Integrated cultural and touristic routes in the Romania – Hungary border area

The management, preservation and valorisation of cultural heritage through tourism is highly considered by European citizens. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey of the European Commission, EU citizens strongly support cultural exchanges, artistic freedom and fair working conditions for artists and call for a stronger EU role in protecting heritage and responding to the impact of new technologies.

Cross-border cooperation in cultural heritage and tourism can strengthen cultural exchange, facilitate access to cultural sites, improve tourist flows across borders and create new tourist and cultural products. Supported by the development of common strategies between organisations at different sides of the border, the historical and cultural heritage of the area can be exploited in new, creative ways assisted by the use of new, immersive technologies.

WHAT

The project “Integrated cultural and touristic routes in the Romania – Hungary border area” (HUNAV-ROHU) is a strategic project that aims to contribute to the development of the Romania-Hungary cross-border area by defining a common strategy that includes new tourist routes/products and the creative use of historical and cultural heritage. The project aims to:

• Restore parts of the historic Huniade Castle in Timișoara, Romania, which is the city’s oldest building, and transform it into a multi-faceted museum featuring exhibitions on military history, evolution of the Banat geographical region and daily life from medieval to modern times.
• Restore the interior and exterior of the Navay Manor in Óföldeák, Hungary, including landscaping, furnishing, and the creation of event spaces and a memorial room.

These restorations will transform the two historic buildings into prominent landmarks on both sides of the border.

Moreover, the project will also develop a cultural strategy to ensure the preservation of cultural, historical, and natural heritage in the cross-border area and organise joint actions and events (artistic events, workshops, educational actions and conferences) to promote the restored sites and the shared cultural heritage.

WHO

The HUNAV-ROHU project is implemented by Timiș County Council (RO) (Lead Partner) and Óföldeák Municipality (HU).

WHERE

The HUNAV-ROHU project is implemented in the Romania-Hungary border area and in specific in the cities of Timișoara, Romania (location of the Huniade Castle) and Óföldeák, Hungary (location of the Navay Manor).

HOW

The overall project budget amounts to EUR 10.430.297,87 with EUR 7.114.270,63 being funded by the ERDF through the 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Romania-Hungary Programme.

RESULTS

When completed, the HUNAV-ROHU project aims to have revitalised cultural and tourist services in the region, and have made the cross-border area more culturally vibrant, collaborative and inclusive. It is expected that the 2 cultural and tourist sites will be visited by 1.600 visitors/year and that 275 participations in joint actions across borders will be registered.

Moreover, the project is expected to have positive effects on the local economies and contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region by recognising and making good use of cultural heritage as a driving force for the cultural and creative sectors, and to the Territorial Agenda 2030 by creating touristic products that promote the economic development based on the shared cultural and historical heritage and thus promote territorial cohesion. It also contributes to the implementation of national strategies for development (National Development and Territorial Development Concept of Hungary) and regional strategies for culture and tourism (Timiș County Cultural Strategy).