Ithaca Returns to Tell Its Hero: Archaeologists Discover Lost Sanctuary of Odysseus

Ithaca , the homeland of the wandering hero Odysseus , is once again making headlines, not through the verses of the Odyssey , but with the concrete voice of the earth, the stones and the inscriptions that time has preserved like secrets whispered between the roots of the olive trees and the hidden springs. On the slopes of Exogi , in the north of the island, a team of archaeologists has brought to light an extraordinary monumental complex. And what until now was only a hypothesis cultivated between philology and myth, now becomes a certainty: the sanctuary of Odysseus , the Odysseyon of Ithaca, has been rediscovered.

The discovery of the sanctuary of Odysseus

Thanks to the research of the University of Ioannina , conducted at the archaeological site of Agios Athanasios–Homer’s School , the island today reveals a real fragment of its epic past. In the green and rocky heart of Exogi, in an area rich in spring waters, stands the site known as Homer’s School , so called since the 19th century.

Between two terraces connected by stone-carved stairs, a surprisingly well-preserved architectural complex has emerged. The upper terrace features the remains of a Hellenistic tower (3rd century BC), while the lower terrace is occupied by a large rectangular building, probably used for ritual activities.

Archaeologists have found more than 100 coins , gold jewelry , terracotta votive offerings and bronze objects that testify to a constant flow of visitors and intense religious activity. Among the most extraordinary finds, an intact underground cistern , built with huge blocks in the Mycenaean style, has yielded ceramic fragments from the late Palatial period, placing it among the rarities of the Aegean.

The twist, however, comes from two Hellenistic epigraphic inscriptions : on fragments of votive tiles and ceramics the names ΟΔΥCCEOC and ΟΔΥCCEI , respectively “of Odysseus” and “to Odysseus”, appear clearly engraved. These are dedications, perhaps from pilgrims, which suggest the existence of a heroic cult dedicated to the king of Ithaca in that very place. To reinforce the identification, a miniature bronze bust with the features of the hero and other inscriptions linked to Apollo Agyieus suggest a well-articulated sacred context.

The importance of discovery

The discovery of the Odysseyon is a profound sign that concerns the identity of an island and its eternal bond with the most enigmatic and human figure of the Homeric epic. Odysseus has never been just a literary character. For Ithaca , he has always been something more: collective memory, cultural root, symbol of return and resistance.

Identifying the Hellenistic complex as the sanctuary dedicated to him , also mentioned in an ancient decree of 207 BC, means confirming that the tradition was not only narrative, but practiced, lived, celebrated. It means that Ithaca is not a mythical island lost in verses, but a real place where its inhabitants and visitors went to honor the hero who represented it in the ancient world.

Today this discovery opens new perspectives, not only for archaeology, but for the local community and for cultural tourism in Greece . The Municipality of Ithaca has already announced initiatives for the protection and enhancement of the site, planning scientific and information events, and support for future excavations.