ECCOFORT meets 12 fortifications in 6 Central European Countries

As a project partner, the European Cooperation Centre of Fortified Heritage reg.ass. -ECCOFORT- was responsible for the development of the culture route FORTE CULTURA and the belonging marketing instruments. As such ECCOFORT performed the first European Contact-Tour of FORTE CULTURA, which started with a big event during the Kostrzyn Fortress Days and with a salute from the historical canon, on 30th of August 2014. The representatives of FORTE CULTURA visited twelve fortresses and fortress cities in 6 European countries.

In each location contact meetings were held to promote the fortress tourism under the brand FORTE CULTURA. The fortresses offered an official reception with their mayors and formal representatives present. Press conferences with local, regional and specialized journalists were held, as well as with TV and broadcasting bodies. Furthermore, local programmes were completed by meetings with local and regional tour operators and strategic tourism partners. The development and the market implementation of the Culture Route FORTE CULTURA making great progress. The European Contact Tour 2014 was successful. A movie documents the tour.

Start event in Prussian Fortress System Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL)

During the public event of the start-meeting in Kostrzyn nad Odra, many people were interested in information about the culture route FORTE CULTURA, the travel programmes and the marketing articles.

Fortified Palace Ksiaz (PL)

The well managed beautiful fortified palace Ksiaz is located in Silesia, with many other interesting fortified monuments. The participation in the culture route FORTE CULTURA is the basis for the new sub label “Silesian Fortification”.

Prussian Fortress System Nysa (PL)

During the contact meeting in the Bastion Jadwiga in Nysa, the “Declaration of Interest” for participation in the tourist culture route FORTE CULTURA was signed by further Silesian fortification, represented by: Mr K. Niebora (Mayor of city Srebrna Gora) Mr A. Juszcnyk (Vice Mayor
of city Nysa) and Mrs J. Janik (Nyski Dom Kultury, Nysa).

Austrian Fortress System Olomouc (CZ)

The impressive Fort No. 17 (Křelov), a part of the fortress ring around Olomouc, was the place for
a cooperation meeting with fortress owners, experts and the representatives of city Olomouc. Fort Křelov offers a museum, restaurant and a pension. During the press conference the owner Mr Vit Cihal, Mr Papousek and the Vice mayor of city Olomouc, Mr Šnevajs expressed their interest in a participation in FORTE CULTURA.

Austrian Fortress System Komarom (HU)/Komarno (SK)

Fort Monostor Komarom, the active Hungarian partner in FORTE CULTURA, represented by the former director Istvan Varga, signed the cooperation agreement with FORTE CULTURA. Further Hungarian Fortifications participated in the meeting and planned to join FORTE CULTURA.

Fortified Ideal City Palmanova (IT)

Next tour destination was the impressive star shaped Fortified Ideal City Palmanova. During the meeting with the mayor Mr Martinez, Mrs Danielis, and Mrs Del Frate some points of future cooperation were discussed. The possibility of a participation under the FORTE CULTURA sub-label “Fortified Ideal Cites” awoke many interest.

Fortress System Venice (IT)

The famous lagoon city Venice is one of the tourism hotspots in the world. Forte Marghera, as exciting Austrian water fortress, offers a place for culture and recreation. FORTE CULTURA shall support more publicity and attention of the tourism stream to Venice.

Fortress System Verona (IT)

Warmly welcomed was FORTE CULTURA from the representatives of the Province of Verona and the city Verona. They explained their strong interest in adding the fortress tourism under the culture route FORTE CULTURA as an additional offer to the tourist markets.

Fortress Fortezza/ Franzensfeste (IT)

The beautiful Austrian fortress, directly beside the Brenner highway, on the Italian-Austrian border and European cycle way, signs also the “Declaration of Interest” for the participation in the culture route FORTE CULTURA.

Fortress Kufstein (AT)

Fortress Kufstein is partner of the FORTE CULTURA project and also interface to VIA IMPERIALIS, a tourist network for cultural heritage in Austria. During the contact meeting future cooperation on different ways were discussed.

Fortress Rosenberg, Kronach (DE)

A highlight of the European contact tour was the official public signing of a cooperation agreement between 5 Franconian fortresses and FORTE CULTURA in Kronach. They agreed a future cooperation under the brand “FORTE CULTURA – Franconian-Fortification”.

Fortress Königstein (DE)

Representatives of the fortifications along the Elbe River Dömitz, Magdeburg, Torgau, Pirna, Josefov (CZ) and from the fortress Königstein welcomed FORTE CULTURA in the wonderful mountain fortress Königstein. They agreed a future cooperation under the brand “FORTE CULTURA – Elbe-Fortification”.