Ogygia

Ogygia (Greek Ὠγυγίη or Ὠγυγία ) is the name of that island in Greek mythology, who served as the nymph Calypso abode.

Epic

On the island of Calypso held Odysseus according to Homer fixed for seven years before her messenger of the gods Hermes, the decision of the gods sent to let it move Odysseus.

Homer describes the island in his epic poem as follows:

" When he [ Hermes ] the distant island [ Ogygia ] jetzo reached, He got out of the dark waters of the sea shore, Walked on until he came to wide grotto of the nymph With beautiful flowing locks, and the nymph was at home. In front of her burned ' on the stove ' a great fire, and far off Surged up the sweet scent of the burning wood of the cedar And the Citronenbaums. She sang with melodious voice, Diligent, a beautiful fabric to work with golden coil. Around the cave grew a grove full of verdant trees, Poplar willow and alder and cypress fragrances richer. Under the arbor lived the breitgefiederten birds, Owls and hawks and crows breitzüngichte water, What bestreifen the coast of the sea with greedy eyes. To the gewölbete cave of the rock spreads ' a vine His shuffling tendrils hung with purple grapes. And four sources poured their silver flashing water, A close to the other, and meandered here and there. Meadows were green around, overgrown with clover and Eppich. "

The description of the flora ( cypress, black poplar, black alder ) on Ogygia clearly suggests that it is an island of the dead. Eppich (parsley ) is a sign of mourning.

Attempts to locate

The mythical Ogygia is often identified with Lipari. But the Maltese island of Gozo, on which one shows a " Calypso Grotto", the Croatian island of Mljet, the Greek island of Gavdos south of Crete and the Sicilian island of Pantelleria claim to have been the former home of the nymph. Gavdos has taken up the slogan " Gavdos, the island of Calypso " in their self-promotion.

The location of the island is specified as the " navel of the sea ," which could refer to the Canary Islands. Already Strabo localized Ogygia based on the information of Homer in the Atlantic .. The joined some modern researchers to: Arthur Breusing saw in Madeira, the island of Calypso, while Richard Henning left open whether Madeira or the Western Canary Islands with Ogygia was identified.

Calypso Cave Gozo

Above the Ramla Bay, the Calypso Cave is the island of Gozo. After a part of the cave has collapsed, it is closed to visitors and to visit only from above.

View the output of the " Calypso Grotto " on the Ramla Bay

Declaration on the Calypso Cave by the Ministry of Gozo