The Academic Council of the Sultans Trail Foundation studies the many cultures and rich history along the Sultans Trail. To this end, the Council brings together scientists with a similar interest. Our Academic Collaboration page will show you the list of people and institutes we work with.

Members of the Council regularly come across academic research papers, with subjects related to our route, which are of interest to a wider audience. These papers and their authors can be found in the Academic Library of the Foundation.

Articles containing background information and other stories can be found on our In-Depth page. Read them, to get in the mood for your trip on the Sultans Trail!

The Academic Council is responsible for supervising the students who are doing an internship at the Sultans Trail Foundation. For more information, see: Internship

The Academic Council strives to organize international symposia, conferences, and meetings regularly.  The 2022 Symposium was titled “Close encounters between East and West” and took place on the 26th of August in Haarlem, NL. The next Symposium was organized in Ilok, Croatia on the 25th of October 2024 in close cooperation with our Croatian partners.

The Academic Council will organize the next symposium in Niš, Serbia, on 14-15 November 2025

Programme Symposium

Friday November 14, 2025

The Symposium starts in an auditorium of the University of Niš with an official opening session, followed by two main sessions. The separate elements are contributions (lectures) of about 20 minutes by speakers. Between those are short interventions for clarification, questions, and answers. At the end of the morning and afternoon session there will be a general discussion about all presented knowledge and opinions, with room for different views and -especially- for recommendations.

Opening session
Welcome by the Board of the Sultans Trail and opening by the Dean of the Faculty for Philosophy of the University of Niš.

 Art, culture and history in the region of the Sultans trail and South-Eastern Europe

Contributions about:
– “Cultural Heritage”: discovery, regeneration and preservation   
– Architect Sinan and the Imperial Road
– St George, fighting dragons or religious syncretism ?
– Along the present Trail, special cultural groups
– Muslims, Christians and Jews in the Ottoman empire
– 15-th Century roads to go from Belgrade to Constantinople

Tourism, slow and fast, surpassing pleasure ?

Contributions about:
–  The Sultans Trail, a European Route
– Tourism policies at the national level: the case of Serbia
– Tourism, Culture and Peace
– The Transformative power of Trails
– The Walk of Peace; Slovenia and Italy

Saturday, November 15, 2025

– Sessions with presentations of several routes and Trails.
– Comparison of experiences, lessons learned and shared challenges
– The need for European policies to promote trails
– New ideas for connecting Trails
– Conclusion and Recommendations

Speakers are coming from Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, Rumania, Slovenia and the Netherlands 

Welcome to “Unveiling the Sultans Trail,”

a dedicated platform where we delve into the rich historical and cultural heritage of the renowned Sultans Trail through in-depth academic interviews with leading scientists and historians. Our purpose is to illuminate the intricate tapestry woven by the trail’s storied past, offering a nuanced understanding of its significance from a scholarly perspective.

Through these engaging conversations, we explore a myriad of topics, including the architectural marvels, pivotal events, and cultural exchanges that have defined the Sultans Trail. These interviews not only shed light on the trail’s historical milestones but also examine its enduring impact on contemporary society.

Join us as we journey through time with experts who bring their extensive knowledge and passion to the forefront, unraveling the mysteries and narratives that make the Sultans Trail a remarkable historical corridor. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student, or simply curious about the past, our academic dialogues promise to enrich your understanding and appreciation of this fascinating trail.

Embark on this intellectual adventure with us and discover the profound stories that lie along the Sultans Trail, as told by the brilliant minds dedicated to preserving and interpreting its legacy.