Cultural Routes of the

Booklet for travellers What are the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

Since 1987, the Cultural Routes Key highlights of the Council of Europe promote ” the transnational dimension of • 30+ certi ed Cultural Routes of the European heritage, cultural co- Council of Europe operation and tourism. Cultural Routes support authentic, sus- • Over 60 countries crisscrossed by tainable and participative cultural Cultural Routes networks of shared values, in a spirit of dialogue and respect of • 2500+ network members, 1500+ local European identity and diversity. authorities (Enlarged Partial Agreement on 90% are in the rural areas Cultural Routes of the Council • of Europe) • 12% of local employment is linked to tourism • 1987: the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Pilgrim Routes became the rst Cultural Route of the Council of Europe The Cultural Routes of the Council of -Europe programme was launched in 1987 to • 2019: Carlos V European Award demonstrate, by means of a journey through • Key aims: space and time, how the heritage of the o promoting an understanding of di erent countries in Europe contributes to a European heritage and identity; shared cultural heritage. o enhancing inclusive cultural exchanges The programme acts as a channel for and tourism; -intercultural dialogue and promotes better o supporting local sustainable knowledge and understanding of European development; cultural identity, while preserving and o fostering active participation and enhancing natural and cultural heritage as a community engagement. source of cultural, social and local develop- ment. • Thematic clusters: o history and civilisations; In 2010, the Enlarged Partial Agreement o arts and architecture; on- Cultural Routes (EPA) was established to enable closer co-operation between Council o religious heritage; of Europe member states and certied and o landscape and handicrafts; candidate routes with a particular focus on o industrial and scienti c heritage. themes of symbolic importance for European values, history and culture, and the discovery • Cultural Routes serve the interests of of less well-known destinations. The European today’s travellers: exploration of less- Institute of Cultural Routes (Luxembourg) is known cultural identities and heritage; the technical agency of the programme urban lifestyles and rural landscapes; providing advice to the routes and candidate local arts and crafts; gastronomy. networks, organising training and promoting visibility of the routes. Certi ed Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes The Hansa Year: 1987 Theme: religious heritage Year: 1991 Theme: history and civilisations As one of the most important Christian pilgri- In the mid-13th century, German seafaring mages, the Way of St. James provides an intense merchants laid the basis of the Hanseatic human experience, creating a sense of League. Today, the network consists of 190 fraternity amongst travellers and a strong cities in 16 countries. The Hansa could be seen bond with the land. Each year, hundreds of as a medieval forerunner to the European thousands of travellers set out to make their Union, and thus constitutes an invaluable way to Santiago de Compostela. heritage from a common European past.

Viking Routes Via Francigena Year: 1993 Theme: history and civilisations Year: 1994 Theme: religious heritage The Viking Cultural Routes are a far-ranging, In 990 AD, Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, signicant collection of sites, stories and heri- travelled to Rome to meet Pope John XV. tage that represent the shared Viking legacy of Along the way, he recorded the 79 stages of the Europe and beyond. There are more than 60 journey in his diary. Travellers can rediscover sites on the route, including forts, towns, farms, this 1 800 km journey along the paths followed quarries, ships, museums and archaeological by the pilgrims en route to Rome and then remains. onward.

Routes of El legado andalusí Phoenicians’ Route Year: 1997 Theme: history and civilisations Year: 2003 Theme: history and civilisations In the 8th century, the Iberian Peninsula saw The route refers to the connection of the major the arrival of Arabs and Berbers, who mixed nautical routes used by the Phoenicians, since with the Roman-Visigoth inhabitants, engende- the 12th century BC, as essential routes for ring what was known as Al-Andalus. These trade and cultural communication in the routes bring back to life the heritage, literature, Mediterranean. It passes through all the arts, gastronomy, and traditions of this Mediterranean countries including many medieval Muslim civilisation. North African and Middle Eastern countries.

Pyrenean Iron Route European Mozart Ways Year: 2003 Theme: landscape and handicrafts Year: 2004 Theme: arts and architecture The Pyrenees region is rich in iron ore and has The route follows the footsteps of Wolfgang a centuries-old iron-making tradition. This Amadeus Mozart, one of the most inuential activity generated economic wealth and there gures in the history of music and western remains a great deal of evidence of its past culture, who spent a third of his life travelling glories. The route invites us to learn about the to enhance his education and establish transformation and commercialisation of iron contacts with other musicians. from the 17th to the late 19th century.

European Route of Jewish Heritage Saint Martin of Tours Route Year: 2004 Theme: religious heritage Year: 2005 Theme: religious heritage The European Jewish heritage is widely present Saint Martin of Tours is one of the most familiar across Europe. The route fosters understanding and recognisable Christian saints, who tirelessly and appreciation of religious artefacts as well as travelled around Europe, leaving a signicant those used in daily life and also recognises the imprint on our collective memory. The traveller essential role played by the Jewish people in can follow the routes that relate to episodes of European history. the saint’s life, cult or folklore. Cluniac Sites in Europe Routes of the Olive Tree Year: 2005 Theme: religious heritage Year: 2005 Theme: landscape and handicrafts Founded in the early 10th century by William The presence of the olive tree has marked not the Pious, the Benedictine Abbey in Cluny only the landscape but also the everyday lives of became a major centre of European the Mediterranean peoples. The routes follow civilisation, resulting in the emergence of in the footsteps of the Olive Tree Civilisation, over 1 800 sites throughout western Europe from Greece to the Black Sea through the entire Mediterranean basin. Via Regia Year: 2005 Theme: history and civilisations TRANSROMANICA - The Romanesque The Via Regia is the oldest and longest road Routes of European Heritage linking eastern and western Europe and dates Year: 2007 Theme: arts and architecture back to the early . Today, the route Around the year 1000, artists from all over Eu- connects 10 European countries and is 4 500 km rope were inspired by the Roman and early long. The route reects a rich heritage, ranging Christian traditions, giving birth to a unique from architectural heritage to traditions that architectural style: the Romanesque. Magnicent have shaped the European continent. cathedrals, peaceful monasteries and beautiful churches can all be found along this route. Iter Vitis Route Year: 2009 Theme: landscape and handicrafts European Route of Cistercian Abbeys Year: 2010 Theme: religious heritage The culture of the vine, winemaking and vini- cultural landscapes are an important part of From its origins in Burgundy in 1098, the European heritage. Travellers are invited to Cistercian Order grew rapidly throughout discover remote lands from the Caucasus Europe, bringing together some 750 abbeys through to western European vineyards and and 1 000 monasteries. Travellers are invited become familiar with the myths and symbols to discover the rich Cistercian legacy that is around this rich culture. still present at the heart of the Roman Church and European culture. European Cemeteries Route Prehistoric Rock Art Trails Year: 2010 Theme: arts and architecture Year: 2010 Theme: history and civilisations Cemeteries are part of our tangible heritage – Prehistoric rock art is art by the rst Europeans. their sculptures, engravings, and even their The rst major cultural, social and symbolic urban planning – including traditions and expression of humankind, it appeared in practices related to death. Travelling along this Europe 42 000 years ago and continued until route enables visitors to discover the local, the early Iron Age in some regions. More than national and the European cultural heritage 200 rock art sites are open to the public in that rests in cemeteries. Europe.

European Route of Historical Thermal Towns Route of Saint Olav Ways Year: 2010 Theme: arts and architecture Year: 2010 Theme: religious heritage Europe is home to many spa towns with unique Olav II Haraldsson, later known as Saint Olav, urban personalities, di erent styles of archi- was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. For tecture and di erent spa traditions built around centuries after his death, pilgrims made their bathing in or drinking the thermal waters. The way to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where spa culture, in all its variety, can be considered Saint Olav lies buried. This pilgrimage allows to be truly unique European heritage. travellers to experience the joy of simple things while following in the footsteps of pilgrims. European Route of Ceramics European Route of Megalithic Culture Year: 2012 Theme: landscape and handicrafts Year: 2013 Theme: history and civilisations The ceramics industry has contributed not Megalithic tombs, dolmens and other monu- only to Europe’s economic development but ments represent the oldest surviving indigenous also to its heritage and social history. The architecture in Europe. Europe has a vast mega- route helps visitors to discover what goes on lithic heritage, which can be explored not only behind the scenes of ceramics production through the monuments but also the manifold and o ers several hands-on opportunities. features of the surrounding landscape.

Huguenot and Waldensian Trail ATRIUM - Architecture of Totalitarian Year: 2013 Theme: religious heritage Regimes of the 20th Century in Europe’s Urban Memory In the 17th century, following the persecution of Huguenots and Waldensians, hundreds of Year: 2014 Theme: arts and architecture thousands sought refuge in the Protestant The route displays architecture or urban design lands of Europe and around the world. This deriving from a totalitarian period, often with approximately 2 000 km-long trail traces the strong connections to the regimes. It permits historical path taken during this exile. exploration of the sociological, ideological and geographical complexities of the history of totalitarian regimes through urban landscapes. Réseau Art Nouveau Network Year: 2014 Theme: arts and architecture Via Habsburg Appearing in the late 19th century, Art Nouveau Year: 2014 Theme: history and civilisations spread rapidly in Europe. Each country’s creative The 800-year history of the Habsburgs is pre- centres brought their own avour to the style. served in sites in western and central Europe. The route allows visitors to become aware of Palaces, castles, magnicent churches, monas- the dimension of Art Nouveau, its relationship teries and splendid museums show how this with nature, society, ecology and technical emblematic dynastic family shaped not only innovation. history but also art and, at the time of its decline, provoked the modernist revolt. Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route Year: 2015 Theme: history and civilisations European Routes of Emperor Charles V The route incorporates archaeological sites and Year: 2015 Theme: history and civilisations wine regions where wine was introduced in Charles of Habsburg is an important political, Roman times and which continue the tradition cultural and historical gure for many European of wine production. The experience high- countries. His presence and political heritage lights the introduction of Roman culture along can be found in many historical sites and at the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. cultural events such as historical re-enactments, art festivals, traditional markets and festivities. Destination In the Footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson Year: 2015 Theme: history and civilisations Year: 2015 Theme: arts and architecture Napoleon Bonaparte was a remarkable political leader who inuenced European and global The accounts of Robert Louis Stevenson’s travels a airs for more than a decade while he ruled in Europe are regarded as genuine ethnographic over . The Napoleonic era’s inuence descriptions of peoples and lands. As a writer, upon the cultural heritage of contemporary traveller, adventurer and idealist, Stevenson Europe includes sites, buildings, monuments, left his mark on the places he visited, from the works of art, as well as a vast intangible Lothian region in Scotland to the Fontainebleau heritage linked to the Napoleonic myth. Forest in France or the Antwerp region in Belgium. Forti ed Towns of the Grande Region Impressionisms Routes Year: 2016 Theme: arts and architecture Year: 2018 Theme: arts and architecture Few other regions have as many fortresses, The routes bring together major sites related dating from all periods of the Middle Ages to to impressionist painting: the places where the 20th century. Haughty citadels, spectacular painters such as Monet, Renoir or Toorop used bastions, impregnable forts and mysterious to live and that inspired them; the artistic underground spaces present an extraordi- colonies they founded or in which they nary richness of fortied architecture. participated; and the museums and cultural areas where their works are exhibited.

Via Charlemagne Iron Curtain Trail Year: 2018 Theme: history and civilisations Year: 2019 Theme: history and civilisations The route o ers an opportunity to follow in the The Iron Curtain Trail retraces the physical footsteps of Charlemagne, crowned western border stretching from the Barents Sea to the Emperor in the year 800 and considered to be Black Sea, which divided eastern and western the “father of Europe”. The route is historical, Europe for almost half a century following the cultural and religious, but also rich in myths and end of the Second World War. This 10 000 km- legends. It aims to raise awareness about shared long cyclable route combines sites linked to cultural history as the essence of a common the political, military and ideological barriers, European citizenship, in all its unity and covering 20 European countries and connecting diversity. many historic buildings, monuments, museums and landmarks.

European Route of Industrial Heritage Routes of Reformation Year: 2019 Theme: arts and architecture Year: 2019 Theme: religious heritage With over 1 800 locations in all European The route reects the legacy of movements countries, the route invites visitors to explore within Christianity all around Europe which the milestones in European industrial history. shared the will to change the religious insti- As places of a common European memory, they tutions and break with the status quo. This bear witness to scientic discoveries, techno- legacy includes historical sites, documents, logical innovation and workers' life histories. works of art, museums, culinary traditions, music, legends and celebrations.

Le Corbusier Destinations: Architectural Liberation Route Europe Promenades Year: 2019 Theme: history and civilisations Year: 2019 Theme: arts and architecture The route, connecting di erent European During his career, the renowned Swiss-French sites, regions and places of remembrance, architect, designer, writer and urban planner contributes to the memory and understand- Charles-Edouard Jeanneret – later called Le ing of the Second World War liberation from Corbusier – designed buildings throughout Nazi occupation and the conict’s long-last- the world. The route narrates the life and ing impact on Europe and its people. achievements of one of the major architects of the 20th century and encourages the traveller to discover Le Corbusier’s work and its inuence in Europe and beyond. How to get involved

Travelling Learning The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, The Cultural Routes include hundreds of with thousands of sites across Europe, o er educational programmes and learning an abundance of opportunities to become opportunities for people of all ages. The immersed in a rich, diverse and shared diversity of themes and types of activities go European heritage. The particular focus of the beyond traditional experiences of tourism. programme is to highlight less well-known By involving historical sites and cultural destinations, including many in rural areas. landscapes, together with the power of This allows visitors to gain new experiences, storytelling, cultural festivals and events, take part in authentic exchanges with local artworks and handicrafts, gastronomy and communities and discover tangible and traditional ways of life, the routes o er a truly intangible heritage across the continent. inspirational and immersive experience of knowledge-sharing across generations.

Community development Volunteering As 90% of the Cultural Routes cross rural areas, The Cultural Routes include thousands of sites largely away from over-visited tourist desti- and cultural events across Europe, resulting nations, the programme o ers a valuable in thousands of ways to be involved as contribution to local and regional development volunteers. We invite you to contact the based on authenticity and shared respect for Cultural Routes or sites near you to nd out the preservation of the local cultural and how to best contribute to heritage preserva- natural environment. Cultural tourism, pro- tion, organisation of events, educational moted by the routes, is an important source programmes, or enriching visitors’ experiences. of income and jobs.

Sustainable tourism Partnering The Cultural Routes o er fantastic opportunities The Cultural Routes are excellent partners for for environmentally conscious travellers to universities and other research and academic enjoy heritage sites and the lifestyles they institutions in the eld of preservation and reect at their own pace. The aim is to lower management of tangible and intangible the ecological footprint and promote a form heritage, tourism and regional development. of tourism that supports the sustainable Co-operation with Cultural Routes also development of local communities, while provides opportunities for organisations and protecting and promoting rural landscapes businesses to develop new products and and less well-known European destinations. services promoting sustainable tourism. "List of EPA Member States (ag, country, year of joining), observer states, other observers (EU, UNESCO, OECD, UNWTO) Contacts of the EPA/EIRC"

The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe are an invitation to travel and to discover the rich and diverse heritage of Europe by bringing people and places together in networks of shared history and heritage. The certi ed Cultural Routes cover a range of dierent themes, from architecture and landscape to religious inuences, from gastronomy and intangible heritage to the major gures of European art, music and literature.

Council of Europe Directorate General of Democracy F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France

Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Abbey of Neumünster 28 rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg Tel: +352 24 12 50

www.coe.int/routes

With the Support of

EUROPEA N / PREMS 056 820 Associations Routes / Cultural © Shutterstock Images credits: INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL ROUTES ENG

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