20/02/2026
The CROSS Project is officially launched!
With great success, the Kick-off Meeting of the CROSS – Cultural Routes of Sacred Sites project was held on February 11, 2026, at the Monastery of Dourouti, University of Ioannina Campus, officially launching the project under the Interreg Greece - Albania Programme.
Led by the University of Ioannina, the partnership brings together the Development Agency of Epirus S.A. (Αναπτυξιακή Ηπείρου ΑΕ - Αναπτυξιακός Οργανισμός Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης), the Holy Metropolis of Ioannina, the Municipality of Gjirokastra (Bashkia Gjirokaster) and the Holy Metropolis of Argyrocastro, establishing a strong cross-border framework for coordinated action and shared methodology between Greece and Albania.
The meeting presented the project’s objectives and first implementation steps, focusing on the documentation and digital safeguarding of Religious Cultural Heritage, the development of personalized Cultural Routes of Sacred Sites, and the creation of immersive digital tools and applications. Particular emphasis was also placed on activating sacred sites through artistic interventions and contemporary technologies, while strengthening local communities through training initiatives, educational tools and the revival of traditional religious crafts.
A Press Conference was held at the Monastery with the participation of the Rector of the University of Ioannina Professor Anna Batistatou, the Metropolitan of Ioannina His Eminence Maximos, the Project Manager Professor Polyxeni Mantzou, the Deputy Mayor of Gjirokastër Ms. Kristina Gushi, Vice Rector Professor Xenofon Bitsikas, Member of the University Council Professor Konstantinos Karamanis, the General Director of the Development Agency of Epirus S.A. Mr. Giorgos Theocharis, the representative of the Holy Metropolis of Argyrocastro Mr. Stefanos Kotis (Στέφανος Κότης), and from the Joint Secretariat of Interreg Greece-Albania, Project Officer Ms. Chrysa Kallitsari.
CROSS aspires to establish an integrated and sustainable cultural tourism model that combines scientific documentation, digital innovation, artistic creation and active community engagement, strengthening cultural identity, local economies and the long-term sustainability of sacred heritage sites across the Greece–Albania area.
