Cyril and Methodius Route

Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

EXPERIENCE | KNOWLEDGE | AWARENESS

Discover a profound, eleven-century-long impact
on the cultural history and cultural identity of the Slavs

Get to Know
the Cyril and Methodius Route

Exploration connected with movement in nature and visiting cultural sites nad institutions that preserve cultural heritage of the Slavs. Hike on the trails of the Route, discover cultural heritage of Cyril and Methodius or get acquainted with the Association. Then find out more information about this unique Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

Hiking Trails

Welcome to the Route with more than 5000 km of hiking trails.

Heritage Alive

Discover locations connected with Cyril and Methodius Cultural Heritage.

Association

European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius (ECRCM)

Prepare for Your Hiking along the Route

Prepare for your adventure! Whether you’re planning a day hike or a multi-day trek, careful preparation is key. Ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey along this historic path.

Help Us Enhance the Cyril and Methodius Route!

If you’ve explored the beautiful trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route and would like to share your experiences or information, we invite you to contribute to our tourism project! Your input can help us create a richer, more informative experience for future travelers.

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Explore Archaeologically and Culturally Significant Localites

Beyond the trails, discover a wealth of archaeologically and culturally significant sites that illuminate the legacy of Cyril and Methodius. From ancient basilicas and monasteries to medieval castles and open-air museums, these locations across Europe offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of the two saints and their enduring influence. Each site tells a unique story, enriching your understanding of this pivotal period in European history and culture. Begin your journey of discovery today!

Latest from Cyril and Methodius Route.

Are you interested in what has been happening on the Route? We provide you with news about cultural events, itineraries, conferences and workshops and much more. Scroll down with the mouse and click on any image below. You can check out the calendar of events which can be found in the main menu of the website.

International Scientific Meeting, on the topic: "The Thessalonian brothers Cyril and Methodius – equal to apostles and saints of literacy and education"

9th May 2025, Thessaloniki, Greece

On Friday, May 9, 2025, from 09:00 to 14:00, the International Scientific Meeting will take place at the Billi Mansion (Hippodromiou Square), on the topic: “The Thessalonian brothers Cyril and Methodius – equal to apostles and saints of literacy and education,” with the participation of scholars, educators, and students from Greece and Bulgaria. Through the presentations, the influence of the civilizing work of the Thessalonian Saints Cyril and Methodius on literature, the production of written texts, and education will be highlighted.

Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe was held in Skopje

16th April 2025, Skopje, North Macedonia

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe took place in Skopje on April 16th. The cultural routes in which North Macedonia participates – “Iter Vitis – Wine Cultural Route”, “European Route of Sts. Cyril and Methodius”, and “Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route” – were presented at the Forum. In his address, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Zoran Ljutkov, emphasized that the Forum offers an excellent opportunity for discussion and the exchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences with experts and participants from various fields for the future development of this sector.

Successful Inaugural Edition of the Cultural Routes Festival of Aquileia Celebrates Heritage and Paths

4th – 6th April 2025, Aquileia, Italy

The first edition of the Cultural Routes Festival of Aquileia concluded successfully after a vibrant three-day event held from April 4th to 6th, 2025. Organized by Fondazione Aquileia with the support of numerous institutional partners, the festival highlighted the rich cultural heritage and the significance of historical routes in the Aquileia region.

Dormition of St. Methodius

8th April 2025, Sofia, Bulgaria

On April 8, 2025 in the hall of the Czech Centre in Sofia, the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre marked the 1140th anniversary of the blessed dormition of St. Methodius. Among the distinguished guests at this academic event were Prof. Dr. Stelyan Shterionov, Vice President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Daniel Ivanov, Deputy Director of the National School for Ancient Languages and Cultures “St. Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher”, current and former colleagues from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Sofia University, as well as students, scholars, and members of the general public.

Focusing on ...

The Association focuses on different developing and sustainable activities. They are as a result presenting variety of the cultural heritage of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers.

Network of Slavic heritage

From the first Slavic script - Glagolitic - and the Old Slavic language to the present.

Network of locations

Interesting places connected with the spread of the Cyril and Methodius legacy.

Network of trails

Inspired by the journey of Slavic missionaries and their followers.

Network of events

Cultural and educational activities throughout the year.

Network of products

Tourism products - coordinated under the common logo of the Cyril and Methodius Route.

Network of institutions

Maintaining the heritage of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

The Essence of the Cyril and Methodius Heritage

The main focus of the Route is cultural ideas and cultural content. These were introduced by Cyril and Methodius during the mission they led primarily among the Slavs of Great Moravia from 863 to 868. (Their mission activities also included the Slavs of the polity of Lower Pannonia).

The mission led by Cyril and Methodius was undertaken as a response from Byzantine Emperor Michael III to the request of Duke Rastislav of Great Moravia. Firstly, introducing an intelligible language for the sacred and public use in that Slavic polity. Secondly, buttressing and strengthening Christian faith of their inhabitants. Cyril and Methodius, however, not only refined the Slavic vernacular (by supplementing vocabulary and grammar) to meet the needs of theological, philosophical, legislative, administrative, and literary discourse. In fact, they boldly went even further, with Constantine inventing a script tailored to fit the Slavic phonemic system – the Glagolitic script.

At the end of the 9th century, the Cyrillic script was created in the South Slavic lands. Most likely in the Bulgarian Khanate. While the Glagolitic script was still relatively widely used during the 11th century (especially within the Ohrid Literary School), from the 12th century onward the Cyrillic script prevailed. It served as the equivalent of the Greek alphabet for Slavs of the Eastern Rite, who lived in the civilizational and political environment of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Glagolitic script remained in use among Croatians, with the last Glagolitic text printed in 1927.