A journey through myth, history, and cultural heritage will come to life in The Route of Aeneas: Myth, Journey, Art and Cultural Heritage, a compelling exhibition by the Route of Aeneas Association. From 9 to 13 August 2025, MAHAL Sanat in Çanakkale will host this unique event as part of the 62nd International Festival of Troy — right on the very lands where Aeneas’ legendary odyssey began.
The exhibition celebrates two major milestones: the renewal of the route’s certification for 2025–2030 and the 14th Forum of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, to be held this year in Turkey. By previewing in Troy, the project gains a resonance that is both symbolic and deeply evocative, linking past and present in the place where the myth took root.
Curated by Association President Giovanni Cafiero and board member Dr. Sandra Gatti, the exhibition traces Aeneas’ escape from the burning city of Troy, his epic voyage across the Mediterranean, and his place in the founding myth of Rome. Visitors will encounter a rich tapestry of tangible and intangible heritage, revealing the enduring cultural legacy of this ancient hero.
The opening day, 9 August 2025, will feature an international round-table gathering prominent voices in archaeology, heritage, and innovation: President Giovanni Cafiero, Prof. Rüstem Aslan (Director of the Troy excavations), Dr. Sandra Gatti (Route of Aeneas Association), and Fabio Morotti (IULM University of Milan), who will present AIneid, a groundbreaking retelling of the Aeneas myth in the age of artificial intelligence. This exchange of ideas will shed new light on the Route of Aeneas as a singular chapter in Europe’s cultural history — enriching and amplifying the experience of the exhibition itself.
