Application for certification
(2024-2025 cycle)

Each year, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) awards the certification "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" to cultural route network applicants fulfilling the criteria set out in Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Resolution CM/Res(2023)2.

8 candidate networks to the "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" certification were subject to evaluation in the framework of the 2024-2025 Certification Cycle:

European Cultural Route of Sports

European Route of Historic Theatres

European Route of Nikos Kazantzakis

Mary’s Route

Pyrenean Freedom Routes

Romea Strata

Saint Francis’ Ways

The Way of The Holy Grail, The Route of Knowledge, The Path of Peace

1. Candidate Route: EUROPEAN CULTURAL ROUTE OF SPORTS

Responsible Network: European Cultural Route of Sport

Website: https://www.ecros.eu/

Headquarters: 15 rue Robert et Sonia Delaunay, 75011 PARIS

President: Burçak MADRAN

The European Route of Sport aims to highlight the richness of sport heritage, focusing on the preservation of the memory of sport as a common heritage, as well as the promotion of important sport figures and artists that are linked to these sports.

As a common shared history, sport heritage is spread across Europe combining tangible and intangible elements. According to research conducted by the network, there are around 3,000 sites in Europe linked to the Olympic history, a testimony that clearly shows the importance of sport activities as part of common European values.

As the theme of the route is extensive, the creation of sub-theme routes is planned, focusing on different aspects: traditional sports, urban sports, sports museums, outdoor sports, the fight for equality through sport, disabled sport, among others.

Countries involved in the Network: 12 members in 5 countries: Croatia (1), Denmark (2), France (7), Portugal (1) and Spain (1) [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

2. Candidate Route: EUROPEAN ROUTE OF HISTORIC THEATRES

Responsible Network: PERSPECTIV – Association of Historic Theatres in Europe

Website: www.perspectiv-online.org/

Headquarters: Villbacher Strasse 21, 63599 Biebergemund, Germany

President: Mark FOX

The European Route of Historic Theatres is a cultural route that highlights the history of Europe from Renaissance till the 20th century through the heritage of theatres.

The network is divided in 12 regional routes that stretch over different European countries. The main purpose is to connect historic theatres that are older than 100 years and to make them more visible an accessible for the large public.

In different architectural forms, theatre buildings can unveil significant information about the time when the theatres were erected, about the artists for whom they were built and about the relationship that was searched for between the audience and this art expression. The network displays a connection between the most beautiful, most interesting and most preserved theatres across the Europe.

Countries involved in the Network: 54 members in 18 countries: Austria (1), Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), Croatia (1), Czech Republic (1), Denmark (1), Finland (3), France (1), Georgia (1), Germany (19), Italy (7), Norway (1), Poland (2), Romania (4), Spain (1), Sweden (4), Switzerland (2) and Ukraine (2). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

3. Candidate Route: EUROPEAN ROUTE OF NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS

Responsible Network: « Société internationale des amis de Nikos Kazantzakis »

Website: https://amis-kazantzaki.gr/

Headquarters: 7, rue Zografou GR 71 201 Héraklion Crète, Grèce

President: Georges STASSINAKIS

The European Route of Nikos Kazantzakis aims to highlight the figure of Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), a Greek world-famous writer, poet and thinker whose legacy is representative of the European continent.

His works were influenced by his multiple travels and journeys all along the Europe. He is one of the Greek authors that has been translated in numerous languages and that has conquered audiences on five continents, inspiring theatre, film and music.

Today, the European Route of Nikos Kazantzakis retraces and brings together both tangible and intangible heritage elements linked to Kazantzakis’s life and works.

Countries involved in the Network: 10 members in 9 countries: Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), Cyprus (1), Finland (1), France (1), Greece (2), Portugal (1), Switzerland (1) and Sweden (1). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

*The application also includes a list of 87 individual members from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Finland, France, Great-Britain, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uruguay and the United States.

4. Candidate Route: MARY’S ROUTE

Responsible Network: European Network Association of Mary's Route

Website: https://www.marysroute.org/

Headquarters: 8200 Veszprém, Házgyári str 7. Hungary

President: Dr. Tamás SZABÓ

The veneration of Mary, mother of Jesus, dates back to the beginning of Christianity. In particular in Central Europe, her veneration is manifested in buildings, statues, paintings, music, performing arts and in living traditions. In this region, more than 150 living shrines incarnate the living tradition of Mary’s veneration with countless holy wells, statues and sacred regional memories. These shrines are visited by 6-7 million pilgrims every year.

Mary’s Route integrates these shrines into a network of centres of pilgrimages and of veneration of Mary in ten countries, following a North-South and an East-West axes, with an extension of more than 6000 km long. Mary’s Route can be travelled by foot, bike, horse and even water, along the Danube River, while discovering the natural and cultural treasures and traditions of the countries crossed.

Countries involved in the Network: 199 members in 8 countries: Austria (5), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), Czech Republic (1), Hungary (98), Poland (1), Romania (33), Serbia (7) and Slovakia (52). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

5. Candidate Route: PYRENEAN FREEDOM ROUTES

Responsible Network: Association « Itinéraires Liberté Pyrénées »

Website: https://itinerairesliberte.fr/en/

Headquarters: Mairie de Saint Laurent de Neste - Place de la Mairie – BP 13 – 65150 Saint Laurent de Neste

President: Yoan RUMEAU

During the Second World War, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees were crossed by more than 30,000 escapees. It is in the central part of the Pyrenees (Ariège, Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées) that the most important crossing routes are located, called " Pyrenees Freedom Routes". They constitute a close link between three nations: France, Spain and the United Kingdom, and bear witness to the crossing of the Pyrenees by hundreds of resistance fighters, aviators, Jews, and many others, fleeing the Nazi regime.

The Pyrenees Freedom Routes are an opportunity to discover the heritage, exceptional landscapes and traditions and pay tribute to these heroes. Through the Pyrenean foothills and up to the highest peaks, the diversity of territories and the richness of their heritage -represented by decorated caves, Roman remains, churches, medieval villages, calvaries, castles and more- are offered to all visitors in a majestic atmosphere.

Countries involved in the Network: 62 members in 7 countries: Andorra (4), France (37), Great-Britain (1), Italy (2) Portugal (2), Romania (1) and Spain (15). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]  

* The application also includes a list of 26 individual members from Andorra, Belgium, France, Germany, Great-Britain, Italy and the Netherlands.

6. Candidate Route: ROMEA STRATA

Responsible Network: ASSOCIAZIONE EUROPEA ROMEA STRATA E.T.S

Website: https://www.romeastrata.org/

Headquarters: Via Giulia Augusta 18 - 33051 Aquileia - Italy

President: Raimondo SINIBALDI

Romea Strata is an ancient pilgrimage route travelled by pilgrims from Central and Eastern Europe on their way to Rome: from the Baltic Sea, they used to cross Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic and Austria and entered the north-east of Italy through the town of Tarvisio. This 4.000 km journey represents a point of union between the East and the West, connecting local and regional pilgrim ways in 7 countries.

Romea Strata stands out due to the variety of elements and experiences that have been stratified along this route throughout history. It was used for multiple purposes, including the trade of amber, salt, iron and silk. This led to the development of artistic and architectural assets along the route, including hospitality establishments, churches and museums. The route was also frequented by enlightened minds who left their mark in the field of science, such as Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo Galilei; and traversed by fundamental figures who spread Christianity, Judaism and Protestantism.

Countries involved in the Network: 57 members in 7 countries: Austria (13), Czech Republic (5), Estonia (1), Italy (31), Latvia (1), Lithuania (1) and Poland (5). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

*The application also includes 2 individual members from Italy.

7. Candidate Route: SAINT FRANCIS’ WAYS

Responsible Network: Saint Francis’ Ways TSPA

Website: https://www.saintfrancisways.eu/

Headquarters: Via Gela 7300182, Rome, Italy

President: Paolo GIULIETTI

Saint Francis’ Ways propose a series of thematic itineraries and territorial routes that allow citizens to get in contact with the precious legacy of Saint Francis. The network of pilgrimage routes connects Assisi with the main Franciscan places and the great destinations of medieval spirituality: Santiago, Rome and Jerusalem.

Along the Saint Francis’ Ways, visitors and travellers can discover art places, UNESCO heritage sites, unique examples of architecture, painting and literature, botany and pharmacy, as well as music. Walking along the Way of Saint Francis constitutes an authentic spiritual path. The figure of Saint Francis embodies the value of dialogue, peace, respect for the other, and the multiculturalism from medieval times up to the present day.

Countries involved in the Network: 33 members in 14 countries: Croatia (1), France (1), Greece (1), Hungary (1), Israel (2), Italy (12), Malta (1), Palestine3 (3), Poland (1), Portugal (2), San Marino (2), Slovakia (3), Spain (2) and the United States (1). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

8. Candidate Route: THE WAY OF THE HOLY GRAIL, THE ROUTE OF KNOWLEDGE, THE PATH OF PEACE

Responsible Network : Association Internationale Itinéraire Culturel Chemin du Saint Graal de l'Europe

Website: https://elcaminodelsantogrial.eu/

Headquarters: Rue Mar, 42 Bajo de Massamagrell 46130 Valence, Espagne

President: Ana MAFÉ GARCÍA

The Holy Grail is a treasure that reunites Europeans through different legends, histories and traditions. The Way of the Holy Grail, the Route of Knowledge, the Path of Peace is the cultural journey that invites Europeans to discover “the Quest for the Holy Grail”, a journey along the Way of the Holy Grail featuring dreamlike landscapes, traditions and exquisite cuisine.

This cultural route promotes peace and understanding between peoples thanks to shared knowledge, history and legends associated with the Holy Grail. Beyond the search for a physical object, the route is a symbol of unity and diversity that explores the memory, history and heritage of Europe, highlighting the richness and cultural diversity of the continent.

Countries involved in the Network: 187 members in 8 countries: Argentina (2), Ecuador (1), France (1), Israel (2), Italy (17), Mexico (7), Spain (153) and the United States (1) [As per information submitted by the network in July 2024.]

*The application also includes a list of 57 individual members from Canada, China, France, Italy and Spain.