Autorin: Olha Tichonowa

FORTE CULTURA participated in Spain’s leading congress on fortifications, presenting its vision for sustainable cultural tourism and building new partnerships with national heritage organizations. The event marked an important step toward expanding the network’s activities in Southern Europe.

A Stronger Connection with Spain’s Fortification Heritage

From 5 to 8 November 2025, FORTE CULTURA took part in the VII Congreso de Fortificaciones y Patrimonio Militar, held in Valdepeñas (ES). The congress gathered experts, researchers, and heritage managers from across Spain to exchange knowledge on preservation, management, and innovation in fortification studies. Representing the European Cultural Route, Olha Tikhonova, scientific expert of FORTE CULTURA, delivered bilingual presentation slides and speech in English, introducing the network’s mission and its potential role in strengthening collaboration across the Iberian Peninsula.

In her talk (co-authored with Dirk Röder), Tikhonova presented a forward-looking perspective on the fortified landscapes of Southern Spain, emphasizing their historical depth, diversity, and potential for sustainable development through cultural tourism.

Spain, with more than 10,000 documented fortifications, was highlighted as one of Europe’s richest territories of fortified heritage. The presentation proposed the creation of regional clusters within the FORTE CULTURA network—especially in Campo de Gibraltar, Cádiz, Granada, Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga—that could connect local initiatives with broader European narratives.

The talk also addressed key legal and governance challenges, calling for more integrated heritage strategies and showcasing the value of digital tools—including 3D modeling, augmented reality, and virtual tours—for education, interpretation, and access.

“Through FORTE CULTURA, Spain’s fortresses can form part of a shared European story, linking local identities to a common cultural future.”

Olha Tichonowa

During the congress, FORTE CULTURA established contacts with representatives of three important fortification organizations in Spain:

• REFORT – Red de Fortificaciones de España
• Asociación de Amigos del Castillo de Montjuïc
• Associació de Castells Catalans i Edificis Singulars

These organizations expressed strong interest in joining FORTE CULTURA and collaborating on joint initiatives. The Associació de Castells Catalans, which includes legal expertise in castle-related matters, also publishes the journal Castrum and invited FORTE CULTURA members to contribute articles in English or Spanish. Such partnerships pave the way for new synergies between Spanish heritage professionals and the wider European fortification network.

The congress included a series of field visits, offering direct engagement with Spain’s historic and archaeological heritage:

• Cerro de las Cabezas Iberian Site and Interpretation Center
• BHELA Military Base “Coronel Sánchez Bilbao”
• Doña Berenguela Castle, currently under restoration
• Calatrava Vieja Castle, one of Spain’s medieval landmarks

These visits enriched the professional exchange and demonstrated the diversity and vitality of fortification preservation efforts in Spain.

Looking Ahead to La Línea de la Concepción 2026

The participation of FORTE CULTURA in the Valdepeñas congress marked a meaningful step toward building stronger connections in the Iberian Peninsula. Spanish experts have been invited to submit proposals for the upcoming FORTE CULTURA Congress in La Línea de la Concepción (April 2026) by 15 December 2025.

Through these growing collaborations, FORTE CULTURA continues its mission to connect fortified monuments, professionals, and communities—transforming Europe’s defensive heritage into a shared cultural route for peace, education, and sustainable development.

Olha Tikhonova presenting “Fortified Heritage in Southern Iberia: Toward a Sustainable Future with FORTE CULTURA” at the VII Congreso de Fortificaciones y Patrimonio Militar, Valdepeñas.

View of Calatrava Vieja Castle, one of the historic fortifications visited during the congress.

Delegates during the site visit to the Calatrava la Vieja castle.