#CULTROUTE Cultural heritage without borders: the international project ‘The Thematic Route of Castles 2 (CULT.ROUTE)’ was launched.

Cultural heritage without borders: the international project ‘The Thematic Route of Castles 2 (CULT.ROUTE)’ was launched.

On 3 April 2025, in the historical centre of Ivano-Frankivsk, in the dungeons of the City Hall, a kick-off press conference of the project "The Thematic Route of Castles 2 (CULT.ROUTE)", implemented within the framework of the Interreg VI-A Next Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine programme, took place.

Deputy Mayor Sviatoslav Nykorovych welcomed the participants. Director of the Department of Investment Policy, Projects, International Relations, Tourism and City Promotion Ihor Popadiuk, Director of the Municipal Enterprise "City Development and Recreation Centre" Ruslana Vasyliuk, and Project Manager Khrystyna Melnyk presented the project, describing its key objectives and expected results. The event was also attended by Oksana Shyychuk, an expert from the Interreg VI-A Next Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme Branch Office in Ivano-Frankivsk, who congratulated the team on the successful launch of the initiative. The guest speaker was Rostyslav Derzhypilskyi, Director General of the Ivano-Frankivsk Drama Theatre, who shared ideas on possible areas of cooperation within the project.

The CULT.ROUTE project is aimed at developing tourism infrastructure and preserving unique historical monuments. The initiative will provide for restoration of the dendrological park near Vecsey Castle in Romania, restore the roof of the Tapay Mansion in Hungary, and creatation of a space for cultural events in the dungeons of Ivano-Frankivsk City Hall. An integrated website will also be created, equipment purchased to promote the route, excursion programmes, a cross-border castle festival and events for the European Heritage Days will be organised.

This initiative will help to increase the tourist attractiveness of the regions, create new opportunities for local communities, attract investment in cultural tourism and strengthen cross-border cooperation. The total project budget is over 750 thousand euros, of which 90% is funded by the European Union. More than 178 thousand euros are provided for Ivano-Frankivsk, which will be used to develop the city's cultural potential.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Department of Investment Policy, Projects, International Relations, Tourism and City Promotion of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.