Italy Panorama

The coast at San Marco di Castellabate

Punto Licosa

All along the Campania coast there are places that harken back to Greek legends- and legendary writers.  One example is the pretty lighthouse near San Marco di Castellabate, which sits on a tiny island just off the rocky shore.  Its mythical origin dates back to  about 800 BC but is recounted by locals like a more modern historical happening.  Punta Licosa derives its name from the Greek ‘Leucosia’, who is said to have been one of the three sirens (or mermaids) mentioned by Homer in his epic Odyssey, whose songs lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks. Odysseus had to be tied to the mast to keep from succumbing to their melodic allures. The mythical Leucosia, after failing to bring destruction to Odysseus, was thrown into the abyss of the sea and washed up on an island, which was named after her…hence, Punta Licosa.

Punta Licosa

Today the lighthouse stands guard and keeps sailors from shipwrecks- by sirens or storms- and to remind visitors that Greece left many distinctive marks on southern Italy.