Edited and Published by: Bohemian Switzerland P. B. C. České Švýcarsko o. p. s. Křinické náměstí 1169/10 407 46 Krásná Lípa, Czech Republic www.ceskesvycarsko.cz Content structure and graphic layout was created by Bohemian Switzerland P. B. C. Editorial work: Klára Mrkusová Content text was prepared by responsible project partners. Photos on front cover (from top to bottom, left to right): 1. Church of St. Nicholas in Bodružal, interior. Photo: Dušan Guzi 2. Church of St. Luke Evangelist in Tročany. Photo: Dušan Guzi 3. Lettnerkreuz in Benedictine Abbey Seckau. Photo: Severin Schneider OSB 4. Reformed church of Tiszacsécse. Photo: László Guti Photos on inner cover (from top to bottom, left to right): 1. Greek Catholic Catedral of St. John the Baptist in Prešov. Photo: Mária Žarnayová 2. Madonna from Chapel of Assumption of Virgin Mary in Česká Kamenice. Photo: Zdeněk Patzelt 3. Reformed church of Vámosoroszi, interior. Photo: László Guti 4. Benedictine Abbey Seckau, interior. Photo: Severin Schneider OSB 5. Fresco in Church of St. Francesco in Cassine. Photo: Archive of the Municipality of Casssine 6. Cross in Rynartice in Bohemian Switzerland. Photo:Václav Sojka 7. Christmas nativity scene detail from Šluknov St. Wenceslas Church. Photo: Eva Habel 8. St. Jacob Church in Česká Kamenice. Photo: Zdeněk Patzelt 9. Lipnica Murowana. Photo: Paweł Mierniczak © Thetris, 2013 Thetris Project Brochure 2 Contacts to Thetris project Lead Partner: Association of Municipalities in the Upper-Tisza Area, Hugary www.fehergyarmatkisterseg.hu on behalf of the Lead Partner: THEmatic Transnational Gabriella BIROVECZNÉ OLÁH church Route development [email protected] with the Involvement of local Society on behalf of the External Management Unit - ÉARDA Nonprofit Ltd.: Zsófia MÜNNICH [email protected] The PDF version of this brochure is possible to download on: www.thetris.eu This Project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF. St. Lambrecht, Steiermark Tourismus Schiffer Regional SWOT analyses of environment and community friendly tourism is focused on tangible and intangible culture seen as opportunity for fostering local development. heritage linked to the regional churches All analyses stress the opportunity offered by the development of a tourism inspired by key words like ‘spirituality’ and ‘nature’. Concerning routes Summary development the different stakeholder underline the Regional SWOT analyses were carried out on the importance for the route which will be implemented basis of four criteria, in order to make analyses in the project to be connected to other thematic and/ comparable. These four criteria were: socio­ or cultural itineraries, like for examples trails, cycling, ­economic context and entrepreneurship, routes paths and waterways in order to guarantee a higher and location, heritage and preservation, local visibility of the transnational route and to foster tourism identity and commitment. within the areas. Each partner, on the basis of regional working groups Shortage of public funding for the architectural heritage and of documentary studies, carried out regional preservation is regarded as one of the main threats, SWOT analyses to identify deeper strategies for as well as the occurrence of natural disasters (floods, cultural heritage preservation in the framework of the fires and earthquakes). The economic recession is development of a transnational church route. seen as an influencing factor for which concerns the maintenance of cultural and historical sites. The different analyses point out the richness of cultural and heritage sites (museums, castles, LAMORO Development Agency from Asti, Italy, fortresses, heritage buildings and archaeological project partner responsible for targeted analysis sites), the attractiveness of landscape and local environment, the presence of a strong cultural identity and of lively local traditions (festivals, races, plays, wine ‑and ‑food exhibitions and concerts). Among weaknesses, regional studies addressed the presence of poor marketing strategies, the difficulties in getting heritage preservation funding and also the lack of local awareness on the importance of promoting regional cultural heritage. Other weaknesses that are relevant for Thetris project are: inadequate tourist information, low quality standard of tourist services, heterogeneity or lack of signposting identifying routes or cultural sites. Also too much local thinking, individualism and lack of networking are counted among weakness as well as the high number of youth leaving their own region in search of better opportunities. Cultural and tradition based initiatives are seen as Museum by the Church of San Francesco in Cassine. opportunities to be explored and the development Photo: Archives of the Municipality of Cassine 1 Lead Partner 1 Association of Municipalities in the Upper­Tisza Area Reformed Church of Tiszacsécse outside Hungary Photo: László Guti www.fehergyarmatkisterseg.hu Focused area: Upper‑Tisza Area renovated from different EU funds; the main problem and Szatmár region is lack of networking, thinking in individualism of both sacred and secular cultural heritage preservation. Regional Working Group has 12 members who Consequently, there is no local tourism destination are experts on regional development of the local office or travel bureau to join force and provide more cultural heritage and provide us with support to make visibility for the cultural sites, to establish church analysis of the target area. There are management of routes, pilgrimage or other tourist routs, altogether Association of Municipalities in the Upper‑Tisza Area to raise public awareness of touristic values of the as coordinator; representatives of Fehérgyarmat City region. Due to the high emigration rate causing Council, Jósa András Museum, Szatmári Museum, low number of well-qualified labour force, regional Szabolcs‑Szatmár‑Bereg County Cultural Institute, knowledge management is absent to better manage Szatmár Leader Non-profit Association, Szatmári heritage sites and develop efficiently preservation and Szőke-Szamos Association, Zombor és Társa Ltd marketing strategies. Being peripheral area together as an expert in protection of historic buildings and the poor quality of roads to reach monuments regional representatives of four religions, as well as result lower number of guests and lower income of local sacred monuments. for municipalities and churches, as well. Summary analysis Heritage and Preservation SWOT The most and richest religious touristic values of the characteristics county enclosed by waters kept its characteristic image, mood, medieval built values and customs of Strengths the people living here. The small‑sized churches • Beautiful sacral monuments built in Gothic style of (some of them were awarded with Europe Nostra the Middle Ages or rebuilt later in the Renaissance Award) and a wooden bell towers, fancy cassette and Baroque, most of all are renovated and listed ceilings, painted galleries and colourful carved monuments pulpit crowns offer the uniqueness of the churches • Other pearls of the cultural heritage are the last active in the region. Additionally, literary and culture water mill of CE in Túristvándi and wonderful castles historic mementoes, beautiful nature offers many built in Classical style e.g. Luby Castle in Nagyar possibilities for relaxation and tourism, e.g. fishing, • Unique areas of natural beauty including nature canoeing or cycle tours. More than ten years ago parks of Szatmár‑Beregi Tájvédelmi Körzet, even regularly organized traditional events were launched numerous rivers emphasizing Tisza and Szamos over the region demonstrated the specific non- across the land material cultural heritage. • Regularly organized traditional events demonstrating the authentic regional cuisine and food, also However, most of the historic middle‑ages churches traditional art performances and handicraft connected and other cultural heritage have been already with Szatmár hospitality 2 • Hundreds of miles aerial cycle paths of 2 river • Difficulty in obtaining EU funds for actions and/or banks of Tisza and Szamos to approach sacred shortage of resources for heritage protection monuments Regional Church Route Weaknesses For the Regional Church Route seven medieval • Lack of networking, individualistic approach to the churches were selected. Although high percentage sacred cultural heritage preservation of people living in area exercise Reformed religion, • Lack of a local tourism destination office or travel it was very important for RWG that other religious bureau to join force and provide more visibility groups with smaller number of members are also for the cultural sites organizing church routes, represented in the Project Thetris. Consequently, four pilgrimage or other tourist routs Reformed, one Greek Catholic, one Roman Catholic • Due to the high emigration rate regional knowledge and one Lutheran sacred heritage join to create the management is absent Regional Church Route. All monuments can be easily • Being peripheral area together poor quality of roads reached from district centre Fehérgyarmat even on resulting in low number of guests road or via cycle paths on both river banks. • Lack of religious cultural traditions at sacral sites (e.g. celebrations of religious holidays, organ music concerts) Opportunities • Foundation of a regional tourism destination office allowing enhancement of Szatmár region along with sacral cultural heritage through