Homer's Odyssey gets a full-sensory immersive exhibition at MAD Madrid Artes Digitales this September. The production combines 360° projections, virtual reality, holographic installations, theatrical re-enactments and an interactive metaverse into a single 90-minute journey through ancient Greece, from the fall of Troy to Odysseus's return to Ithaca.
What it is
The show unfolds across five distinct zones, each built around a different technology. Theatrical re-enactments open the experience with live performers staging key moments of the Mycenaean world and the Trojan War. An interactive metaverse section lets visitors navigate digital recreations of ancient landscapes, while a multisensory virtual reality module adds depth to specific episodes of the voyage.
The centrepiece is an immersive 360° film: eight independent short films, each covering one of Odysseus's trials (the Cyclops, the Sirens, Circe, the descent to the underworld and others), with its own visual style and original soundtrack. The route closes with a holographic installation that rounds off the narrative arc.
The production comes from the team behind MAD's previous shows at Matadero Madrid: Tutankhamun, Pompeii, Titanic and Cleopatra, which collectively drew millions of visitors across 24 cities on four continents and picked up over 20 international awards. Homer's narration is available in both Spanish and English, a first for a MAD production.
Why it's worth your time
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has turned Homer back into a household name this summer. The MAD exhibition is a separate project with no connection to the film, but it taps the same ancient myth. Anyone who left the cinema curious about Odysseus's world can now step physically inside it at Matadero: into the Cyclops's cave, past the Sirens, through the halls of Ithaca.
MAD's previous Matadero shows ran on projection-based formats. The Odyssey adds virtual reality, holograms and live theatrical scenes, making it the most technically varied production the venue has staged. Bilingual narration (English and Spanish) is a first for MAD, and the 90-minute, five-zone format keeps younger audiences moving.
Practical info
The experience is suitable for all ages, with a recommended minimum of five years. The venue is fully accessible. Advance booking is recommended, especially for weekends. A family pack is available for groups of three or more, where adults pay the child rate. Reduced rates apply for seniors, children and special groups.
FAQ
What's the story of Odysseus?
Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin tradition) is the Greek hero who devised the Trojan Horse to end the ten-year siege of Troy. His greater challenge was the journey home: a decade-long voyage through encounters with the Cyclops, the Sirens, the sorceress Circe and other mythological figures, all while trying to return to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus on the island of Ithaca. Homer's epic poem, composed nearly 3,000 years ago, is considered one of the founding works of Western literature.
Do you need to have read Homer's Odyssey?
No. Homer's voice guides the entire journey and each episode is self-contained, so adults and children can enjoy the story without knowing it beforehand. The five immersive zones present the narrative visually and aurally, making prior reading unnecessary.
Is the MAD exhibition related to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey film?
No. The exhibition is an original, independent production by MAD Artes Digitales, created by the team behind Tutankhamun, Pompeii, Titanic and Cleopatra. Both draw on Homer's epic poem as source material, but the approaches are entirely different: the film tells the story on screen, while the exhibition uses VR, 360° projections, holograms and theatrical re-enactments to put visitors inside the mythology.
How do you get to The Odyssey at Matadero Madrid?
The exhibition is at Nave 16, Matadero Madrid, Plaza de Legazpi 8, 28045 Madrid. The nearest metro station is Legazpi (lines 3 and 6), a five-minute walk away. Bus routes 6, 8, 18, 19, 45, 62, 78 and 148 also serve the area, and parking is available at the Plaza Río 2 shopping centre nearby.
Is The Odyssey at Matadero suitable for children?
Yes, the exhibition is designed for all ages with a recommended minimum of five years. Children aged 3 to 13 get reduced tickets from €16.90. A family pack lets adults pay the child rate when three or more people attend together.
