Cultural Route: St Paul the Apostle of the nations

"In the footsteps of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the nations" - Cultural Route

European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)

A Cultural Route highlighting the cultural values, heritage and legacy of Saint Paul’s missions to Europe,
to honour Saint Paul, as the Apostle of the nations, through his epistles and intangible heritage in literature, arts, history, philosophy, theology and Christianity in Europe,
towards regenerating the European ideals, with sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion along the route in several countries, regions, cities, islands, local communities and tourist destinations

A few words about us

The Region of Central Macedonia from Greece, the Lazio Region from Italy, the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism from Cyprus, and the European Cultural Tourism Network based in Brussels, Belgium, have agreed to form a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) that develops, implements, manages, promotes and supports the European Cultural Route: "In the footsteps of St Paul, the Apostle of the nations", as a result of the Cult-RInG Interreg Europe project (Cultural Routes as Investments for Growth and Jobs, 2017-2021). The above founding members of this EGTC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in which they have agreed to jointly develop, implement, manage, promote and support the above transnational cultural route for ultimate certification by the Council of Europe.

Route Concept and Research

The St Paul's footsteps Cultural Route concept is based on similar religious and pilgrimage Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, closely examined by the founding partners in the Cult-RInG Interreg Europe project during January 2017 - March 2021, such as the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes in North Portugal, Route of Saint Olav Ways in West Sweden, Via Francigena in Lazio Region. The preaching and legacy of St Paul has been very well researched and documented by several scholars, but not in terms of a comprehensive European Cultural Route. This has been done for the first time by the EGTC founding partners and their stakeholders, including relevant academics and experts, through several meetings, workshops, discussions and study visits at main sites.

Parts of the Cultural Route had been operating in terms of contemporary travelling and cultural tourism for several years, i.e. in Pafos, Cyprus since 2006, 'Cammino di San Paolo /Via Appia Antica' in Lazio Region, Italy, relevant sites in Amphipolis, Apollonia, Nea Fokea, Sithonia, Thessaloniki and Veria, in Central Macedonia Region, Greece. The Cultural Route brings together and integrates all these previous highly relevant initiatives in promoting cultural heritage and European values, by sustainable cultural tourism, pilgrimage and walking tourism activities. Further developments continue.

Aim of the Cultural Route

To highlight the rich cultural heritage aspects and legacy of Saint Paul’s missions to the gentiles and the forming of Christianity in Europe; also through his epistles and intangible heritage in literature, fine arts, history, philosophy and theology.
To link up sites and trails of Saint Paul's missions to Europe, in promoting European values, human rights, liberty, democracy and the rule of law.
To develop and promote sustainable cultural tourism at the points of interest, pilgrimage and walking tourism along the Cultural Route.
To include other relevant regions in Greece (Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, Athens-Attica, Corinth, Crete, North & South Aegean), in Italy (Sicily, Campania), as well as Malta and Spain, in the further development of the St Paul's footsteps European Cultural Route