The international north-south route is being built in stages to connect Klaipeda in Lithuania with Thessaloniki in Greece. It will pass through a number of cities that are worth visiting for various reasons. Here are some interesting ideas for making a stopover.
The official initiative to create the international ”north-south” Via Carpatia route appeared in 2006 and was announced in Lancut. The declaration of its creation was signed by the ministers of Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. In 2010, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece joined the project.
Via Carpatia will have the parameters of a freeway or expressway. It will connect Central Europe with Asia, run along the eastern border of the European Union and cross with the routes from Western Europe to Russia and the Black Sea. The Polish section of the road will be 760 kilometers long.
Lithuania’s window on the world – a city located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It has 172 thousand inhabitants. It is one of the largest seaports in the Baltic Sea with transshipment of over 36 million tons, fishing port and shipyard. There is also a university here. Klaipeda has a long history dating back to the 13th century connected with the influence of various religions. Almost 20% of the population is Russian minority.
The capital of Podlasie with 297,000 inhabitants. Located in the ”Green Lungs of Poland” area, adjacent to the Knyszynska Forest and Narwianski National Park. Apart from the possible contact with the beauty of the surrounding nature, Bialystok also has a rich history. One of its monuments is the Branicki Palace – one of the better preserved magnate residences from the Saxon era built by hetman Jan Klemens Branicki. There are also traces of many religions here – Catholic churches, but also Orthodox churches, as well as remnants of the religion and culture of Polish Jews.
A city with a population of 340,000, established at the crossroads of various cultures. It cherishes its traditions, which include the memory of the Union of Lublin and the establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Currently, it is one of the most thriving academic centers in Poland, which focuses on cultural development. It is worth visiting the city during regular events such as the “Night of Culture” in June or the “Jagiellonian Fair” in August.
A Slovak city famous for its multicultural tradition. It is currently home to 240,000 people. Apart from Slovaks, there are also Hungarians, Roma, Ukrainians and Czechs living here. The city consists of the historic downtown with buildings dating back to the 12th century and industrial districts around it.
The two-time capital of Hungary, with a population of 206,000 today. The city is currently divided into the center and the very popular spa area. The city is surrounded by extensive forests. There are traces of the activities of various religious associations – Calvinists, Catholics, and Greek Catholics.
Romania’s largest commercial port with 283,000 inhabitants. It has an ancient history – it was incorporated into the Roman Empire. Today it is a popular tourist destination
The capital of Bulgaria with 1.29 million inhabitants. Located in a picturesque mid-mountain basin at the foot of the Vitosha massif, it is blessed with a long history dating back to Roman times. There are also reminders of the Turkish rule, many remains connected with socialist realism and the history of Bulgarians
Greek port city on the Thessalonica Bay with 315 thousand inhabitants. It used to be a multicultural center, where next to the Greeks there were strong representations of Jews, Turks, Slavs and Armenians. There is a Mediterranean climate, although not far to the north there are areas with snowfall in winter, where there are ski resorts. The local monuments from Greek, Roman and Byzantine times are on the UNESCO World Heritage List
