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“Odyssey” by Homer, tells of Ulysses who, after the wars of Troy, set sail for Ithaca where he had left his wife and only son. After several adventurous days at sea, his boat was wrecked in a terrible storm near the isle of Ogygia and Ulysses drifted on the flotsam to the sandy shore of a large bay.
Some are convinced that Gozo is the mythological island of Ogygia, on which the beautiful nymph Calypso inhabited a grotto in the hillside overlooking the bay. She witnessed the event on the beach and rescued Ulysses, took him to her cave and nursed him. Calypso promised him immortality and eternal youth if he would remain and marry her, but Odysseus rejected her so she kept him 'prisoner of love' for seven long years. Finally Zeus ordered Calypso to release the unhappy man. Ulysses sailed from Ogygia on a raft and after further adventures at sea, arrived at Ithaca where he found his beloved wife at home weaving a never-ending web while she waited hopefully for his return.
Although both the cave's interior and exterior are similarly not too impressive, there is nevertheless, a feeling of excitement for any visitor to stand on possibly one of the oldest and most famous historic spots in the world. In addition, there is the magnificent view of the turquoise water and the reddish sandy beach of Ramla l-Hamra bay far below, which is Gozo's finest bathing beach. Hundreds throng to the place for a look at the legendary abode of the brave hero and the lonely nymph.
From the cave’s vantage point, less than thirty meters from the shore, visitors can glimpse the remains of an underwater fortification: a wall built by the Knights in the mid 18th century. It had been built to stop invading boats on a line in the range of two huge fugasses, which were none other than stone mortars, big holes in the rocky shore, filled with gunpowder and stones. However they were cunningly constructed in such a way that their deadly load, in case of ignition, would fall on the unsuspecting boats.
Calypso’s cave is situated about 2 km east of Xaghara Centre. Access to it by bus from Victoria Bus terminus to Xaghara and then a short distance on foot.
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