T he modern traveler, pilgrim and visitor is invited to come into contact with these places of worship and asceticism in order to gain a deeper understanding of the orthodox tradition of the peoples of the southern Balkans. T he guides are a record of the monasteries on both sides of the borders between Greece, Albania, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria emphasizing their importance from an historical, architectural and artistic point of view.
E ach guide contains an equal number of proposed itineraries.
The first guide relates to Epirus, Western Macedonia and Southern Albania, the second to Central and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Southern Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia and Southern Bulgaria, while the third includes the islands of Crete, the Dodecanese, Samos, Chios and Lesbos. T hese same areas are the subjects of the three documentaries . These guides and documentaries aim to become living proof of a significant part of Europe - A Common Heritage. Hellenic Ministries of National Economy and Culture Implementing Body Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Directorate of Cultural Relations Department of International Organizations 1 Rethymnou Str.