FAVIGNANA : THE CYCLOPS ISLAND

The first journey in On the Trail of Ulysses in Sicily

What if the island of the Cyclops was not simply a place from Homer’s imagination?

Just seven kilometres off the western coast of Sicily lies Favignana, an island of golden tuff caves, hidden coves, ancient battlefields and centuries-old traditions. Known in antiquity as Aegusa—the island of goats—it offers a remarkable landscape that echoes Homer’s description of the land visited by Ulysses and his men.

In this short guide, Tancredi Coriolano follows the trail of Ulysses through Favignana, exploring the connection between Homer’s Odyssey and the physical landscape of the island.

Discover:

• The Land of the Cyclopes — the story of Ulysses, Polyphemus, the famous “Nobody” trick and the escape from the Cyclops’ cave.

• The Battle of the Egadi — the decisive naval battle of 241 BC that changed the history of Rome, Carthage and Sicily.

• The Mattanza — Favignana’s extraordinary tuna-fishing tradition and the story of the historic Flor