Q.ne.S.T. DC2.5 Publications on Capitalized best practices and routes: revised reports and informative sheets on the capitalization activities on best practices and routes. Epirus (Greece) _______________________ QNeST International Itineraries: Wine and Olive Oil Itinerary The theme of the Mediterranean Diet, with a particular focus on oil and wine, runs through all the countries of the EUSAIR area. The landscapes, characterised by olive groves and vineyards, bear witness to the common culture of the Euro-Mediterranean area, although each region has its own cultivars and production techniques. Oil and wine have always been used not just in food, but also in the rituals of the various belief systems practised on the shores of the Mediterranean. All the areas involved in the QNeST brand are crossed by routes linked to oil and wine. In Puglia, the greenways involving olive groves and vineyards are characterised by centuries-old monumental olive trees and olive oil mills, extensive vineyards and wineries. Along these routes in Xanthi, the olive trees stand out in all their majesty, while the wine route bears witness to the region's historic identity. The olive route in Epirus also highlights the bond between the centuries- old olive trees and the region. In the Marche region, the "Emotions without Borders" and "Experience the Region" routes allow you to discover the wealth of local heritage. The "Cycling through the Wineries" route allows you to enjoy the wineries in the Euganean Hills in Veneto in combination with the spas in the area. The vineyards and wineries of Montenegro are a constant theme of the "Historic and Natural treasure Route". Istria hosts routes in both Croatia and Slovenia; in the former on the themes of olive oil, wine and ham, a characteristic local product, and in the latter on stone, the coast and olive groves. Travellers, merchants and pilgrims The Mediterranean is a sea enclosed by land, since time immemorial connecting the various cultures that have evolved along its shores. Since ancient times, this sea has been crossed by peoples, merchants, pilgrims and travellers of all kinds, carrying with them cultural baggage and experiences that have shaped its regions, traditions, languages and cultures. The QNeST Brand promotes cultural activities via specific itineraries. The Via Francigena Greenway runs through the Salento peninsula in Puglia, offering "slow tourism" activities that allow the visitor to discover hidden treasures and ancient traditions between Brindisi and Otranto, following the routes of ancient travellers who embarked for the Orient. Closely connected to this theme is "The Way to Jerusalem" in the region of Xanthi, in Greece, while in Epirus, religious heritage routes highlight the Byzantine monasteries. In the Marches, the "Gira- Sole" project promotes cultural activities in the area of Pesaro. In Veneto, the "Literary Park of the Euganean Hills" hosts locations that have inspired poets and writers, while other routes allow the visitor to admire the splendid Venetian villas and castles along the River Brenta. In Montenegro the Virpazar and Skadar Lake National Park route includes landscapes, monuments and flavours around Skadar Lake Dry Stone Traditional dry-stone building techniques, recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage, are another shared feature of the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The QNeST Brand promotes routes connected to this important theme: used to build boundary walls, small circular buildings of various kinds, retaining walls for agricultural terraces and underground places of worship, the stones tell the history of the locations where they are deployed. The Dry Stones Greenways in Puglia are based on the importance of stone and its use in boundary walls, buildings, underground oil mills, crypts and rock-cut settlements. In the region of Xanthi, "Myths and Culture" is a historical and cultural tourist route linked to the myth of Hercules. In Epirus, the Stone Route runs through the mountain villages of Pindos. In Istria, the Stone Walls route showcases the rural area of Vodnjan, where stone is a key element of the landscape. In Montenegro, the Njegusi village and Lovćen National Park route takes the visitor on a spectacular journey from Kotor, on the coast, to the mountains inland, with an opportunity to enjoy the distinctive flavours of the local food and wine of Njegusi. Water Water is something that the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian area all share. In terms of nature, it includes wetlands, springs, rivers and lakes both near the coasts and inland. In terms of human activity, it plays a role in religious rites, gastronomic traditions and even health, as seen in the use of thermal spring waters since ancient times. This is reflected in the proximity of places of worship, cisterns, canals and spas, evidence of the day-to-day link between water and the human population. Then there is the sea, which, in addition to forming a vast ecosystem and a shared asset for the various populations, over time has enabled them to communicate with each other thanks to the art of navigation. In Puglia there are water-themed greenways in the coastal area from the archaeological park of Egnatia to the Alimini Lakes near Otranto, characterised by a mosaic of wetlands, ancient archaeological sites and spas. In the Veneto region, the Euganean Hills and Spas Area Brand combines thermal spring waters with local food and wine. In the Marche region, a route starts from the coast near Fano, before heading inland along the Furlo Gorge to the "Grotta dei folletti" in Acqualagna. Montenegro proposes a boat trip to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Lake Skadar. Lastly, Epirus proposes the "National Parks of Epirus" network, rich in natural ecosystems and beautiful landscapes. QNeST Local Routes: Religious and Cultural Heritage Arta is a city in which religious tourism flourishes every season of the year. The region of Arta is known for its Byzantine churches and monuments as remnants of a period when Arta (ancient Amvrakia) was the capital of the Despotate of Epirus. The religious and cultural heritage route has as its starting point of interest the emblematic church of Parigoritissa. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, which is characterized by design innovations both inside and outside the temple, culminating in the support of the central dome that gives the visitor the feeling of hovering. It was built in 1285-89 from Nikiforos Komninos Doukas and his wife Anna Palaiologina Katakouzini. The temple, the Bank, and 16 cells are preserved from the great monastery till today. The interior of the temple has been damaged by the passage of time and by various conquerors and as a result its interior decoration has been altered. However, the temple still impresses with its imposing size and innovative design. It is one of the most known landmarks in Arta and every visitor should see it. Τhe route continues to the temple of Saint Theodora. The church is located in the center of Arta, with Theodora to be the patron saint of the city. It was built in the 13th century by the queen of the Despotate of Epirus, Theodora and firstly, it was dedicated to St. George. Theodora became known of her philanthropic work and her devout life. The church functioned as a women’s monastery, where Theodora herself lived alone after her husband’s death. It is an attraction pole for every visitor in the town because of its exquisite architecture. Next, is the Temple of Apollo, which was the most important sanctuary of ancient Amvrakia, dedicated to Apollo. The temple is peripheral, in Doric order (measuring 20.75 m. x 44 m.) The temple was used as a quarry in the Early Christian period. Also, in a small distance, is the small theatre of Amvrakia. It is the smallest ancient theatre revealed so far in the Greek region. The theatre does not located in a natural hillside but on an artificially embanked slope, which covered the foundations and mosaic floors of a mid-4th century BC bath. The orchestra, parts of the cave, and the western part of the stylobate of the proscenium, have been uncovered. The next stop of the route is in Saint Vasileios. It is a 13th-century temple located on a pedestrian lane in the city center of Arta. It has a rich ceramic decoration whilst being fully brick. Despite the passage of centuries, the exterior of the church is still in excellent condition today, constituting an elegant Byzantine art. The participants will visit Ilias Lolos’ Hagiography workshop, a place where the religion meets art. In his workshop, the art of hagiography is demonstrated to the visitors. Hagiography constituted an important art genre in the early Christian church, depicting inspirational stories and legends. The next point of interest is the Monastery of Kato Panagia. The monastery is located at the foot of the hill Peranthi, on the road towards the village Glykorizo and is an active women’s monastery. It was founded in 1250 by the Despot of Epirus, Michael Doukas and this name was given to distinguish it from the great church of Arta, Parigoritissa. From the original building complex, today is preserved the Catholicon, which is a cruciform temple of special architecture, as distinguished by its ceramic decoration and its icons. Then, the participants can visit the Bridge of Arta, which is a stone bridge that crosses Arachthos river in the west of the city of Arta. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, starting with Roman or perhaps older foundations; the current bridge is probably a 17th-century Ottoman construction. Next, the visitors go towards the magnificent temple of Panagia Vlacherna. The church is a characteristic religious asset of the homonymous village across the town of Arta, and its name derives from the famous Panagia Vlacherna of Constantinople.