Network initiatives

As European Cultural Route, FORTE CULTURA helps to preserve the important cultural heritage of fortified monuments and make it accessible to all people. The fortresses of many eras, once built as military defence structures, are now sites of peace and culture for all people. They tell the story of Europe and serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of countless wars.

EFFORTS - FORTE CULTURA, the largest fortress network in Europe, launched a joint initiative to support fortress sites in Ukraine in April 2022 in Terezín (CZ).

Thus, we symbolically declared our previously merely passive network member Mezhybizh Fortress a full member and will take over the annual contributions for an indefinite period of time. Through the upgrade, Mezhybizh Fortress became the first official station of the European Cultural Route FORTE CULTURA in Ukraine and has since been integrated into our brand tools and brand communication.

In addition, we network Ukrainian fortress sites with fortresses from the rest of Europe and beyond. In 2 online workshops with participants from a total of 12 countries so far, assistance measures were discussed and concrete cooperations were concluded, e.g. between the forts of Šibenik (HR) and Pidhirtsi (UA) or between forts of the West wall (DE) and the Arpad Line (UA). Further cooperations are in preparation, for example between Ivano-Frankivsk (UA) and 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

Please contact our network office if you would like to support our initiatives.

The effects of the corona pandemic have also hit fortresses particularly hard due to long forced closings, restrictive conditions for reopening and the continuing ban on events. In addition, investments are required to equip fortress locations for largely C19-safe conditions.

The European Fortress Tourism and Fortress Marketing Network has prepared a handout that analyzes C19 consequences for fortified monuments and offers solutions. (Download)

Furthermore, we developed a Online-Survey, to measure up the concrete consequences and taken measures in fortified monuments. In this way we want to make a contribution to pushing fortress tourism again, increasing the number of visitors and reducing the economic consequences of the crisis. We ask for your participation.

Fortifications are militarily designed buildings and have always been the focus of military conflicts. Also during World War II, which brought out huge fortifications and bunker systems with territorial fortification lines as the west wall, the Atlantic wall or the Odra-Warta-Line.

The end of World War II in 1945 in Europe took place in fiercely fought over fortifications of the 20th century but also in older fortifications which became the scene of events at the end of the war. The network initiative “75 years end of World War II in fortifications” emphasises on this part of history in fortresses. Educational and memorial events in European fortifications will look at historic events and contexts.

The following events are currently in preparation by network members and partners:

• 11th/12th January 2020 - "Operation North Wind" - Fortified monuments between Saar and Upper Rhine – series of shows, exhibitions and memorial events to remember the numerous victims of one of the last counteroffensives under the name “Operation North Wind” in January 1945 in Alsace

 

• 15th March 2020 - Walbourg (FR) - Opening of Museum for Fight and Liberation Northern Alsace
  - Musée Mémorial des Combats et de la Libération en Alsace du Nord -
  More than 462 square meter exhibition, 3400 artefacts, originating from Northern Alsace and border sectors as well as testimonies are presented to the public.

 

• 28th March 2020 - Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL): "75. Anniversary of the end of the battle for Küstrin"
  Commemorative ceremony, lectures on the history of the battle for Küstrin, opening of a weapons and armaments exhibition WWII, historical workshops and much more.

 

• 25th April 2020 - "Elbe Day" - Fortress city Torgau -
  Memorial Day on occasion of the first meeting of Russian and American troops on German ground on 25th April 1945

 

 

• 4th-8th May 2020 - Chat with witnesses of Second World War
  - An initiative of Europe Remembers and the Liberation Route Europe #IREMEMBER
  Meet eyewitnesses of Second World War live online. Talk to someone who was there.

 

 

• 8th May 2020 - "Koblenz in Second World War - Remembrance and Commemoration"
  Special tour on Fort Konstantin on the Victory in Europe Day, Exhibition "Koblenz in Second World War" with Archive educational offers

 

• 8th May 2020 - Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL): "75 Years Polish Küstrin"
  Piano concert Chopin F-mol

 

• Fortress Ehrenbreitstein - Fortress Fates
  Special tours: The fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz as a refuge and home of numerous families in the post-war period.

 

The network inititiave be carried out with:

In celebration of the European Cultural Heritage Year 2018 selected fortified monuments present, for the first time, their experience offers in an international joint action – “European Fortress Summer 2018”.

On 28 events in 18 fortresses in 9 countries the motto: "What once separated people, will connect them in the future. For a lively cultural heritage fortified monuments in a solidary, democratic and peaceful Europe. We are in!" was celebrated.

More information and our summary brochure