FORTE CULTURA Network

For the preservation and use
of the cultural heritage of fortified monuments

FORTE CULTURA Membership

The FORTE CULTURA network is aimed at national and transnational fortresses, fortress organisations, institutions, municipalities and experts who wish to participate in the development of the European Cultural Route of Fortified Monuments FORTE CULTURA® and in the effective development and marketing of the cultural heritage of fortresses. The cultural route offers each fortified monument the opportunity to network and develop new, joint instruments and activities to promote tourism to the European cultural heritage of fortified monuments.

Become a member of FORTE CULTURA e.V. now and strengthen your festival profile within the international community of more than 60 partners. Benefit from interesting framework agreements, fortress-specific marketing tools and expertise in a wide range of specialist areas. Become a partner of transnational funding projects and initiatives for the preservation and sustainable utilisation of the cultural heritage of fortresses.

Membership fees

CategoryFee p.a.
Local or regional authorities and groups of contractually linked fortifications
of a local or regional fortification system		860 €
Legal entities owning or managing a fortress monument500 €
Legal entities owning or managing a fortress monument as part of a fortress system215 €
Scientific institutions, foundations, interest groups or similar organisations290 €
Companies500 €
Natural persons50 €
Groups of fortress monuments and otherindividual

FAQ on membership
Download membership application form
Statutes FORTE CULTURA e.V. for download

Membership Advantages

As a European cultural route, FORTE CULTURA regularly develops new initiatives, marketing tools and special offers for the specific needs of fortress monuments. The focus is on the preservation and sustainable use of fortified monuments as well as the development and promotion of tourism, digitalisation and professional exchange on many other topics. Our member fortresses benefit from the specialist expertise and know-how of the entire FORTE CULTURA network.

Offered Benefits:

  • Members gain access to the extensive expert know-how of the entire FORTE CULTURA network. This includes consultations, exchange of experience, and sharing of ideas among fortresses, institutions, and individual experts.
    • Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences: Members can actively or passively participate in in-person workshops, seminars, and conferences — such as the annual FORTE CULTURA Congress — often hosted directly within the exclusive premises of member fortresses.
    • Scientific Advisory Board Participation: Members have the opportunity to join specialized scientific meetings within the Scientific Advisory Board, which addresses a wide range of topics related to fortress heritage, conservation, tourism, and development.
  • FORTE CULTURA organizes online activities exclusively for its members:
    • The annual OMM (Online Member Meeting) provides a platform for members to present their current activities, share results, and connect with others in the network.
    • Consultation Support: Members receive direct consultation support (via e-mail or on calls) for organizational, technical, and thematic matters.
    • Networking via Dedicated Communication Channels: Members can join three specialized WhatsApp groups, designed to enable ongoing exchange of information, news or best practices.
    • Newsletter Access and Contribution: Members can subscribe to and contribute to the regular FORTE CULTURA Newsletter, sharing updates, achievements, and upcoming initiatives.
    • Member Blogs and Knowledge Sharing: Members can participate in creating and publishing content on two dedicated member blogs. Blogs are being translated to official FORTE CULTURA languages and then shared every month to thousands of our followers:
      • The Activity Blog – focused on quick-oriented presentations of member activities and events.
      • The Science Blog – aimed at in-depth analysis, research sharing, and expert insights into fortress-related topics.
  • Membership in FORTE CULTURA provides direct opportunities to join or initiate international projects and initiatives focused on the preservation and sustainable use of fortress heritage.
    • Project Collaboration: Members can easily connect with new partners sharing similar objectives, obtain expert input, and receive guidance for developing and implementing their own projects.
    • Access to Ongoing Projects: The network allows members to engage in existing FORTE CULTURA projects
    • Twinning programme for Ukraininan fortifications and crowdfunding campains
    • Extended Network of Organizations: Members gain access to contacts and cooperation opportunities with other major organizations in the field of fortress heritage — including EFFORTS, ICOFORT, ICOMOS, and ECCOFORT. Collaboration with European partners such as EFFORTS Europe extends members’ reach and influence. Through joint activities, members can contribute to shaping policies related to fortress heritage, local development, cultural tourism, and heritage economics even on the European level.
  • Specialized Marketing Tools for Fortresses: Members have access to a variety of fortress-specific marketing tools — including flyers, posters, brochures, publications, and roll-up displays — all designed with ready-to-use FORTE CULTURA branding and visual identity. These materials help promote fortress sites in a unified and recognizable style across Europe.
  • Online Visibility through the Fortress Portraits Platform Each member fortress is featured with its own profile page (“Fortress Portrait”) on the public FORTE CULTURA tourism web portal. This profile highlights the fortress’s history, attractions, events, and visitor information.
  • Inclusion in the FORTE CULTURA Tourism Catalogue: Member fortresses are listed in the official FORTE CULTURA Tourism Catalogue, which presents fortress destinations across Europe. The catalogue serves as a promotional tool distributed to tourism professionals, travel agencies, and visitors.
  • Promotion through FORTE CULTURA Social Media Channels: Members can use FORTE CULTURA’s social media platforms to share and promote their content internationally. By contributing to the Activity Blog or other promotional initiatives, fortresses gain exposure across channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, with hundreds of followers — primarily enthusiasts of fortress heritage and cultural tourism.
  • Participation in the European Fortress Summer: Member fortresses can take part in the European Fortress Summer, an annual seasonal campaign that promotes fortress-related events throughout Europe. This initiative increases visitor awareness and participation while connecting local events to a broader international audience.
  • Digital Promotion Tools: FORTE CULTURA provides members with digital promotion tools and shared online resources to help strengthen their marketing strategies.
  • Certification as a Station of the European Cultural Route: Membership in FORTE CULTURA allows your fortress to be listed as an official Station within the European Cultural Route of Fortified Monuments, as recognized by the Council of Europe through a dedicated certification process (currently as nominating cultural route).
  • FORTE CULTURA Academy: Members gain access to the FORTE CULTURA Academy, an educational platform offering training sessions, workshops, and seminars for professional development. The Academy focuses on practical knowledge, heritage management, cultural tourism, and sustainable preservation of fortifications.
    • Certificate for Tour Guides: Fortress guides can qualify for the FORTE CULTURA® Tour Guide Certificate, which includes registration, access to study materials, and an online test (approx. 1 hour). A one-time certification fee of €40 applies. Certified guides can enjoy further promotion.
    • Study and Pilot Trips: Members can participate in study and pilot trips organized by FORTE CULTURA, which provide hands-on experience and direct insights into fortress heritage across the world.
    • Academic Support: With the support of the Scientific Advisory Board, members can gain access to specialized academic resources and literature for research or analytical work. There is also an opportunity to publish academic or expert papers under the FORTE CULTURA label, contributing to the wider knowledge base of fortress heritage.
    • Internships: Members can host or send (university) students and professionals for internships, job shadowing, or summer schools related to fortress heritage — often supported by programs such as Erasmus+. Internships may also be completed at the FORTE CULTURA headquarters in Berlin.
  • Members have the right to vote at the General Assembly, to stand for FORTE CULTURA offices, and to submit proposals in accordance with the provisions of the statutes.
  • Framework Agreements: Members benefit from framework agreements negotiated by FORTE CULTURA, which provide collective advantages such as discounted rates for marketing materials, promotional items, and other shared resources. For example, Euro banknote souvenir discounts or the Reveel platform or Actionbound discounts.
  • Participation in Transnational Funding Projects: Membership offers opportunities to become a partner in transnational projects, enabling access to funding programs, joint financing, and shared resources.

Membership Obligations

Practical commitments within the FORTE CULTURA community

Alongside the practical measures listed below, FORTE CULTURA has adopted simple Community & Communication Guidelines that describe the spirit in which we work together as a route: making membership visible, staying in regular contact, and sharing stories and good practices with one another.

These Guidelines are not additional obligations, but a common reference to support a stronger sense of community beyond the formal requirements. You can read them here: Community & Communication Guidelines.

The following requirements for FORTE CULTURA members are intended for public recognition and visibility of the cultural route in your fortress – real and virtual.

Why? To strengthen the FORTE CULTURA brand and to support our certification as a “European Cultural Route” by the Council of Europe.
What? To clearly identify you as a FORTE CULTURA member and your fortress as a station of the route.

Required Measures:

On your website

  • Mention your FORTE CULTURA membership anywhere
  • Display the FORTE CULTURA logo on your webpage
  • Link to the FORTE CULTURA tourism portal www.forte-cultura.com and/or to the respective subpage of your fortress
  • Send us the (sub)link of your website, where FORTE CULTURA is displayed.

At your events

  • Please check which events can be part of the European Fortress Summer (EFS).
  • Register your event on the network website: Each station should assign at least one event a year to the EFS!
  • Label these events with EFS and FORTE CULTURA. Use the logos and possibly the motto during your event.
  • Share your event reports, images and videos for announcements and follow-up with us on social media or by E-Mail to our Social Media Manager.

In your publications

  • Please check in which future publications a reference to your FORTE CULTURA membership can be included.
  • Please send us copies or links as proof to the Council of Europe.

Physically (if you manage a fortress station)

  • The physical FORTE CULTURA sign must be displayed in a suitable place.
  • Follow FORTE CULTURA social media channels on: Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, YouTube
  • Follow FORTE CULTRA Tourism social media channels on: Facebook, Instagram
  • Make sure, that FORTE CULTURA is following you
  • Recommendations:
    • Join our WhatsApp group(s)
    • Write at least one article per year about your fortress for the FORTE CULTURA Blogs
    • Share images/videos of your fortress to the media server (so we can use them for shared marketing promotion)
    • While not mandatory, active engagement in network activities (network surveys, attendance at meetings…) is welcomed
  • Please provide us with the names and contactc of your appointed local contact persons for FORTE CULTURA concerns, i.e.: tourism, network, science.
  • Please update the list of tour guides with FORTE CULTURA certificate of your location.
  • Please check the published FORTE CULTURA guided tours to ensure they are up to date.
  • Please ensure, that at least one guide of your station is certified with the FORTE CULTURA certificate for tour guides.

Take advantage of the many opportunities to advertise your location in the FORTE CULTURA layout:

  • FORTE CULTURA location flyer (local version)
  • FORTE CULTURA location flyer of other stations
  • Regional maps
  • Travel recommendations
  • Guided tours (guides with FORTE CULTURA certificate)
  • etc.

FORTE CULTURA Certificate
for tour guides

European
Fortress Summer

powered by FORTE CULTURA & EFFORTS

FORTE CULTURA Academy

FORTE CULTURA tourism catalogue

FORTE CULTURA Fortress portraits

FORTE CULTURA marketing tools (flyers, posters, brochures, roll-up displays, etc.)

FORTE CULTURA framework agreements

FORTE CULTURA workshops and specialist conferences

FORTE CULTURA Handbook for members and stations of the European Cultural Route

FORTE CULTURA partner network

FORTE CULTURA Science Blog

FORTE CULTURA Internships

FORTE CULTURA Publishing Service

FORTE CULTURA Pilot and Study Tours

FORTE CULTURA e.V. is a member of EFFORTS Europe

EFFORTS (European Federation of Fortified Sites) is a European network for fortresses and fortress organisations based in Brussels. It supports and promotes the cultural heritage of fortified monuments and defends the interests of fortified sites in the EU.