The Cultural Route “Connecting the Faces of Europe” aims to highlight the common cultural heritage of the Adriatic-Ionian area by following the stories of five personalities who played a critical role in the European history and influenced the cultural identity of the SMART HERITAGE partner regions: Evia – Greece, Forli – Italy, Albania, Mostar – Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gerace – Italy.
The Route is an opportunity to follow the footsteps of Hercules, Caterina Sforza, The Kosača family,and Roger I, learn their stories and the impact that their lives had on the history and cultural identity of their regions. The SMART Heritage project, through the Route and the digital applications, brings together highlights from every partner country to tell the story of Adriatic -Ionian culture and allow us to experience it.
Hercules
Hercules (known in Greek as Heracles or Herakles) or Alcaeus or Alcides, was an ancient mythical hero, and one of the best-known heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. He is a hero of global scope as his myths have spread throughout the world, making him one of the most popular Greek heroes. In classic mythology, Hercules was. an extraordinary man who often combines his courage and strength to overcome the difficulties in his life and to find his purpose in life by serving the community.
Hercules was selected to be the reference point of the Regional Unit of Evia as the ancient hero of Greek mythology, was found to be related with the area of Evia and the region of Central Greece, through the stories of his adventures and the archaeological remains found. His personality, legacy and adventures have influenced the local traditions and cultural heritage of the region, while local stories have their origins in Hercules’s adventures.
Dyrrachium
Dyrrachium was the grandson of Epidamnus, who was born to Melissa the daughter of Epidamnus with the hyun of the sea (Poseidon). Compared to his grandfather, Dyrrachium also has a semi-deified birth. Ragrding the discussion wether Epidamnus and Dyrrachium in antiquity were two different cities next to each other, or if it was a single city with two names, Stefan Bizantini writes that previously the name Dyrrachium was used for the peninsula where the city was originally built. Later, in second-hand construction, the lower harbor of the city known as Epidamnus was renamed Dyrrachium. Over time, after a coexistence of names, the name Dyrrachium became dominant (which may also be a reflection of a binomial cult of Epidamnus and Dyrrachium at the same time; further the name Dyrrachium became final.
The connection of Dyrrachium with Durrës is related to the very founding of the city, where according to mythology it was the battle between Epidamnus and Dyrrachium that decided who would be the owner of the city. Based on materials found in UNESCO and various sites about cultural heritage you will find it under the name of Dyrrachium / Dyrrachion, as well as you can also find it referred with its Ilyrian name as Dyrrahu.
But many Albanian and foreign scholars have much discussion whether the foundation of the today’s city of Durres, with so much potential of natural and cultural heritage, is dedicated to Dyrrachium himself or Epidamnus who is thought to have been his grandfather. Another discussion among historians is whether Epidamnus and Dyrrachium were two different cities next to each other, or if it was a single city and had two names, and later the toponym Dyrrachium became predominant.
Caterina Sforza
Caterina Sforza was born on an unspecified date, between 1462 and 1463, as the place where she saw the light, either Milan or Pavia. What is certain is that she was an illegitimate daughter, born from the union between the Duke of Milan, Galeazzo Maria Sforza, and the court favorite, the beautiful Lucrezia Landriani.
Although she was not born in Romagna, Caterina Sforza is historically considered one of the most important female figures of this land, so much so that she is defined “the great lady of Romagna” or even “the lioness of Romagna”. Beautiful, intelligent, energetic, she was one of the most well-known envied and admired women of her time.
The Kosača family
In the 15th century, the Kosača family ruled the area of Hum (Herzegovina) and was one of the most powerful noble families in the Kingdom of Bosnia. There are assumptions that the family was named after the village of Kosač near the Piva and Tara river. The influence and power of Kosača can be seen during the time of the first Bosnian king Tvrtko I.
With the accession of Jelena Gruba to the throne, the power of the nobility, both Hrvatinić and Pavlović, and Kosač was further strengthened. In this, but also in the following periods, the territorial expansion and political power of this noble family can be traced. It is not disputable that he is involved in higher political affairs, primarily referring to the conflict between Sigismund and Ladislav of Naples.
Roger I
Roger was born in Roger was born in Normandy in the House of Altavilla and arrived in Italy around 1057 to join his older brother, Robert Guiscard “il Guiscardo” with whom he had a long relationship of love and hate. In fact, Roger I joined his older brother Robert in Southern Italy to try to quell a rebellion in Calabria and thus strengthening the Norman dominion over the territory.
The story tells that Roger, besieged by his brother Robert at the castle of Miletus, escaped to Gerace to retreat to the castle of the city and to plan a counter-attack. Falling into the trap of Roger, Guiscard in 1061 arrives at Gerace and is captured here. In what is now called “Piazza del Tocco”, the long-awaited meeting between the two takes place: Roger must decide whether to forgive his brother or condemn him to death. Legend tells that Roger with a “touch” on his brother’s shoulder forgave him, putting an end to their differences and subdividing the cities and castles to be conquered. Gerace remained in Roger who takes up permanent residence in the castle and helped to increase the beauty of the city with the construction and modernization of churches and palaces. The city of Gerace is still one of the main Norman cities of Southern Italy. The presence of the Norman passage in the city of Gerace is evident.