Dear members and partners of FORTE CULTURA e.V., our European Network of the culture route fortified monuments,
2020 presented us with unprecedented challenges of a global crisis. Because networks are very important right now, many fortresses have joined our cultural route. So we start the new year stronger and full of hope.
We wish you, your colleagues and families a peaceful merry christmas, good health for 2021 as well as successful work for the unique cultural heritage of the fortified monuments.
Your network office
Network Information
Status of certification as a cultural route of the Council of Europe
At the end of July 2020, our network submitted the application for the certification of FORTE CULTURA� as a �Cultural Route of the Council of Europe� in Luxembourg. As part of the evaluation, we have since passed the first formal and content-related tests. The test report with a positive vote will now be submitted to the Council of Europe for decision in February.
Network Development 2020
The fortresses R�sselsheim, D�mitz, Grauerort, B�dingen (DE), Srebrna G�ra, Przemysl (PL) and the culture bunker Strausberg are the newest stops on our cultural route. New associate members are MRU Pniewo, Deblin (PL) and Medzhybizh (UA). Additionally, many well-known Euroean fortresses became associate members based on the cooperation agreement with the EFFORTS network.
Stop Corona - Handout for Fortresses
Already in May 2020, the FORTE CULTURA network office published a comprehensive information and strategy paper on how to deal with the effects of the corona pandemic on fortress monuments.
Unfortunately, our handout has not lost any of its topicality.
Study of the socio-economic impact of fortresses on cities and regions
As EFFORTS initiative, a first online survey will be carried out to collect data that will quantify the socio-economic impact of the fortress heritage in Europe. The survey is open until February 1, 2021. Please take part. More Information.
In cross-border cooperation, the Elbe fortresses Grauerort, D�mitz, Magdeburg, Torgau, Dresden, Pirna, Stolpen, K�nigstein, Terezin and Prague have developed and financed an image folder on the fortress heritage on the Elbe.
Our series "Fortress of the Week" presents until February all FORTE CULTURA stations.
FORTE CULTURA Guides
Certification program for Tour Guides
FORTE CULTURA guides offer very special insights into the fascinating fortress worlds on our cultural route. Whether in historical costumes, on underground paths or with exclusive content, the tours with certified guides are always an experience. You too can qualify as a tour guide with a FORTE CULTURA certificate.
The fortified ideal city of Terez�n (CZ), the fortress K�nigstein and FORTE CULTURA e.V. are organizing an international fortress conference in Terez�n as part of a cross-border funding project. From 13th to 15th April 2021 you can expect an exciting specialist program including the opening of the "Cultural Summer Elbe Fortresses" 2021.
Further dates to keep in mind for the first half of 2021
- January 27: International Holocaust Day
- April: European Fortress Day
- April to October: European Fortress Summer
- 350th birthday of Maximilian von Welsch (Architect) in Kronach
- April to October: Federal Garden Show 2020 in Erfurt
