Suggested Cultural Heritage Route in the Evros Delta and the Wider Region

The Holy Church of Panagia Kosmosoteira is one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in Thrace. It was built in the 12th century by the sebastokrator Isaac Komnenos, a son of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, as a monastic complex. It is a cross-in-square church with a dome and retains impressive frescoes and decorative elements that reveal the high artistic level of the Komnenian period. It is a center of religious and historical significance, reflecting the spirituality and prosperity of the Byzantine Empire in Thrace.

The Byzantine aqueduct of Feres is a significant technical work from the Byzantine period. It was constructed to supply water to the monastery of Panagia Kosmosoteira and demonstrates the development of hydraulic engineering during the Middle Ages. Despite the ravages of time, the surviving structures allow for the study of its function and strategic importance for the local community.

Nikos Gotsis’ collection in Feres is an excellent example of private initiative in preserving local cultural heritage. It includes traditional objects, tools, and clothing that reflect the everyday life of Evros residents in earlier decades. It is a small but valuable folklore collection that serves as a precious resource for understanding the local social and economic history.

The Holy Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, known as "Panagia of Evros," is a modern monastery with rich spiritual and charitable work. Founded in 1972, it is an important religious center in the area. The nuns of the monastery engage in icon painting, weaving, and the production of ecclesiastical items, contributing to the preservation of the Orthodox monastic tradition. The monastery is known for its charitable work, providing assistance to destitute families and socially vulnerable groups.

Ancient Zone was one of the most important colonies of Clazomenae in Thrace, founded in the 7th century BC. The city developed commercially and culturally, maintaining relations with the Greek world and Asia Minor. Significant architectural remains, such as walls, temples, and residences, reveal the city's prosperity during the Archaic and Classical periods. Notable finds include ceramics from residential drainage, as well as sculptures that testify to the cultural interaction between Thracians and Greeks. Another remarkable find is the first deciphered inscriptions in the local Thracian dialect, which was achieved with the assistance of the late French linguist and member of the French Academy, Claude Brixhe.

The Cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus is a landmark of mythological significance, as it is associated with Homer's Odyssey. According to the myth, this is where the one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus lived, whom the cunning Odysseus blinded in order to escape. Although the connection of the site to the Homeric epic is not historically confirmed, the cave is an impressive natural attraction, offering visitors the chance to explore a landscape of particular geological value.

The Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis is a modern museum that houses finds from across the prefecture of Evros. Its museological approach allows visitors to understand the evolution of the area over time, from prehistory to late antiquity.

The Historical Museum of Alexandroupolis records and highlights the history of the city and its surroundings from its founding to modern times. Through exhibits, photographs, and documents, it presents the strategic importance of the city, its commercial activities, its connection to railway development, and its multicultural identity. Special reference is made to the period of Ottoman rule, the region's participation in national struggles, and its integration into the Greek state in 1920.

The Ecclesiastical Museum of Alexandroupolis is one of the most important museums of religious art in Thrace, showcasing the rich ecclesiastical heritage of the region. Housed in a historic building of the Metropolis of Alexandroupolis, it features an impressive collection of sacred relics, icons, vestments, and ecclesiastical utensils that testify to the deep connection of the area with the Orthodox Christian tradition. 

Particularly valuable are the post-Byzantine and Byzantine icons from churches and monasteries in Thrace, many of which were rescued by refugee populations during the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Additionally, the museum houses manuscripts and ecclesiastical books that reveal the spiritual and educational activities of the religious communities in the area.

The Natural History Museum of Maistros focuses on the rich biodiversity of Thrace, presenting exhibits related to the flora and fauna of the area. Special emphasis is placed on the Evros Delta and the Dadia Forest, which are significant wetlands of international importance. Through interactive presentations and educational programs, the museum contributes to raising public awareness of environmental conservation and the significance of protected areas.

The lighthouse of Alexandroupolis is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city and a symbol of its maritime history. It was constructed in 1880 by the French lighthouse lighting company and is one of the most important lighthouses in the Aegean. Its strategic location served maritime navigation in the Thracian Sea, and today it acts as a point of reference for both the residents and visitors of the city. Positioned along the coastal zone, it offers a unique view of the sea and is a popular destination for those wishing to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Traianoupolis was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD and became an important administrative and military center. Hana of Trajanopolis, also known as the Evrenos Bey Han, is one of the oldest Ottoman monuments in the Balkans. Built between 1370-90 by Ghazi Ahmed Evrenos, it served as a han, that is an inn (due to the road station), and behind Hana, during the Ottoman Empire, there were baths (hammams), now ruins dating back to the 16th century.