What was filmed here for The Odyssey
Favignana served as the main base for the Italian shoot, standing in for Ithaca, the home of Odysseus. Filming lasted several months.
The Castello di Santa Caterina, a Saracen and Norman fortress above the harbour, stands in for the palace of Odysseus. It appears during the training of Telemachus and the return of the king.
Christopher Nolan climbed the 900 feet up to the castle on foot every day for two weeks, while helicopters were used to move the equipment.
The island was called Aegusa in Greek, meaning 'island of the goats', and tradition identifies it as the place where Odysseus stopped to hunt goats before facing Polyphemus.
What you can see today
The Castello di Santa Caterina is a key filming location and is situated above the harbour. There is no specific information on how accessible it is to the public.
Visitors to Favignana can see the island that stands in for Ithaca in the film, but there are no details on other specific filming locations being accessible.
Where Favignana is
Favignana is an island located in the Free municipal consortium of Trapani, in Sicily. It is part of the Egadi Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and is known for its crystal-clear waters and natural beauty.
Discover Favignana with these tours
Questions about the shoot and the visit
Where were the Italian scenes filmed?
The Italian scenes were filmed in Favignana and the Aeolian Islands.
Is Favignana open to visitors?
There is no specific information on the accessibility of the filming locations in Favignana.
When was the film released?
The film was released on July 17, 2026.
Who played Odysseus in the film?
Matt Damon played Odysseus.
Where it is
Favignana, Free municipal consortium of Trapani
What's nearby
Eat nearby
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La Bettola 31 m · 1 min on foot -
Trattoria La Pinnata - da Mamma Rina 40 m · 1 min on foot -
questo e pi 45 m · 1 min on foot
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Ammukka 46 m · 1 min on foot -
Ristorante Matri Mia 47 m · 1 min on foot -
Quello Che C’è C’è... Ristorantemediterraneo sull’isola dal 2004 55 m · 1 min on foot
See nearby
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Murale Zù Sarino 102 m · 1 min on foot -
Chiesa di Sant'Antonio da Padova 153 m · 2 min on foot -
Area Marina Protetta Isole Egadi 153 m · 2 min on foot -
Mostra d’arte Gaspare Bertolini 153 m · 2 min on foot -
Camparia Museo 155 m · 2 min on foot -
Ancore della Tonnara 195 m · 2 min on foot
Photos by Fabio Nappi, Trattoria La Pinnata - da Mamma Rina, Giorgia Malacarne, Ristorante Matri Mia, Quello Che C’è C’è... Ristorantemediterraneo sull’isola dal 2004, Pietro ska, Francesco Spina, Massimo Giacalone, Mostra d’arte Gaspare Bertolini, Marco De Pascale, Manuel Ibba, via Google.
