The Via Egnatia Project – Reviving a Road That Connects People
The Via Egnatia Project is an international initiative that brings new life to one of the most important ancient roads of Europe. Built in the 2nd century BCE, the Via Egnatia once stretched from Durrës on the Adriatic Sea, through Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and into modern-day Istanbul. For centuries it served as a vital corridor of trade, culture, and dialogue between East and West.
Today, the project reimagines this historic route as a cultural corridor and hiking trail, designed to connect communities, promote sustainable tourism, and foster peace and friendship across borders.
Supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and implemented by the Via Egnatia Foundation in partnership with the Macedonian Civic Education Center (MCEC), the project demonstrated how playful education can spark curiosity, strengthen cooperation, and connect communities across borders.
Main Goals
- Preserving Heritage – Highlighting Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman sites along the route.
- Sustainable Travel – Encouraging walking, cycling, and slow tourism as ways to explore local traditions and landscapes.
- Community Engagement – Involving local residents through storytelling, music, and cultural events.
- Cross-Border Cooperation – Building bridges between people and countries through shared history and experiences.
The Via Egnatia Project shows how cultural heritage can become a driver for dialogue, understanding, and sustainable development. By walking the ancient road, travelers not only discover stunning landscapes and monuments, but also connect with the living culture of the Balkans and beyond.
Via Egnatia Foundation: A Road That Connects People
The Via Egnatia Foundation (VEF) is a non-profit initiative dedicated to reviving the ancient Roman road Via Egnatia as a living cultural corridor that links communities across the Balkans and into Türkiye. Rather than treating the route simply as a hiking path, the Foundation promotes it as a platform for exchange – of stories, music, heritage, and sustainable travel – aiming to foster friendship and peace across borders.
VEF’s work blends heritage interpretation, slow tourism, and community storytelling to “re-connect” the road’s landscapes and people. Its public activities include:
- The Via Egnatia Hiking/Biking Trail – a long-distance route that immerses travelers in Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage along the way.
- Storytelling & Narrative Projects – collecting and sharing voices from along the route to bring history to life for contemporary audiences.
- Cultural & Educational Initiatives – from music tours to gamified heritage experiences that engage locals and visitors alike.
Check out the video: Via Egnatia joined project – Promotional Video – YouTube
