Council of Europe Recognizes Aeneas Route as 45th Cultural Itinerary

The Council of Europe, based in Luxembourg, has certified the Aeneas Route as its 45th Cultural Itinerary since 1987. The route, promoted by the Roman association of the same name, traces the journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas as narrated in Virgil's Aeneid, from Troy (Turkey) to Rome, crossing five countries (Turkey, Greece, Albania, Tunisia, Italy) and 21 main stops along the Mediterranean. In Italy, it touches six regions: Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Campania, Basilicata, and Lazio. Key archaeological sites include Castro in Puglia (landing point, sanctuary of Athena), the Hera Lacinia sanctuary in Crotone, Calabria (with a Doric temple from 470 BC), Drepanon (Trapani) in Sicily (where Anchises died and games were held), Palinuro in Campania (cenotaph of Aeneas's helmsman), the Sibyl's Cave at Cumae (entrance to the underworld), and Lavinium in Lazio (tomb of Aeneas). The association stated the itinerary supports values of the Mediterranean as a uniting sea, hospitality, and cultural mixing. The route aims to promote cultural heritage and tourism, strengthening European identity.