Feasibility Study on the Maritime Heritage Route in the Baltic Sea Region
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Routes4U Feasibility Study on the Maritime Heritage Route in the Baltic Sea Region Routes4U Project Routes4U Feasibility study on the Maritime Heritage route in the Baltic Sea Region ROUTES4U FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE MARITIME HERITAGE ROUTE IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION May 2020 The present study has been developed in the framework of Routes4U, the joint programme between the Council of Europe and the European Commission (DG REGIO). Routes4U aims to foster regional development through the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme in the four EU macro-regions: the Adriatic and Ionian, Alpine, Baltic Sea and Danube Regions. A special thank you goes to the author Marianne Lehtimäki, and to the numerous partners and stakeholders who supported the study. The opinions expressed in this work are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Council of Europe. Cover photos: European Commission, Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho, Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 3.09], Kristian Pikner 2 | 30 www.coe.int/routes4u Routes4U Feasibility study on the Maritime Heritage route in the Baltic Sea Region MARITIME HERITAGE ROUTE IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION Content Executive summary ................................................................................................................... 4 STATE-OF-THE-ART OF THE MARITIME CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE BSR ............................... 6 Mare Nostrum ....................................................................................................................... 6 Key destinations for exploring the BSR maritime cultural heritage ................................ 8 Examples of outstanding maritime museums in BSR................................................................ 9 BSR coastal World Heritage Sites ........................................................................................ 12 Lighthouses as examples of maritime heritage in recreational use .......................................... 14 Diversity of other maritime attractions ............................................................................ 15 Baltic Sea underwater heritage and diving parks ................................................................... 16 Easier access to marine information .................................................................................... 17 Living maritime heritage .................................................................................................... 18 The Baltic Sea connects – from historic sea itineraries to popular ferries .................... 19 Sustainable travelling ........................................................................................................ 19 ACTORS, NETWORKS AND ORGANISATIONS ................................................................... 20 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................... 22 LITERATUR............................................................................................................................. 24 ANNEXES OF MARITIME HERITAGE ROUTE IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION ...................................... 25 Annex 1 Reference list of maritime attractions............................................................ 25 Annex 2 Ferry companies operating in the Baltic Sea ................................................. 28 Annex 3 Criteria for Council of Europe Cultural Route certification ........................... 29 3 | 30 www.coe.int/routes4u Routes4U Feasibility study on the Maritime Heritage route in the Baltic Sea Region EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The aim of the Joint Programme 2017-2020 between the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of Council of Europe (EPA) and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy in form of Routes4U project is to link Council of Europe cultural routes as tools for implementing macro-regional strategies. Thereby transnational cultural routes, heritage policies and practices could foster regional development. One of the core objectives is to enhance macro-regional identity. In the framework of the Routes4U Project and of its implementation in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), the maritime heritage was identified as one of the central themes. This study maps BSR maritime cultural heritage more comprehensively than national or type-specific listings. Annex 1 lists the presented sites. The aim is, as an overview, to show that the maritime cultural heritage of the BSR, including the underwater heritage of the Baltic Sea, have both diversity and unique significance. The study encourages developing this potential further as a macro-regional approach linking heritage, tourism and regional development. For this purpose, the study maps relevant BSR collaboration structures. By commissioning this study, the Routes4U Project enhances the development of a new cultural route, or routes, focusing on BSR maritime heritage, according to standards. This study assesses the feasibility of such a route by a review of existing sites and destinations related to the maritime heritage in the BSR countries. The Council of Europe criteria and are summarised in Annex 2. Besides, several existing Cultural Routes could explore the maritime heritage dimensions of their theme in order to promote cultural linkages and influences. The core theme of potential cultural route on maritime cultural heritage is justified for many reasons, which are shortly dealt in the following study: The Baltic Sea and its catchment areas have created a cultural region to promote The maritime heritage of the BSR is both common and shared heritage, and rich in diversity The potential of marketing the Baltic Sea as the underwater museum To inspire sustainable use of maritime heritage resources by tourism sector, creative industries and regional development actors The theme has relevance for increasing the visibility of the BSR as one entity At the Helsinki Consultation of the Routes4U Project, the Chair of the BRS Working Group on Underwater Heritage presented ideas of combining information and sites of historic ships, harbours, shipyards and maritime museums.1 For this study, three maritime categories have been selected for closer examination as their management agenda includes the sustainable promotion of both cultural heritage and tourism: Maritime museums World Heritage Sites in coastal areas Lighthouses as examples of maritime sites in recreational uses Furthermore, some other examples of maritime attractions show the variety and richness of the potential. The Baltic Seabed is rich in archaeological sites, among them countless wrecks, due to practical conservation conditions. The archaeological underwater findings cover the phases from prehistory up to today, if we perceive the Baltic Sea as one entity. Sea resorts, recreational seaside activities and festivals are only shortly dealt. These would need its review. In terms of sustainable travelling, it’s natural to promote ferries, leisure sailing as well as cycling and hiking trails. 1 Council of Europe, Consultation on Cultural Routes in the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). Creation of New Cultural Routes and Strengthening of Certified Cultural Routes, Helsinki, 2019. 4 | 30 www.coe.int/routes4u Routes4U Feasibility study on the Maritime Heritage route in the Baltic Sea Region The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) has three objectives, which represent the three key challenges it addresses: Saving the sea, Connecting the region and Increasing prosperity. The first objective focuses on achieving clear seawater, rich and healthy wildlife as well as cleaner and safer shipping. The second objective targets transportation, energy markets, infrastructure and combat cross-border crime. The third objective, to increase the prosperity of the BSR, acknowledge, among others, culture and tourism as a means for employment and regional development. The overall target of the EUSBSR PA Tourism is to establish a common and coherent BSR tourism destination, including actions as: Design tourism products and services for the BSR as a coherent destination Increase the number of jointly developed tourism strategy and policy documents focusing on more specific aspects of tourism in the BSR The Baltic Sea is, besides a common asset, our fundamental environmental concern. Due to its characteristics, the Baltic Sea is sensitive to changes. Its organisms are less resistant to stress than those organisms in the ocean of freshwater because they are affected by low salinity and cold winters. The development of a cultural route would enhance interest and responsible relations with the Baltic Sea and thereby contribute to joint efforts to safeguard the Baltic Sea. If we are to implement a culture of sustainable development with the efficiency required by the current global situation, we must be able to influence regional actions and actors as well as the behaviour of citizens. That requires awareness and a change of attitude. Here the Council of Europe’s cultural route can serve as an instrument to bring actors together and to raise cultural and environmental awareness and influence towards more sustainable policies. Cultural heritage is one key component in creating and implementing a culture of sustainability. Image 1: Baltic Sea is the Atlantic Ocean offshore, separated from the North Sea by the Kattegat Strait between Sweden and Denmark. The drainage area of the Baltic Sea is about four times larger than the Sea itself. Illustration credits