“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 participatory
  approaches in fortified sites.
• Reinforce the strategic role of networks and clusters in the sustainable development
  of fortified heritage.
• Explore community involvement and inclusion as prerequisites for sustainable
  tourism strategies.
• Position heritage interpretation as a key driver for education, awareness, and longterm
  value creation.

Key Themes and Sessions

The Congress will address the following interconnected themes:

• Networks, Clusters, and Governance Models
  Institutional frameworks and governance structures that enable cooperation at local, regional, and European levels.
• Fortifications and Sustainable Cultural Tourism
  Development of tourism models that respect carrying capacity, authenticity, and local identity.
• Heritage Interpretation as a Strategic Tool
  Interpretation as a bridge between heritage, communities, and visitors, with a focus on education, awareness, and innovative teaching methods.
• Community Involvement and Inclusion
  Participatory approaches that empower local communities, schools, associations, and creative actors in shaping tourism narratives.
• Creative Tourism and Experiential Models
  From 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

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Event 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 dates

We 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.

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