Aci Trezza: Legends and Stories Between Myth and Reality

Ulysses, Polyphemus, and the Origin of the Faraglioni of Aci Trezza

Upon arriving at Aci Trezza, a picturesque fishing village at the foot of Mount Etna, your eyes are immediately drawn to the majestic Faraglioni rocks emerging from the Ionian Sea. This breathtaking scene blends nature with myth: you can almost glimpse nets brimming with silvery sardines and tuna (once sacred to Poseidon), and smell the salty aroma of freshly harvested sea urchins[1]. Here, nature intertwines seamlessly with mythology, and each whisper of the waves seems to revive ancient legends[2].

Among these stories is the one narrated by Homer in the Odyssey, set precisely on these shores. The Greek hero Ulysses, during his long journey back from Troy, landed on the “Island of the Cyclopes” in eastern Sicily[3]. In a cave beneath Etna lived Polyphemus, a gigantic shepherd cyclops, ferocious and man-eating, son of the sea god. Polyphemus trapped Ulysses and his men in the cave, devouring some of them. Using cunning, Ulysses offered the cyclops strong, sweet wine to intoxicate him, saying his name was “Nobody”; when Polyphemus fell into a deep sleep, Ulysses and his men blinded him with a heated olive stake[4]. Furious and blinded by pain, Polyphemus called for help from other giants, but when he declared that “Nobody” had injured him, they left him alone, deceived by the trick[5].

At dawn, Ulysses organized their escape by tying himself and his companions beneath the cyclops’ sheep, escaping unnoticed from the cave. Only when their ship was far offshore did Polyphemus discover the deceit and, in rage and frustration, began hurling massive volcanic rocks toward the fleeing Greeks[6]. According to legend, these rocks are today’s Faraglioni of Aci Trezza—eight large stones jutting out from the coast, eternal witnesses to the cyclops’ wrath and the hero’s ingenuity[7]. To this day, locals call these rocks the “Islands of the Cyclopes,” recalling the Homeric myth where the Cyclopes forged lightning bolts for Zeus deep within Mount Etna[8].

Today, the Faraglioni are not only legendary symbols but also a protected natural heritage of immense value. They form part of the “Isola Lachea e Faraglioni dei Ciclopi” Nature Reserve, safeguarding the area’s rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity[9]. Boating among these rocks or strolling along the shore at sunset offers an experience suspended between reality and fantasy, where the charm of the landscape intertwines with immortal traditional stories[10]. As waves gently lap against the shore, one’s thoughts drift to Ulysses and Polyphemus, naturally imagining local fishermen repairing their nets on boats—perhaps after serving delicious sea urchin pasta or grilled swordfish in nearby restaurants, fresh produce from these legendary waters. In this corner of Sicily, myth surrounds us, making every visit a plunge into wonder.

Acis and Galatea: A Tragic Love between Etna and the Sea

Not only Homeric adventures unfold here: the coast between Etna and the Ionian Sea also hosts a classic love myth. The legend of Acis and Galatea narrates the passionate romance between a mortal shepherd and a sea nymph—a tale as romantic as it is tragic, set precisely here in Sicily[11]. Galatea—imagined locally as the daughter of the sea god Nereus (or Neptune)—was a beautiful sea nymph of milky-white beauty, dwelling among the waves[12]. On the shore beneath Etna lived Acis, a young shepherd (according to Ovid, the son of the god Faunus), who grazed his flocks on the verdant coastal pastures[13]. They met by the sea and fell deeply in love, symbolically uniting the opposing realms of land and sea. However, the cyclops Polyphemus also appears in this story: the giant, who according to some traditions lived in those same rugged areas, became infatuated with Galatea and persistently courted her without success[14].

One night, illuminated by the silver moonlight, Polyphemus discovered Galatea embracing her beloved Acis on the shore. Blinded by jealousy and pain, the cyclops decided on a terrible revenge[15]. Legend recounts that Polyphemus, with blind fury, tore a massive lava rock from Etna’s side and hurled it at the shepherd, striking him fatally[13]. Desperate, Galatea emerged from the waters and ran to Acis, finding him lifeless beneath the rock. The nymph wept bitter tears of sorrow until the Olympian gods, moved by her grief, intervened to grant the lovers eternal union[16]. They transformed Acis’ blood into a river flowing from Etna to the sea and Galatea into seafoam, allowing them to embrace forever where freshwaters blend with salty seas[17].

These legends of Aci Trezza are not merely stories; they profoundly shape local culinary traditions. Fresh seafood from these waters—anchovies, swordfish, and sea urchins—feature prominently in delicious local dishes. Complementing these dishes are the intense, mineral-rich white wines cultivated from Etna’s volcanic soils. A visit to Aci Trezza perfectly blends legends, nature, and culinary delights.