Positano - "Li Galli" and the legend of the Sirens

"Li Galli" and the legend of the Sirens

The cult of the sirens dates back to the Greek era. They are always associated with cliffs and rock formations which fall in to the sea: it is here that the myth of their existence was born. The rock formations and cliffs represented an important reference point for the navigators, even if, when the vessels came within a certain proximity, they were often overcome by the currents generated in these areas, with the result that the boats were wrecked upon the rocks.

Hence the cult of the sirens, depicted as beings which seduced the sailors to then kill
them, enticing them with the promise of successful passage through the dangerous obstacles which were to be met during the navigation.

The whole area is effected by the cult of these divinities, as is evident from the names of certain places. The most well known legend is that of Parthenope. According to this legend Parthenope is buried at Pizzafalcone. In the the south there is Licosa legend, from which Punta Licosa takes its name; and in the north there is the story of Ligea, who resided at Punta Campanella.

There are three islets which together form of "Li Galli": Gallo Lungo, Castelluccio and La Rotonda. Their names derive from the cult of the Sirens and their iconography. The sirens were depicted as part human, part animal creatures in the figurative art of ancient Greece. The animal part of the siren was not the fish of enchanting Medieval images, but an entirely feathered creature with only the face of a woman. From here the name "Li Galli" was derived, because the birdlike image was easily recognisable.

In literature there are many citations and passages which refer the cult of the sirens and their habitat close to "Li Galli". The terms 'Sirenai' and "Sirenusai", indicate both the sirens themselves and their residence. They are mentioned in the I century B.C by Strabone, the Greek Geographer and by Stratone di Sardi in 120 A.D.

It is easy to imagine how in antiquity, a great number of vessels were shipwrecked close to the habitat of the sirens and see how the ability of Ulysses, in Homer, to resist their seductive song and their temptations is in effect, the transposition in mythical key of navigational progress - an illustration of how a good knowledge of the sea and its currents made it possible to overcome certain perils.

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