On 14 October, Coimbra hosted the conference “Coimbra on the European Cultural Routes”, bringing together representatives from cultural, academic and local institutions to explore the role of Cultural Routes in promoting shared heritage, territorial development and cooperation across Europe.
The event took place at Café Santa Cruz, a historic landmark associated with the Historic Cafés Route, the Women Writers Route and the Saint Francis Ways. The programme included a historical review of the role of Coimbra in historical routes, such as the Saint James Way, as well as a series of panels that addressed the potential of Coimbra and its region for the Cultural Routes programme in Portugal.
On this occasion, the Café Santa Cruz also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing 13 of the 52 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe with a presence in Coimbra, alongside a presentation on the European Routes of Emperor Charles V and the potential of Cultural Routes for less densely populated territories. The initiative builds on 18 articles published in Diário de Coimbra in 2025, exploring the Cultural Routes connected to the city, and draws inspiration from similar exhibitions held elsewhere in Europe.
During the conference, Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, highlighted the role of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in promoting social, economic and tourism development, particularly in less densely populated regions.
The Municipality of Coimbra, represented by Councillor Margarida Mendes Silva, underlined the importance of bringing this shared heritage closer to local communities and strengthening cooperation with neighbouring territories.
Through this initiative, Coimbra aims to raise awareness of its European cultural connections, promote its tangible and intangible heritage, and foster new opportunities for cooperation.
Portugal joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes in 2011 and is currently crossed by 21 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.
