Connecting Cultural Heritage: Representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Slovenia Meet in Novo Mesto

NOVO MESTO — On May 27, 2026, the Dolenjski muzej Novo mesto hosted an important professional meeting bringing together representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Slovenia. The main purpose of the event was to assess the current status of these international networks on Slovenian soil and to explore new opportunities for mutual connection, cooperation, and enhanced visibility.

During the meeting, participants actively presented their current projects, exchanged examples of best practices, and discussed strategies to strengthen the recognition of this rich cultural heritage—both within Slovenia and across the wider European space. Closer networking among the various routes was highlighted as both a key challenge and a major opportunity for a more integrated promotion of cultural tourism.
A Wide Network of Partners and Academic Institutions

The meeting brought together a remarkably diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to reviving and preserving European heritage in Slovenia. The event featured active participation from the following cultural routes, government ministries, and educational institutions:

International Cultural Routes:

Iron Age Danube Route

Pot sv. Jakoba Camino - Slovenija (St. James Way)

European Cemeteries Route

The Phoenicians' Route

Women Writers Route

The Routes of the Olive Tree

Via Sancti Martini (St. Martin's Way)

Educational and Governmental Institutions:

Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor

Faculty of Humanities (University of Primorska)

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia

Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme

Co-organized by the Dolenjski muzej (an active member of the Iron Age Danube Route) and the Faculty of Tourism UM (part of the Academic Network for Cultural Routes Studies), the meeting concluded with the formulation of clear guidelines for future joint projects aimed at firmly anchoring Slovenian cultural heritage on the European map