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In 2021, the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius became one of the 48 certified cultural routes of the Council of Europe, the 43rd certified cultural route of the Council of Europe and the first cultural route recognised by the Council of Europe focusing on the Slavic cultural heritage. The Cultural Route consists of a set of linear marked routes as well as a network of sites – monuments and institutions.
This cultural and pilgrimage route is aimed at raising the profile of Europe’s cultural and spiritual heritage and refers to the important Cyril and Methodius mission to Great Moravia in the 9th century. It promotes and presents values based on mutual respect, tolerance, Christian roots and interpersonal relations between different cultures and faiths.
Its aim is to link places, monuments and institutions that represent the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Greece and to make visible the cultural and spiritual heritage linked to their life and message (monuments, stories and legends).
Establishing of the cultural and pilgrimage route is beneficial for the development of tourism and the regional economy, and a tool for the preservation of Cyril and Methodius’ cultural and spiritual heritage, related education, and the strengthening of the Christian faith in Slovakia and Europe.
During the festival „Nitra, Dear Nitra 2022“, a great summer pilgrimage from Velehrad to Nitra took place as part of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius. During 8 days the pilgrims walked more than 210 km across the Zlín, Trenčín and Nitra regions. They finished their journey at Nitra Castle during the Cyril and Methodius celebrations.
Nitra regional tourism destination organization has undertaken to mark this route as the Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius for pilgrims and tourists in the territory of the Nitra region.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CULTURAL ROUTE
What are the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe?
aunched by the Council of Europe in 1987, the Cultural Routes programme demonstrates in a visible way, by means of a journey through space and time, how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe represent a share cultural heritage. Cultural Routes allow the diverse cultural heritage of Europe’s different countries and cultures to be explored and contribute to building a common and living cultural heritage and cultural identity for Europe.
The diversity of the local living culture of each country is linked by common European ideas and thoughts in the different thematic routes, thus creating a unique tourist offer. Cultural Routes of The Council of Europe provide rich opportunities to discover new and lesser-known European destinations, and also raise the profile of forgotten or hidden aspects of Europe’s common cultural heritage. In the 35 years of The Cultural Routes programme, 48 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe have been certified so far.