymph Galatea was opposed by Polyphemus, who was also in love with her. Blinded by jealousy and rage, the Cyclops killed Aci by throwing a boulder at him.

The god Neptune, so that the two lovers could be together forever, transformed Aci’s blood into a river and Galatea into sea foam.