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GREEK SORRENTO

Understand how the Greeks influenced the Sorrento Penisula through the Myths of the Sirens, Punta Campanella and the Temple of Athena, and the tales of Marina Grande.

Myth of the Sirens

Massa Lubrense, a comune in the Metropolitan City of Naples within the Campania region of Italy, is known as the land of the Sirens. The Sorrento peninsula is rich in mythology. The legends of the sirens extend from Naples, named after the siren Partenope, to Punta Campanella at the peninsula's tip, where Ulysses and his men evaded the sirens with the help of the Greek goddess Athena.

In ancient times, sirens were depicted as half human and half bird, featuring the beautiful torso of a woman and the terrifying body of a bird. Over the centuries, this image evolved into the modern portrayal of sirens as half woman and half fish. Additionally, the sirens were known for their melodies, which they would use to lure and attract sailors.

One famous siren myth is the story of Ulysses’ encounter with the three sirens: Parthenope, Leucosia, and Ligeia. On his voyage back to his home in Ithaca, Ulysses is warned by the goddess Circe about the siren's song and how they use it to lure sailors into crashing their sails into the Siren’s rocks, or “scogli delle Sirene”. Ulysses decides to have his men tie him to a pole, restraining him from approaching the sirens, while his men stuffed their ears with beeswax as they traveled through the sea.

There are three famously known sirens in the Gulf of Salerno: Parthenope, Leucosia, and Ligeia. While there are several origin myths of where these three sirens originated from, they are believed to be the daughters of Muse Callope and the river Acheloo. The three daughters were believed to be with Persephone during her capture by Hades and were thus punished by the Goddess Demeter and transformed into the Sirens.

Throughout time, cults worshiped and provided offerings to keep the sirens appeased, with many dedicated to one specific siren. The cult of Pathenope actually influenced the city of Naploi’s name Although there is not an exact record location of the shrines dedicated to the sirens, it is believed to be in the Northern part of the peninsula, not far from the Athena shrine in Punta Campanella.

The presence of sirens is still visible throughout the Sorrento peninsula, even represented by three islands in the Gulf called “Li Galli.” Additionally, Symbols of sirens can be found in local stores, buildings, and ancient records. However, the sirens' image has very noticeably changed, and it is difficult to find original depictions of sirens as half-bird and half-human in the Sorrento peninsula outside of museums or historical records. Most of the local depictions are half-human and half-fish in local areas, with more tourist attractions focusing on mermaid depictions, which should not confused with a siren.

Punta Campanella & Temple of Athena

Punta Campanella is a Marine Protected Area at the tip of the Sorrento peninsula. The tip of the peninsula has a rich history of habitation by Greeks, Romans, and Saracen pirates and is most notably recognized as the sanctuary of Athena. Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, arts, sciences, military strategy, and civilization.

Alongside the shrine for the Sirens, there was also a rival cult for the Goddess Athena with a shrine close to the point of the peninsula. According to legend, Ulysses built the temple of Athena at the Siren Cliff to show his gratitude for her guidance as he traveled the sea of sirens. However, this temple was later converted by the Romans into a sanctuary devoted to the Roman goddess Minerva, who was a similar representation of Athena.

Athena was worshipped not only for her rationality and knowledge but was also viewed by worshippers as the protector of navigators, including sailors and traders. There are similar temples of Athena also dedicated to navigators, including one at Syracuse where passing travelers would give libations as offerings. The locals worshipped the goddess on behalf of the Roman naval forces and fleet.

Despite the temple being mentioned in historical records, physical remnants of the temple have not been found at the cliff. However, in 1985, archaeologists uncovered Oscan inscriptions about the temple and shrine of Athena, with some possible remains of the temple's foundation located near the Saracen tower.

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Marina Grande

Marina Grande is the traditional fishing village of Sorrento, located just behind the Sant'Anna Institute. This fishing village has a significant Greek history and influence, evident in both the myths of the area and how Greek structures played into the defense of Sorrento in Roman times.

Also known as the "Beach of the Sirens," Marina Grande is tied to the myth of Sirentum. According to legend, Sirentum was born after a vow made by her peasent parents at the Temple of the Sirens. Later in life, Sirentum met with the siren Partenope at Marina Grande, who declared that the beautiful women would one day marry a Prince. While Sirentum did married the prince of the Durres family, she was soon kidnapped by Saracen pirates during a raid. After the local Sorrento citizens donated their earnings to the Saracens, they were able to save the princess and return her back to her home in Marina Grande.

Additionally, Marine Grande also holds significant history in the Sorrento’s defense system. One notable feature of Marina Grande is an original Greek city gate from the 4th century was used as an ancient port by the Romans during the Augustan era. The Greek Gate still stands today as a large stone archway that you walk underneath while walking to Marina Grande. This Greek gate, developed through a construction technique called “isodoma”, was used during the Roman times as a defense against Saracen invasin.

The largest Saracen attack in Marine Grande occured on February 14, 1558. According to the legend, a local servant named Ferdinand was gifted the keys to the port by his knight, Onofrio Correale, whom was waiting for the visiting Correale family. However, Ferdinand decides to betray the town in favor of freeing his fellow Saracens from jail. The town was attacked at night, and there was an attempted to steal the bell of St. Antonino. While the Saracens were not successful in stealing the bell, dropping it in the ocean, there is a legend you can steal hear the bell chimes in the water on the 14th of February every year.