The Municipality of Kozani is implementing a series of initiatives to promote school tourism, creating a comprehensive framework for information and educational routes. In this context, a static digital page has been developed, linked via QR code, providing teachers and students with immediate access to excursion suggestions with a simple scan. At the same time, an interactive application with a map has been created, where all available points are displayed geographically, facilitating the planning of school trips. The material is complemented by digital and printed brochures presenting twelve key points of interest, with the potential to expand to cover the rest of the municipalitys sites.
Building on this digital infrastructure, the Municipality is developing strong content that allows children to explore Kozani through experiences of culture, nature, and local production. Students can discover iconic city locations, such as the Kovendareios Municipal Library, a space combining modern architecture with historical archives and childrens collections, as well as the Municipal Garden, a large organized green area for walking and learning about local flora.
A significant part of the educational routes focuses on the regions productive identity. Visits to the Kozani Saffron Producers Cooperatives help students learn firsthand about saffron cultivation and its history, while the Deer Park in Agios Dimitrios serves as a natural classroom where children can observe the environment and animals up close.
The historical and cultural dimension is strengthened through sites that narrate key chapters of the area. The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, set in an extensive outdoor space, allows students to learn history through exhibits, reenactments, and testimonies. Similarly, the Archaeological Museum of Aiani opens a window into the ancient world, presenting artifacts spanning from the Neolithic to the Roman period.
The experience continues in nature, with the Komnina Municipal Grove and the Polyfytos Lakes Environmental Education Center providing spaces for tours, observation of local biodiversity, and environmental education activities. At the same time, students engage with Kozanis living traditions, learning about customs such as the Lazarines, Momogeroi, and Carnival Lanternselements of intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO that form a core part of the local identity.
Through this network of initiatives, the Municipality of Kozani is creating a model of school tourism that goes beyond a simple educational visit, aiming to offer children an experiential introduction to the history, culture, environment, and daily life of the area. This strategy supports local development, increases visitation, and positions Kozani on the map of destinations that can provide meaningful educational experiences for students of all ages.
