Koblenz (DE): Aktion Mensch inclusion project at the Kaiser Franz Fortress approved

"#1 Barrier less" is the name of the Aktion Mensch lottery funding programme, which supports inclusive projects up to €5,000. After FORTE CULTURA has already been able to realise two projects with the fortress town of Germersheim, a project with Koblenz has now also been approved. The "Kaiser Franz Fortress Park" in Koblenz-Lützel, which will open in May 2022, is to become even more barrier-free. Audio files and flyers in plain language are being developed to make the special history of the fortress city of Koblenz easily accessible to as many people as possible. The new content will soon be available via a circular route along the information points in the Kaiser Franz Fortress. The project is being carried out by FORTE CULTURA, together with the fortress city of Koblenz (Koblenz's own green space and funeral services), and is funded by Aktion Mensch.

Berlin (DE): FORTE CULTURA General Assembly 2022

Around 35 members and guests from 7 countries took part in the online general meeting. In addition to the detailed reports from the Executive Board and Scientific Advisory Board, our FORTE CULTURA stations were also able to report on the many activities and pioneering developments in their fortress monuments.

During an extraordinary election, Filippo Cailotto (IT) was confirmed as the new Vice-President Cultural Heritage by the General Assembly. He replaces Huibert Crijns (NL), who announced his resignation for personal reasons in the summer. At the request of the Executive Board, it was also decided to increase the FORTE CULTURA membership fees in two stages (2023 and 2024) (see new contribution regulations). We would like to thank all members for their trust and the good cooperation.

Jaroměř (CZ): The ideal fortress town of Josefov complements the FORTE CULTURA cluster of "Bohemian Fortresses" in the Czech Republic

Josefstadt Fortress is located in Jaroměř, in eastern Bohemia, near the Polish border at the confluence of the Aupa and Mettau rivers into the Elbe. It was built in 1780-87 by the Habsburgs against Prussia and renamed in memory of Emperor Joseph II (formerly Ples Fortress). The so-called twin city of Terezín (Theresienstadt) is also a fortified ideal city and, with an area of 289 hectares, is also one of the largest fortifications in Europe. In FORTE CULTURA, it complements both the cluster of "Elbe fortresses" and the new cluster of "Bohemian fortresses" with Terezín and Prague. (Photo: Karelj)

Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki (PL): Modlin Fortress becomes new FORTE CULTUTRA station in Poland

One of the largest fortresses in Europe now complements the FORTE CULTURA stations in Poland. The Modlin fortress system is located 30 minutes north of Warsaw at the strategically important confluence of the Vistula, Narew and Wkra rivers. The Swedish King Karl Gustav first utilised the advantage of the location in 1660 and built a fortified camp. Napoleon had a fortification system built from 1809, which fell to Russia in 1813 and was extended in several stages until 1915. Today, the Fundacja Nasza Historia is developing parts of the fortress for sustainable use. FORTE CULTURA travellers can look forward to an exciting location with many impressions.

Kaunas (LT): Closing of the European Fortress Summer 2022

Since the kick-off on 6 April at the FORTE CULTURA Fortress Conference in Terezín (CZ), around 100 fortress events in more than 15 countries have taken part in the European Fortress Summer 2022. The European Fortress Summer, powered by EFFORTS and FORTE CULTURA, now concluded in Kaunas at the EFFORTS Annual Congress. FORTE CULTURA presented the new Fortress summer video and the Ukrainian fortresses were symbolically honoured with this year's EFFORTS Award. The European Fortress Summer 2023 starts at the end of March in Šibenik (HR).

Kaunas (LT): EFFORTS Europe Annual Congress

As European Capital of Culture 2022, Kaunas was the venue for the EFFORTS Europe Annual Congress 2022. Fortress experts from 10 countries came together to talk about European cooperation and to find out about developments in the Kaunas fortress system in workshops. The European Fortress Summer 2022 also concluded in Kaunas. The EFFORTS Award 2022 was presented to Olha Tikhonova, representing the Ukrainian fortresses.

Terezín (CZ): The ideal fortress town of Terezín becomes the second FORTE CULTURA station in the Czech Republic

Terezín is one of around 50 fortified ideal towns in Europe. Terezín, named after Empress Maria Theresa, was built by the Habsburgs against Prussia in 1780-90 in the area where the Eger flows into the Elbe. The imposing, ideal fortress city with an underground mine system around 20 kilometres long is one of the largest fortresses in Europe. Terezín became sadly famous during the Second World War as a Nazi ghetto and prison. Today, the Small Fortress is a reminder of the dark past, while the fortress town represents the fortress with its military history.

Rastatt (DE): Rastatt Defence History Museum (WGM) becomes FORTE CULTURA Station on the Upper Rhine

The Rastatt Museum of Military History (WGM) is located in the south wing of the Residenzschloss in Rastatt and deals with modern German military history. Covering an area of around 1,500 square metres, the museum offers an overview of German, and in particular south-west German, military history from 1500 to 1918 and shows the connection between the military, state and society. Director Dr Alexander Jordan is also a member of the FORTE CULTURA Scientific Advisory Board. Rastatt was also one of 5 fortresses of the German Confederation, alongside Ulm, Mainz, Landau and Luxembourg.

Germersheim (DE): Another Aktion Mensch project breaks down barriers

Following the successful completion of the Aktion Mensch project "Durchblick - Germersheim Erkennen", Germersheim has now received a second grant to remove barriers and expand inclusive tourism offers in the fortress city. The project was applied for by FORTE CULTURA as part of the Aktion Mensch programme "# 1 Barrier Less", in which a non-profit organisation can reduce barriers at a cooperation partner (e.g. public institutions) as an applicant. In the project, two additional locations will be integrated into the tour for blind and visually impaired people and a flyer will be produced in Braille. Would you also like "#1 Barrier Less" in your fortress? Contact our network office!

Venice (IT): Conference Fortress Systems - from Border Places to European Cultural Corridors

Forte Marghera, located on the bridge to the lagoon city of Venice, provided a worthy setting for the conference, which brought together fortress experts from Italy, Finland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Spain, Belgium and Ukraine. The event, organised by the Fondazione Forte Marghera and supported by EFFORTS and FORTE CULTURA, offered best practices in the fields of fortress restoration, museology, tourism, digitalisation and much more. The conference was streamed live.

Venice (IT): Declaration on the establishment of the Joint Scientific Committee (JSC) of EFFORTS and FORTE CULTURA signed

EFFORTS and FORTE CULTURA form a great network of fortress monuments. But above all, this is a network of people, of experts from different fields of fortress heritage. When these experts come together and share their best practices and experiences, ground-breaking new ideas and project approaches emerge that contribute to the protection and sustainable use of the cultural heritage of fortified monuments. For this reason, a declaration to establish a Joint Scientific Committee (JSC) as a multidisciplinary pool of experts was signed during the conference at Forte Marghera. The centre of the new JSC of EFFORTS and FORTE CULTURA will be Forte Marghera.

Montenegro - Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina: FORTE CULTURA study tour successfully completed

This time, the exciting FORTE CULTURA study tour led by Dr Hans-Rudolf Neumann took us to the fascinating fortress heritage around the Bay of Kotor, with fortifications built by the Venetians, the Ottomans, the Habsburg monarchy, the Second World War and the Cold War. The fortresses in Trebinje, Herceg-Novi, Dubrovnik, Tivat and Budva were also visited. A study tour to Morocco is planned for 2023, registration deadline September 2022 (Photo: H.R.Neumann)

Brief report on the study tour

Alsace (FR): Tourisme Destination Alsace (ADT) becomes a FORTE CULTURA member

Alsace Destination Tourisme (AD) is the travel agency of the European Community of Alsace and is responsible for the development and promotion of tourism, especially in cross-border co-operation. Due to the chequered French and German history of Alsace, there are many fortified monuments in the region. Together with FORTE CULTURA, the ADT would like to further strengthen this cultural heritage and sustainably expand the already numerous tourist offers. ADT is also an important partner for the FORTE CULTURA cluster of fortresses in the Upper Rhine region.

Germersheim (DE): 5th symposium on the expansion of fortress cooperation on the Upper Rhine

Youth exchange and inclusion was the theme of this year's symposium on the Upper Rhine. A good 30 representatives of the Upper Rhine fortress monuments gathered in the town hall of the fortress town of Germersheim to find out about project ideas, funding opportunities and best practices in the field of youth encounters and inclusion. Based on the exciting presentations, the participants then developed their own ideas for the implementation of inclusive programmes and youth encounters in their fortress monuments in a workshop. Report (PDF)

Banja Luka (BA): Final conference of the FORTITUDE project

The Interreg - IPA CBC project FORTITUDE reached its crowning conclusion in Bosnia. The event presented the outstanding results of the project partners in the field of regional and cross-border developments for fortress tourism. FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS, who led the 2021 expert workshop on heritage digitisation and promotion in Karlovac (HR) as part of the project, also presented their networks and signed a letter of intent for future cooperation with the fortresses in Sibenik, Banka Luka, Karlovac and Bar.

Germersheim (DE): Festival tour for blind and visually impaired people established

As part of a project funded by Aktion Mensch in the "#1 Barrier less" programme, a fortress tour for blind and visually impaired people was set up in collaboration with FORTE CULTURA. The circular route leads through the most striking part of the fortress town of Germersheim and is equipped with tactile signs in Braille. In addition, a QR code enables explanatory audio files to be played for each location.

Other fortress locations in Germany can also break down barriers this year with FORTE CULTURA and the Aktion Mensch programme. Further information is available from the network office.

Armenia: FORTE CULTURA study tour successfully completed

Originally planned for 2020, the FORTE CULTURA study tour with Dr Hans-Rudolf Neumann could only be carried out now due to the pandemic. The study tour led from Yerevan to Ambered, Dashtadem, Gyumri, Vandzor, Lori, Haghpat, Dilijan, Sevan, Bjni, Yeghegis, Tatev and back via Smataberd. Armenia's fortress heritage dates back to the Christian religious struggle against the neighbouring religions, including fortified monasteries, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Photo: H.R.Neumann)

Medzhybizh (UA): Medzhybizh Fortress becomes the first FORTE CULTURA station in Ukraine

FORTE CULTURA declares the Ukrainian fortress Medzhybizh a full member of the network during the international symposium in Terezín. The fortress on the banks of the Bug River was previously a passive network member. The upgrade means that Medzhybizh is now the first official stop on the European Cultural Route in Ukraine. Membership is free of charge for an indefinite period. FORTE CULTURA is thus sending a signal of solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

Terezín (CZ): European Fortress Summer 2022 opens

The European Fortress Summer 2022 was opened with cannon volleys during the International Fortress Conference in Terezín. Until the closing event on 5 October in Kaunas (LT), over 200 exciting events will take place in European fortresses. Register your event for the European Fortress Summer free of charge: EFS Event Registration.

Terezín (CZ): International fortress conference successfully held

From 5-7 April, fortress experts from 7 countries met in the fortress city of Terezín to discuss the topic "Common European Cultural Heritage Fortified Monuments - Initiatives for Transnational Cooperation and Networking". The aim of the conference was to draw attention to today's challenges for the cultural heritage of fortified monuments and to present best practices in cross-border cooperation, projects and networking. The fortress conference was part of a cross-border funding project in the Euroregion Elbe/Labe DE-CZ. The project partners are Terezín - město změny, Festung Königstein gGmbH and the FORTE CULTURA network. Results Terezin 2022

Wroclaw (PL): FORTE CULTURA at the tourism fair

From 4-6 March, the Targi Turystyki International Tourism Fair took place in the stadium in Wroclaw (PL). FORTE CULTURA was present at the Königstein Fortress stand as well as at the joint stand of Seelow-Kostrzyn nad Odra and was able to inspire many guests for the diverse stations of our cultural route, especially in Poland. The FORTE CULTURA flyer and the network flyer were reprinted in Polish for this purpose. Check out the opportunities to present your fortress and FORTE CULTURA at regional tourism fairs.

Hatten (FR): Musée de l'Abri de Hatten becomes new FORTE CULTURA centre in Alsace

The Abri de Hatten is located in Hatten in Alsace, approx. 50 km from Strasbourg and 40 km from Karlsruhe. Abri means shelter, which is a bit of an understatement for a bunker of the Maginot Line, which was designed for 220 men. The Musée de l'Abri dedicates its 28 exhibition rooms to the moving local history and in particular the Battle of Hatten in January 1944. In addition to the bunker and other exhibition buildings, the museum grounds are home to the Forest of Remembrance memorial and a rich collection of military equipment and vehicles from 1939 to the present day, categorised according to their country of origin. Since March 2022, the Musée de l'Abri de Hatten has enriched the diverse fortress landscape of the European cultural route FORTE CULTURA.

Germersheim (DE): Aktion Mensch project "#1 Barrier less" approved

In partnership with the town of Germersheim, FORTE CULTURA has received a grant of €5,000 from Aktion Mensch. As part of the campaign #1 Barrier less The aim of the project is to make Germersheim Fortress more accessible to blind and visually impaired people. The aim of the project is to signpost a circular route with Braille around the Weissenburg Gate. The circular route is due to be inaugurated in April 2022. Further information can be found in the Germersheim City Gazette.

Would you also like "#1 barrier less" in your fortress? Contact our network office!

Prague (CZ): Vyšehrad Fortress becomes FORTE CULTURA station in Prague

The Prague Vyšehrad National Cultural Monument becomes the first FORTE CULTURA member in the Czech Republic. The fortress above the Vltava River offers a beautiful view over the Czech capital as well as a museum, a cathedral and many leisure activities. Prague Vyšehrad was already involved in the activities of the FORTE CULTURA regional cluster of Elbe fortresses and now wants to enjoy all the benefits of membership as a fully-fledged station on the cultural route.

Cochem (DE): Bundesbank bunker as new FORTE CULTURA station on the Moselle

The Bundesbank bunker in Cochem was a carefully guarded and camouflaged secret of the FRG for decades. During the Cold War, 15 billion Deutschmarks were stored here on around 1,500 square metres as secret emergency currency for emergencies. Since 2016, the former nuclear defence bunker has been an exciting museum of German history during the Cold War, run by Reuter & Reuter GbR. Since January 2022, the Bundesbank bunker in Cochem has complemented the fascinating fortress world of the European cultural route FORTE CULTURA.

Bellheim (DE): Queichlinie strengthens FORTE CULTURA regional network on the Upper Rhine

Now that the municipality of Bellheim has joined the FORTE CULTURA network, a large section of the Queich line has become a new stop on the European Cultural Route. The Queich is a small river that rises in the Palatinate Forest and flows into the Rhine near Germersheim. In the 18th century, the Queich lines were built as field fortifications during the War of the Austrian Succession. They stretched a good 30 kilometres along the Queich from Annweiler via Landau to the Rhine at Germersheim. Some of them are still preserved and are popular destinations for excursions, organised by the Bellheim Cultural Association.