The Kick-off Meeting of the project CROSS - Cultural Routes of Sacred Sites was successfully held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Monastery of Douroutis Dove, at the University Campus of Ioannina, marking the official start of its implementation within the framework of the Interreg VI-A IPA III CBC Programme «Greece-Albania 2021-2027».
The lead partner of the project is the University of Ioannina, which coordinates the partnership with the participation of Development Epirus SA, the Holy Metropolis of Ioannina, the Municipality of Argyrokastro and the Holy Metropolis of Argyrokastro.
The meeting brought together the project partners from Greece and Albania, confirming the essential cross-border character of the initiative and setting the basis for the coordination of actions, the formulation of a common methodological approach and the definition of the immediate next steps of implementation.
During the meeting, the main objectives, the methodological approach and the immediate next steps of the project were presented. Particular emphasis was placed on the documentation and digitization of the Religious Cultural Heritage, the creation of personalized Cultural Routes of Sacred Sites, as well as on the development of digital tools and applications that will offer experiential experiences to visitors.
At the same time, the importance of the activation of sacred sites through artistic interventions and modern digital technologies was highlighted, as well as the strengthening of local communities through training activities, educational tools and the revival of traditional religious crafts.
In the context of the inaugural meeting, a Press Conference was held at the Monastery of Duroutis, with the participation of the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou, the Metropolitan of Ioannina, Mr. Maximos, the Scientific Officer of the project, Professor Polyxeni Mantzou, the Deputy Mayor of Argyrokastro, Ms. Kristina Gushi, the Vice Rector Professor Xenofonta Bitsikas, the Member of the Board of Administration of the University of Ioannina, Professor Konstantinos Karamanis, the General Director of Development Epirus A.E. Mr. George Theocharis and the representative of the Holy Metropolis of Argyrokastro Mr. Stephanos Kotis.
The Rector of the University of Ioannina placed particular emphasis on the geopolitical role of the institution as an academic hub in the cross-border region, underlining that research and innovation are strategic tools for strengthening the cooperation between Greece and Albania. He stressed that the University of Ioannina, through projects such as CROSS, confirms its role as a provider of scientific knowledge and interconnection between the two countries, contributing substantially to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
The Metropolitan of Ioannina expressed his joy for the implementation of the project in two regions «with common history and roots», noting that the Religious Cultural Heritage is a living spiritual and historical legacy. He referred to the importance of cooperation with the University and the Albanian partners, stressing that this initiative strengthens the ties between the two countries and highlights their common cultural references.
The Deputy Mayor of Argyroclavs, Ms. Kristina Gushi, underlined the need to promote cultural and religious tourism and deepen cross-border cooperation, stressing that the project contributes to strengthening the common perspective and sustainable development of the two regions.
The Professor of the School of Architecture of the University of Ioannina, Ms.Polyxeni Mantzou, as the head of the research team of the project, said that CROSS is an opportunity to approach cultural heritage as a vector of continuity and evolution, in interconnection with local communities. He stressed the project's interest in crafts related to religious heritage, the creation of an open database that will collect, digitise and make the relevant material available to the general public, as well as the development of personalised cultural itineraries that visitors can choose based on their own criteria. He noted that the heritage experience will be based on narrative and spatial approaches and will make use of both digital technologies and art, in the logic of continuing the projection of the past into the present and the future.
CROSS aspires to form an integrated and sustainable model of cultural tourism, combining scientific documentation, digital innovation, contemporary artistic creation and active participation of local communities. Through the creation of a Network of Cultural Routes of Sacred Sites, the use of digital technologies, the collection of oral testimonies and the development of educational and training tools, the project seeks to enhance the cultural identity, the local economy and the long-term sustainability of sacred sites.
