FORTE CULTURA Network

Fortifications at Risk Conference, Portsmouth (UK)
2025-09-05 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) | Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, Gunners Way, Gosport, PO12 4DS, United Kingdom
As part of FSG’s 50th anniversary programme, we are hosting a one-day conference in Portsmouth to explore the challenges and opportunities for the conservation and sustainable re-use of forts and related ex-military sites. We will be seeking to highlight and celebrate UK and international success stories and best practice in conservation and re-use of fortifications to encourage those responsible for sites at risk.

FORTIC International Scientific Conference - NP Brijuni (HR), 15 - 17 September 2025
2025-09-15 00:00 - 2025-09-17 23:59
Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, in cooperation with the FORTIC partnership consortium and international expert networks, is organising an international scientific conference entitled “FORTIFIED ARCHITECTURE FOR THE CULTURE OF PEACE – EUROPEAN BEST PRACTICE IN FORTIFIED HERITAGE MANAGEMENT”, which will take place in Brijuni National Park from 15 to 17 September 2025.

The organisers, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula in cooperation with the FORTIC partnership consortium and the international networks FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS, are seeking abstracts of papers (max. 500 words) on the above or similar topics that are clearly related to the overall theme and objectives of the conference. You are invited to submit your proposals in English, including the name(s) of the author(s), professional affiliation, contact information, title of the paper, abstract and up to eight keywords (via the submission form).

Deadline for extended abstracts: 30 April 2025Deadline for full papers: 1 September 2025

Further information and the full text of the call for papers can be found on the organiser’s website.

DGF Conference 2025, Stade (DE)
2025-09-19 08:00 - 2025-09-21 17:00 | Festung Grauerort, Schanzenstraße 52, Stade, 21683, Germany
The German Society for Fortress Research (DGF) will meet in Stade from 19 to 21 September 2025. The theme of this year’s conference is: Coastal fortifications on the North and Baltic Seas until 1918.

All further information can be found on the organiser’s website.

VII International Congress on Fortification. Valdepeñas 2025 (ES)
2025-11-05 00:00 - 2025-11-08 23:59 | Valdepeñas, Valdepeñas, 13300, Spain
The National University of Distance Education (UNED) at its provincial center in Ciudad Real and the Association of Friends of Montjuïc Castle (AACM) / Reforte are calling for inviting for the VII International Congress on Fortifications and Military Heritage to celebrate in Valdepeñas, November 5-8, 2025.

The conference will be held at the UNED Associated Center of Ciudad Real in Valdepeñas. The topics are the usual ones related to fortification and military heritage, included in different historical chronologies and within both national and international geographical frameworks. More information you will find on the event website.

Key dates:

Abstract submission: until July 31

Acceptance of abstracts: August 15

EFFORTS Europe Congress 2025 'Inspiring across borders'
2025-12-02 00:00 - 2025-12-04 23:59 | Brussels
We invite you to the first cross-border annual EFFORTS travelling network congress: meet three cities in three countries and their fortified city development :

Arras (member of the UNESCO Réseau des Sites majeurs de Vauban – FR),

Bergen op Zoom (member city of Zuiderwaterlinie and Vereniging van Nederlandse Vestingsteden – NL)

Oudenaarde (member city of Vlaamse Vestingsteden and the Wellington Barrier City Cooperation, BE).

Connecting the three cities in a two-day travelling congress departing from Brussels, participants are invited to interact with city-planners and heritage experts working on a sustainable reuse of their fortified heritage and this in a European cross-border project space.

REGISTER NOW

The congress is free of charge for EFFORTS Europe members, courtesy of the participating cities and regional partners. Evening dinners are at own expense and participants are to organise hotels in Brussels themselves.

In cooperation with the cities of Arras (FR), Bergen op Zoom (NL) and Oudenaarde (BE)

FORTE CULTURA Online Member Meeting 2025 (OMM)
2025-12-16 09:30 - 13:00 | Online
The OMM is an opportunity for our members to connect with each other and get to know each other better. It serves to give you a platform to present your current activities and upcoming challenges to our network. Each registered network member will have a maximum of 10 minutes to do so. You are welcome to use videos and other presentation formats.

Take advantage of this opportunity to find ideas and partners for your projects. Do you have specific questions? Address them directly to our members, the network board or the scientific advisory board.

To ensure that everything runs smoothly, please register by email by 15 December at the latest, providing the following information:

Name

Institute

Would you like to present your fortress monument? Yes / No.(The presentation should be in English)

The first-come, first-served principle applies for the approx. 20 presentation slots.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

FORTMED 2026, Rome (IT)
2026-02-19 00:00 - 2026-02-21 23:59
FORTIFICATIONS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN COASTInternational Conference – Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

FORTMED 2026_Roma is the ninth edition of the Conference Fortications of the Mediterranean Coast. The Conference, organized by the Department of History, Representation and Restoration of Architecture at Sapienza University of Rome, will take place on February 19, 20, and 21, 2026, at the new location of the Faculty of Architecture in Via Mariano Fortuny, in the Borghetto Flaminio area.

CALL FOR PAPER FORTMED_2026 ENDownload

Seminar "Cold War Bunkers – fortress heritage of the 20th century"
2026-03-21 09:30 - 16:00 | Culture Bunker Strausberg, Garzauer Str. 20, Strausberg, 15344, Germany
After the Cold War, it seemed that a number of structures might become redundant. These included various types of bunkers, particularly government and state bunkers. Not only were they expensive to build, but their maintenance also cost millions. Due to the new geopolitical situation, it was believed that these structures could be dispensed with – especially in formerly divided Germany, where protective structures had been built for the same purpose, but in duplicate.

In the past, the state and subordinate authorities disposed of this burden in a variety of ways. If buyers could be found, the bunkers were sold. Those that could not be sold were stripped and sealed. The former government bunker in the Ahr Valley was converted into a tunnel; part of it was preserved as a museum. The Soratte bunker north of Rome suffered a similar fate. Once built to house the Italian government, it faced an uncertain future after its abandonment until it was purchased by the neighbouring municipality of St. Oreste with the aim of turning it into a museum.

However, with the outbreak of Russia’s war of aggression and the experience gained so far, a new debate has flared up as to whether dealing with this bunkered heritage is still appropriate in today’s world. Once again, the question of protection and security for human survival arises.The seminar will use four examples to illustrate the conversion of state-relevant bunker structures and the problems associated with them.

Programme:

The role of 20th-century fortifications in the European Cultural Route FORTE CULTURA

Federal Bank Bunker, Cochem (DE)

Ahrtal Government Bunker Documentation Centre (DE)

Soratte Government Bunker St’Oreste (IT)

Post Office Bunker Strausberg (DE)

Lunch

Tour of the Strausberg postal bunker

INTERFEST Annual Congress 2026, Dresden (DE)
2026-04-15 00:00 - 2026-04-19 23:59 | Dresden, Brühlsche Terrasse, Dresden, 01067, Germany
Jahrestreffen des Studienkreises für internationales Festungs-, Militär- und Schutzbauwesen (INTERFEST).

7th International Biehler Fort Conference, Berlin-Kostrzyn-Międzyrzeck (DE-PL)
2026-04-19 00:00 - 2026-04-25 23:59
We are pleased to invite you to the seventh Biehler Forts Conference, which will be held from 19–25 April 2026.

This year, we will meet in three locations:

19. – 21.04.2026 – Berlin (DE)

21. – 23.04.2026 – Kostrzyn nad Odrą (PL)

23. – 25.04.2026 – Międzyrzecki Rejon Umocniony (Oder-Warthe-Bogen Fortress Front), PL

We will arrive in Berlin on Sunday, 19 April 2026, beginning our program with a tour of Spandau (Spandau Zitadelle). In the evening, we will meet for informal networking and a shared dinner. The conference will conclude on Saturday, 25 April 2026. However, for those interested, an optional additional program will be organized for Sunday, 26 April 2026.

In Berlin, among other activities, we plan to visit Flakturm Humboldthain, with two route options:

Advanced tour – approx. 4 hours

Standard tour – approx. 2 hours

Due to limited capacity, advance registration is required by 31 January 2026 (strict deadline).

Registration

Conference registration deadline: 8 February 2026

Submission of presentations: 8 February 2026

Detailed program and logistical information will be provided on the event website: https://biehlerforts.pythonanywhere.com/

We have tentatively arranged accommodation options in each location at a cost of 100–150 PLN per person per night (approx. 25 EUR).

With warm regards,Biehler Forts Conference Organizing Committee 2026

FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026, La Línea de la Concepción (ES)
2026-04-21 00:00 - 2026-04-24 23:59 | La Línea de la Concepción, La Línea de la Concepción, Spain
“From Cádiz to Europe: Fortifications and Sustainable Tourism”

FORTE CULTURA General Assembly 2026

FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026 “From Cádiz to Europe: Fortifications and Sustainable Tourism”

Excursions to La Línea de la Concepción, Cádiz, Tarifa and probably Gibraltar

Exchange and get together

Context and Motivation

European fortified heritage is increasingly recognised not only as a testimony of shared history, but also as a strategic resource for sustainable territorial development. In border regions in particular, fortifications embody layered identities, military histories, and longstanding interactions between communities, states, and cultures. La Línea de la Concepción, located at the southern gateway of Europe and in direct dialogue with Gibraltar, Morocco and the wider Mediterranean context, offers a highly relevant setting to reflect on the contemporary role of fortifications. Its defensive systems illustrate how military architecture has shaped landscapes, urban development, and cross-border relations. Today, these assets raise key questions related to governance, cooperation, inclusion, and sustainable tourism development.

The FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026 builds on the outcomes of previous editions and positions itself within a broader European perspective. It aims to explore how fortified heritage can function as a platform for networking and cooperation across regions and borders, while reinforcing the role of communities and interpretation in shaping meaningful, sustainable visitor experiences.

Fortifications, Networks, and European Cultural Routes

Networking and critical mass are strategic priorities for FORTE CULTURA. Isolated sites, regardless of their individual value, struggle to address contemporary challenges alone. Networks, clusters, and European frameworks offer a scalable and resilient model. In this context, the Congress will highlight the relevance of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as an operational framework for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and visibility. Fortified heritage, by its very nature transnational, is particularly suited to crossborder narratives and shared thematic approaches. Regional networks and cross-border clusters will be discussed as tools to:

articulate shared values linked to democracy, peace, and cultural diversity.

strengthen institutional cooperation,

improve access to European funding,

develop coherent tourism products, and

articulate shared values linked to democracy, peace, and cultural diversity.

Congress Objectives

The FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026 aims to:

Share methodologies and practices related to creative tourism and participatoryapproaches in fortified sites.

Reinforce the strategic role of networks and clusters in the sustainable developmentof fortified heritage.

Explore community involvement and inclusion as prerequisites for sustainabletourism strategies.

Position heritage interpretation as a key driver for education, awareness, and longtermvalue creation.

Key Themes and Sessions

The Congress will address the following interconnected themes:

Networks, Clusters, and Governance ModelsInstitutional frameworks and governance structures that enable cooperation at local, regional, and European levels.

Fortifications and Sustainable Cultural TourismDevelopment of tourism models that respect carrying capacity, authenticity, and local identity.

Heritage Interpretation as a Strategic ToolInterpretation as a bridge between heritage, communities, and visitors, with a focus on education, awareness, and innovative teaching methods.

Community Involvement and InclusionParticipatory approaches that empower local communities, schools, associations, and creative actors in shaping tourism narratives.

Creative Tourism and Experiential ModelsFrom passive visitation to active engagement, fostering meaningful encounters with heritage through creativity and co-creation.

Expected Outcomes

The Congress is expected to deliver:

A shared understanding of heritage interpretation as a cornerstone of sustainable tourism in fortified sites.

Concrete examples of cross-border and regional cooperation applicable across Europe.

Strategic inputs supporting FORTE CULTURA’s long-term objectives, including European certification processes and project development.

Strengthened links between FORTE CULTURA members, Cultural Routes, and partner institutions.

Focus on Education, Awareness, and Participatory Approaches

A dedicated focus will be placed on education-oriented practices, including:

innovative teaching methods linked to fortified heritage,

collaboration with schools, universities, and training institutions,

interpretation tools addressing diverse audiences and inclusive narratives.

This approach reinforces the idea of fortified sites as living cultural infrastructures rather than static monuments.

Participants and Stakeholders

The Congress will bring together:

Community organisations, creatives, and civil society actors.

Managers and professionals of fortified heritage sites,

Local and regional authorities,

Cultural Routes and European networks,

Researchers, educators, and interpreters,

Community organisations, creatives, and civil society actors.

Conclusion

The FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026 in La Línea de la Concepción aims to connect local realities with a broader European vision. By focusing on networks, cross-border cooperation, and heritage interpretation, the Congress will reaffirm fortified heritage as a strategic asset for sustainable tourism, community engagement, and European cohesion. From La Línea to Europe, fortifications become not only witnesses of the past, but active contributors to a more inclusive, informed, and sustainable future.

Preliminary Programme

Tuesday, 21 April

Venue: Congress Center & Hotel “Ohtels Campo de Gibraltar”, Av. Príncipe de Asturias, 11300 La Línea de la Concepción

09.30 FORTE CUTURA General Assembly 2025 (for members and invited guests)

14.00 Lunch

16.00 Site visits in La Línea de la Concepción

16.00 Workshop FORTE CULTURA Fortress Routes Andalusia (for regional stakeholder)

20.00 Dinner

Wednesday, 22 April

Venue: Congress Center & Hotel “Ohtels Campo de Gibraltar”, Av. Príncipe de Asturias, 11300 La Línea de la Concepción

09.00 FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026

14.00 Lunch

16.00 FORTE CULTURA Congress 2026

20.00 Official Dinner

Thursday, 23 April

Excursions

08.30 Bus Transfer to Cádiz

10.00 Castillo de San Sebastian, Cádiz

12.30 Lunch

14.00 Castillo de Santa Catalina, Cádiz

15.30 Bus Transfer to Tarifa

17.00 Isla de Tarifa (or Castillo de Guzman el Bueno)

19.30 Dinner in Tarifa

22.00 Bus Transfer to La Línea de la Concepción

Friday, 24 April

Excursions (not yet determined, probably Gibraltar, alternatively Campo de Gibraltar)

Conference fee

Registration

Attendant InformationFirst name *Name *Email Address *CityCountryAfganistánAlbaniaAlemaniaAndorraAngolaAnguilaAntigua y BarbudaAntillas NeerlandesasAntártidaArabia SauditaArgeliaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAtolón JohnstonAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBielorrusiaBirmaniaBoliviaBosnia y HerzegovinaBotswanaBrasilBrunéiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiBélgicaCabo VerdeCamboyaCamerúnCanadáChadChileChina, República Popular deChipreCiudad del VaticanoColombiaComorasCongo, República Democrática delCongo, República delCorea del NorteCorea del SurCosta RicaCosta de MarfilCroaciaCubaCurazaoDinamarcaDjiboutiDominicaEcuadorEgiptoEl SalvadorEmiratos Árabes UnidosEritreaEslovaquiaEsloveniaEspañaEstados UnidosEstoniaEtiopíaFilipinasFinlandiaFiyiFranciaFrancia MetropolitanaGabónGambiaGeorgiaGhanaGibraltarGranadaGreciaGroenlandiaGuadalupeGuamGuatemalaGuayana FrancesaGuernseyGuineaGuinea EcuatorialGuinea-BisáuGuyanaHaitíHondurasHong KongHungríaIndiaIndonesiaIrakIrlandaIránIsla BouvetIsla NorfolkIsla ReuniónIsla Santa ElenaIsla de NavidadIslandiaIslas CaimánIslas CocosIslas CookIslas FeroeIslas Georgias del Sur y Sandwich del SurIslas Heard y McDonaldIslas MalvinasIslas Marianas del NorteIslas MarshallIslas PitcairnIslas SalomónIslas Turcas y CaicosIslas Ultramarinas Menores de Estados UnidosIslas Vírgenes BritánicasIslas Vírgenes de los Estados UnidosIslas Wallis y Futuna IsraelItaliaJamaicaJapónJerseyJordaniaKazajistánKeniaKirguistánKiribatiKosovoKuwaitLesotoLetoniaLiberiaLibiaLiechtensteinLituaniaLuxemburgoLíbanoMacaoMacedonia del NorteMadagascarMalasiaMalauiMaldivasMaltaMalíMarruecosMartinicaMauricioMauritaniaMayotteMicronesiaMoldaviaMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMozambiqueMéxicoMónacoNamibiaNauruNepalNicaraguaNigeriaNiueNoruegaNueva CaledoniaNueva ZelandaNígerOmánPakistánPalaosPalestina, Estado dePanamáPapúa Nueva GuineaParaguayPaíses BajosPersonas ApátridasPerúPolinesia FrancesaPoloniaPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReino UnidoRepública CentroafricanaRepública ChecaRepública Democrática Popular Lao​República DominicanaRuandaRumaniaRusiaSahara OccidentalSamoaSamoa AmericanaSan Cristóbal y NievesSan MarinoSan MartínSan Pedro y MiquelónSan Vicente y las GranadinasSanta LucíaSanto Tomé y PríncipeSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeonaSingapurSiriaSomaliaSri LankaSudáfricaSudánSudán, surSueciaSuizaSurinamSvalbard y Jan MayenSwazilandiaTailandiaTaiwán, República de ChinaTanzaniaTayikistánTerritorio Británico del Océano ÍndicoTerritorios Australes FrancesesTimor OrientalTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad y TobagoTurkmenistánTurquíaTuvaluTúnezUcraniaUgandaUruguayUzbekistánVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabueAttendee Type *multiple selectionMemberGuestSpeakerProfessional InformationOrganization/CompanyJob TitleProfessional WebsiteEvent SelectionEvent OptionsSelect the event components you would like to participate in.21 April, 9 a.m.: General Assembly21 April, 2 p.m.: Lunch21 April, 4 p.m.: Guided Tour La Línea de la Concepción21 April, 8 p.m.: Dinner22 April, 9 a.m.: FORTE CULTURA Congress22 April, 8 p.m.: official dinner23 April, 8.30-22.30: Excursion day Cádiz and Tarifa including dinner in Tarifa24 April, 8.30-15.30: Excursion day (not yet determinded)Miscellaneous: Please inform us of any intolerances, dietary requirements or other restrictions.Travel datesWe will check the possibility of airport transfers from Malaga to La Línea de la Concepción. To do this, we need your exact travel dates (arrival/departure). Alternatively, you can travel via Gibraltar Airport, which is only a 5-minute walk from the congress centre and hotel once you have crossed the border. Please note that Gibraltar is not part of the EU and that appropriate travel documents are required.CheckboxI would like to use the Malaga airport shuttle.I will travel to La Línea independently.Your exact travel dates (arrival/departure, flight numbers)Consent *The event will be recorded in image, sound and video and streamed online. By registering, you give your consent for the resulting image, sound and video material to be used by FORTE CULTURA and its partners in the context of the event content.
Furthermore, you consent to the storage and processing of your data (e.g. registration data) in accordance with our data protection conditions. RegisterGuardar como borradorPor favor, no rellenes este campo.

FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026, Valletta (MT)
2026-10-14 00:00 - 2026-10-17 23:59 | Fort St. Elmo, Valetta, Valetta, Malta
The Department of Tourism Management of the University of Malta is pleased to announce that it will host the FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026.

Are you a manager or a curator of a fortified heritage site?

Were you involved in a conservation project of a castle or fort?

Were you involved in discussions on the appropriate adaptive reuse of a heritage site?

Have you considered a tourism or leisure use for the fortified heritage site in which you are involved?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, the FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026 is of interest to you. The University of Malta invites you to the Symposium. Attendance to the Symposium is free. This includes the organised visits to fortified heritage sites.

The purposes of the Symposium are;

to share knowledge and experience on the management of fortified heritage sites.

to explore ways how conservation can be funded

to discuss options for adaptive reuse with a focus on tourism and leisure uses

to promote the valorisation of fortified heritage

The Symposium will be an excellent opportunity for you to network and share your thoughts and ideas with like-minded people. You will also have the opportunity to be part of organised visits to several fortified historical sites in Valletta and at other places in Malta. Each site is a case study that offers lessons in relation to management, funding and/or conservation.

Dates: 14 to 17 October 2026. Venue: Fort St. Elmo, Valletta, Malta

Programme:

Day 1 – Wednesday 14 October 2026

Morning: Presentations by international and local delegates Afternoon: Visits to Fort St. Elmo and other Valletta sites Evening: Welcome Reception and Networking

Day 2 – Thursday 15 October: Day Tour of Malta Fortifications

Day 3 – Friday 16 October

Morning: Presentations by international and local delegates Afternoon: Walk tour of Valletta

Day 4 – Saturday 17 October

Morning: Visits to other fortified heritage sites in Valletta

A detailed programme is available here (pdf file). The file also includes summary information about the various sites that will be visited during the four days of the Symposium.

Registration (google form)

A limited number of places are available. Early registration is recommended.

You are advised not to make any flight or accommodation bookings until the Symposium organisers confirm acceptance of your registration.

Invitation to give a presentation

Two half days of the Symposium will be dedicated to parallel sessions (the mornings of 14th and 16th October). You are invited to give a 15 to 20 minute presentation at the Symposium. This is an opportunity for you to share your work experience on fortified heritage and receive feedback. Your presentation can be about management, conservation, funding, adaptive reuse, tourism, architecture, landscape or any other aspect relating to fortified heritage.

You can show your intention to present by replying to the final questions on the registration form. If you have any questions about any aspect of the Symposium write to office@forte-cultura.eu or mireille.stubbings@um.edu.mt.

FINAL NOTE: You may wish to apply for funding under the Culture Moves Europe programme of the European Commission (deadline: 30 April 2026). A successful application may result in a grant that covers most of your travel and accommodation cost for the Symposium. https://culture.ec.europa.eu/culture-moves-europe/call-for-individual-mobility-2025-2026.
