The National Library of Albania preserves a rare 1655 map of the Mediterranean that reflects how 17th-century scholars connected ancient myths with real geography.
The map shows the coasts of Europe and Asia Minor and highlights locations such as Troy and Ithaca, known in the map as “Val Compare”. These names reveal how cartographers of the time tried to link Homer’s legendary stories with the physical world.
The map comes at a time when Homer’s “Odyssey” has returned to global attention through a new film adaptation by director Christopher Nolan. It also reminds audiences that Odysseus’ journey has inspired research, study and imagination for centuries.
According to Homer’s tradition, the Mediterranean served as the stage for Odysseus’ legendary voyage. The stories place mythical locations across these waters, including the Sirens, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus and the island of Calypso.
Today, researchers continue to debate whether Homer’s geographical descriptions represent real places or belong mainly to the world of mythology. However, this mystery continues to attract scholars and readers, keeping the connection between history, memory and legend alive.
The 1655 map remains a valuable cultural treasure. It shows how European culture interpreted the Homeric world and preserved the fascination with one of the greatest journeys in ancient literature.
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