Video of Europe’s Cultural Routes in Italy

The Italian Ministry of Culture has released a new one-hour video showcasing, for the first time, the 36 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe that cross Italian territory.

About the project

The video highlights several major European itineraries that are part of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and pass through Italy, such as the Camino de Santiago, the Via Francigena, the Route of Aeneas, Leonardo da Vinci’s Routes, ATRIUM, Iter Vitis, the Phoenicians’ Route, the Way of St. Francis, and others. The Cultural Routes are presented thematically, illustrating Europe’s shared heritage across history, architecture, religion, landscapes, and cultural traditions, while also promoting sustainable tourism and cooperation between institutions and local stakeholders.

European Cemeteries Route

Among the routes featured in the video is also the European Cemeteries Route, certified in 2010 and coordinated by the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe. The European Cemeteries Route connects historic cemeteries across Europe as cultural landscapes that reflect European history, art, and collective memory. In the video, it is illustrated with images of several Italian cemeteries, including:

• the Monumental Cemetery of Lavagna,
• the Monumental Cemetery of Mantua,
• the Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna,
• the Monumental Cemetery of Verona,
• the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome,
• andthe Verano Monumental Cemetery in Rome.

The video

The European Cemeteries Route is featured from 31:38 onwards.

2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies: Call for papers

The European Institute of Cultural Routes invites you to the 2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, held on 12 and 13 November 2026 in Lugano, Switzerland.

About the event

The Secretariat of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites of USI – Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (Switzerland) are pleased to launch the call for papers of the 2nd International Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies.

The conference will take place at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland) from 12 to 13 November, 2026.

Building on the first edition, it aims at:

• highlighting and discussing research and academic activities related to cultural routes;
• strengthening the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, providing a foundation for collective action;
• fostering collaboration between academics and practitioners, shaping future research agendas and offering scientific advice to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme;
• disseminating scientific knowledge about the cultural routes and their role in promoting an European identity.

Call for papers

Anyone interested in participating is invited to submit a paper proposal via the EasyChair platform no later than 19 April 2026. Proposals must be written in English and should not exceed 500 words.

When submitting, please indicate your paper category:

• Ongoing research/published papers (conference presentation only).
• Original research (eligible for the forthcoming edited handbook).

Accepted authors are expected to present in person in Lugano. Inclusion in the handbook is contingent upon the timely submission of requested revisions.

As the European Cemeteries Route has been a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2010, the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) would like to encourage our representatives to attend the conference with some interesting presentation topics.

Further information

For full details on themes, submission guidelines, and important dates, please consult the official Call for Papers available HERE.

For any additional questions contact the Conference Chairs:

• Silvia De Ascaniis (silvia.de.ascaniis@usi.ch) or
• Lorenzo Cantoni (lorenzo.cantoni@usi.ch).

ASCE President at the International Conference in Nova Gorica

ASCE President, Mrs. Lidija Pliberšek, participated in the International Conference on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held from April 14 to 16, 2025.

About the event

From April 14 to 16, 2025, the ASCE President, Mrs. Lidija Pliberšek, participated in the International Conference "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Cross-Border Regions", held in the cross-border towns of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica, and Tolmin (Slovenia).

The event gathered representatives of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes, cultural heritage experts, local community representatives, and partners of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) to explore the role of Cultural Routes in fostering cross-border cooperation and preserving shared heritage.

Presentation of ASCE and European Cemeteries Route

As part of the official conference program, Mrs. Pliberšek presented the work of ASCE and the European Cemeteries Route, a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. In her presentation, cemeteries were portrayed as complex cultural landscapes with multiple dimensions: spaces of remembrance and burial, carriers of cultural and historical narratives, and increasingly as destinations for respectful, value-based tourism.

ASCE President also highlighted several key ASCE projects and the Park of Remembrance in Maribor, Slovenia, opened as part of the European Capital of Culture 2012, as a cross-border symbol of shared memory of the victims of the First and Second World Wars and post-war killings – without divisions and without judgments of values.

Her presentation emphasized the significance of cemeteries and the European Cemeteries Route in fostering cross-border cultural awareness and preserving Europe’s diverse heritage.

You can find the event program HERE.

ASCE President at the all-Slovenian Cultural Routes meeting

On October 10, 2024, ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, participated at the all-Slovenian meeting of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, organized by the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor.

34th Days of European Cultural Heritage

Between September 28 and October 12, 2024, a series of events took place in numerous locations throughout Slovenia and its neighboring regions as part of the 34th Days of European Cultural Heritage and the 12th Cultural Heritage Week. This year's theme was "Heritage of Cultural Routes, Networking, and Connections."

Roundtable discussion: Connecting for Peace and Intercultural Cooperation

As part of these events, the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor, a member of the Academic Network of Cultural Routes, organized an all-Slovenian meeting of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. This event was held on October 10, 2024, in Ljubljana, and featured a roundtable discussion titled "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe – Connecting for Peace and Intercultural Cooperation." The meeting was also intended for discussions about the knowledge and competencies needed for cultural and thematic routes in Slovenia.

At the round table, Mrs Irena Marš from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia was joined by representatives of two Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe coordinated from Slovenia: Mrs Lidija Pliberšek from the European Cemeteries Route, and Mrs Andreja Rihter from the Women Writers' Route. The fourth participant was Mr Edvard Kovač, representing the Saint Martin of Tours Route, the first Slovenian route to receive the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe certification.

You can find the official PR statement about the event (in Slovenian) at this LINK.

European Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe

Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, president of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), spoke about the importance of cemeteries in building peace. Military cemeteries play a central role in this by reminding us of the tragedies, horrors, and suffering caused by wars. Additionally, cemeteries serve as a reminder of equality in death, emphasizing the respect for diversity, and the European Cemeteries Route plays an active role in this context.

ASCE president also introduced the Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe initiative, launched by the Association in 2024 to support the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of the initiative, the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2024 focused on environmental sustainability and climate change, with events and activities showcasing how cemeteries and visitors can contribute to reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, this project received the Best Practice Award 2024, granted by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in September 2024.

Event highlights:

*The content is partially excerpted from the PR statement by Dr. Maja Turnšek.

European Cemeteries Route received the Best Practice Award 2024

The award-winning initiative was Week of Discovering European Cemeteries: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.

Best Practice Award 2024

At the 13th Annual Advisory Forum of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Budapest, Hungary, from 25 to 27 September 2024, six Cultural Routes received the "Best Practice Award" for promoting cultural heritage.

Among them, the European Cemeteries Route was recognized for its focus on Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Development. The award-winning initiative, titled "Week of Discovering European Cemeteries: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change," encouraged ASCE and European Cemeteries Route members to organize over 30 events in 22 cemeteries across seven European countries. These events emphasized the role of cemeteries as green spaces and promoted sustainable practices. Activities included guided tours, exhibitions, and open calls for sustainable improvements.

For more information about the award ceremony and the other winners, please visit this LINK.

European Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe

The theme for the 2024 Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, "Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change," was developed as part of the ASCE initiative "Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe," launched in 2024 to promote the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Details of the initiative and the WDEC 2024 examples of good practice can be found HERE.

The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe's 10th Training Academy

ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, participated in the 10th Training Academy of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, which took place from May 30th to June 2nd, 2023, in France.

Looking to the Future: visibility, cooperation and sustainability

The 10th Training Academy of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, hosted by Prehistoric Rock Art Trails, took place from May 30th to June 2nd, 2023, in the picturesque Dordogne region of France, in Périgueux-Montignac and Les Eyzies de Tayac, on the theme "Looking to the Future: visibility, cooperation and sustainability in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe”.

As the theme suggests, this year's Training Academy had a clear focus on shaping the future of Cultural Routes, emphasizing three key aspects: visibility, collaboration, and sustainability. Representatives from various cultural routes and countries attended the event to exchange experiences, learn from good management practices, and advance ideas for new topics of engagement and areas for improvement.

In light of the event, it was established that the European Cemeteries Route would actively contribute to the Sustainability Working Group, established at the Forum in Chania on October 5th, 2022. This decision highlights the commitment of the European Cemeteries Route to contribute to sustainable practices and promote responsible tourism within the cultural routes framework. Joining forces with six other cultural routes, we are committed to collectively tackle sustainability challenges, assess the environmental, social, and economic impact of our projects, develop practical tools and resources, and share best practices to pave the way for a brighter future.

We warmly invite all members of our association to join us in our pursuit of creating a more sustainable and impactful future.

Photos from the event

Participation in an international workshop

In 2022, European Cemeteries Route participated in an international workshop entitled "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Tourism".

About the workshop

The Teaching Project inaugurated with the workshop entitled “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Tourism” is based within a consolidated international network of contacts acquired with Italian and foreign universities as part of the scientific and teaching activities of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies under the patronage of the European Institute of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

The workshop took place between July and October 2022 with the aim to address, through a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective, the theme of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, which in their specificity represent a crucial node in the active interpretation of cultural heritage and are strategic tools for guiding processes of territorial and landscape valorization. The activities also involved the collaboration of lecturers from other universities and from numerous national and international institutions and associations, as well as public administrations.

The workshop lasted a total of 75 hours and was organized in three main modules: lectures, site visits days, and project activities.

European Cemeteries Route at the workshop

Manager of European Cemeteries Route, Mr Dušan Vrban, gave a presentation at the workshop about the added value of stories in managing cultural tourism on the example of cemeteries and European Cemeteries Route.

He also highlighted the different marketing approaches that are being implemented by European Cemeteries Route in that context and can be applied in various fields.

The topic of the presentation is also elaborated in his article in the workshop's publication that you can download below.

Online publication

The outcomes of this successful international workshop are presented in an online publication which is available for download at this LINK.

The publication intends to summarise what matured during the opening experience of the Teaching Project, collecting some reflections of the lecturers and invited guests who have offered their contribution regarding the seminar days, together with the outcome of the students’ final projects.

The volume is therefore structured into three main parts: short essays, collects a photo diary of site visits days, and students’ final project proposals. 

Development of the project in the future

The workshop represented the first event of a growing teaching project that intends to become a summer school, held on an annual or biennial basis, with the involvement of other university members of the network and open to international students.

*Source: Introduction text from the workshop publication by Silvia Beltramo, www.academia.edu 

Best practices award 2022

European Cemeteries Route received the Cultural Routes Best Practices Award by the Secretariat of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA).

About the Cultural Routes Best Practices Award

The call for the “Cultural Routes Best Practices Award” was launched in 2022 by the Secretariat of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) in order to give recognition to best practices implemented by the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

Award for Schools on cemeteries project

European Cemeteries Route received this exceptional award for the "Schools on cemeteries project", which has been implemented and developed for many years by European Cemetery Route members across Europe.

The ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, received the award certificate at the 11th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum, that took place from 5th to 7th October 2022 in Chania, Greece.

The award is an important acknowledgement of the importance of the project. Thus, it will be further promoted and developed by the route management.

You can find more infromation about the project and the award itself HERE.

*On the photo from left to right: Mr. Stefano Dominioni (Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of European Institute of Cultural Routes), Mrs. Lidija Pliberšek (ASCE president and director of Pogrebno podjetje Maribor) and Mr. Julien Vuilleumier (Chair, Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA)).