As a European cultural route, FORTE CULTURA helps to preserve the important cultural heritage of fortress monuments and make it accessible to everyone. The fortresses of many eras, once built as military defences, are now places 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.

FORTE CULTURA stands in solidarity with its Ukrainian partners and actively promotes their interests.

EFFORTS – FORTE CULTURA, the largest fortress network in Europe, launched a joint initiative in Terezín in April 2022 to support fortress sites in Ukraine. The close cooperation between FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS Europe is of particular importance. Both networks are joining forces to protect and research fortress heritage at European level and make it accessible to a wide audience. Through joint initiatives, such as their commitment to Ukrainian fortresses, FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS Europe are pooling their expertise and resources, promoting cross-border exchange and sending a strong signal of European solidarity. This partnership not only enhances the impact of individual projects, but also enables innovative, sustainable solutions to the challenges surrounding the cultural heritage of fortresses.

In addition, FORTE CULTURA had symbolically declared our previously passive network member Mezhybizh Fortress a full member and will take over the annual contributions for an indefinite period. As a result of the upgrade, Mezhybizh Fortress has become a first official station of the European Cultural Route FORTE CULTURA in Ukraine and has since been integrated into our brand instruments and brand communication. 2023, the National Historical-Architectural Museum “The Kiev Fortress” joined FORTE CULTURA as the 2^nd full member and station of the European Cultural Route in Ukraine with the same services.

FORTE CULTURA regularly invites representatives of Ukrainian fortresses to international conferences and specialist meetings to give them a strong voice on the European stage. This gives our partners the opportunity to present their concerns, challenges and successes to a broad international audience.

FORTE CULTURA promotes exchange and knowledge transfer between Ukrainian and Western European fortress sites as well as with leading European networks. Targeted networking and joint projects give rise to innovative approaches to the preservation and sustainable development of fortress heritage.

The network also supports funding projects and develops tailor-made assistance measures to ensure the long-term reconstruction and protection of Ukrainian fortresses, as well as their use for tourism and cultural purposes. With these comprehensive initiatives, FORTE CULTURA makes a significant contribution to European solidarity and the preservation of shared history and culture.

Support our commitment to the preservation and reconstruction of Ukrainian fortresses – every donation helps!

Visit our fundraising campaign at betterplace.org and make a valuable contribution to the preservation of this unique cultural heritage. Together, we can set an example and provide sustainable help – thank you very much for your support!Please contact our network office if you would like to support our initiatives or help with our fundraising campaign. Thank you very much.

We also network Ukrainian fortress sites with fortresses from the rest of Europe and beyond. In regular online workshops with participants from many countries, support measures were discussed and concrete cooperation agreements were concluded, e.g. between the fortresses of Šibenik (HR) and Pidhirtsi (UA) or between fortresses of the Westwall (DE) and the Arpad Line (UA). Further co-operations are in preparation.

Please contact our network office if you would like to support our initiatives or help with our fundraising campaign. Thank you very much.