European Heritage in Focus: Cisterscapes Events Showcase Monastic Legacy and Cultural Connections
In a series of festive and culturally rich events, the Cisterscapes network showcased its European Heritage Label (EHL) recognition and celebrated the historical significance of monastery landscapes in Germany and beyond.
On July 7, 2024, Wunsiedel, Germany, hosted the “Day of the Franconians” at the Luisenburg festival grounds. This event brought together the Cisterscapes sub-sites of Ebrach Monastery and Waldsassen Monastery, where both sites engaged the public in an array of hands-on activities aimed at children and young people. The day was marked by the presentation of the European Heritage Label for Cisterscapes by Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder and County Administrator Johann Kalb, highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting the rich history of the Cistercian heritage. Over 2,000 attendees, including officials from Bavaria and the Czech Republic, were in attendance, making it a notable occasion for cross-border collaboration.
The festivities continued with the “Bamberg Children’s Festival” on July 8, 2024, in the county of Bamberg. Held at the Giechburg, this event featured the Cisterscapes sub-site of Ebrach Monastery, offering a full day of interactive programs designed for younger audiences. Children had the chance to engage in creative activities such as designing a monastery landscape at a sand table and exploring the cultural landscape using the Cisterscapes app. This event attracted numerous visitors and underscored the educational value of historical sites.
The culmination of these events was the “Heinrichsfest” on July 14, 2024, in the city of Bamberg, where the Cisterscapes network played a significant role in celebrating the 1000-year commemoration of Emperor Saint Henry. This ecclesiastical event saw over 2,000 guests, including a mix of official representatives from church, ministries, and governments. The Cisterscapes presentation provided information about the EHL and offered an engaging program of activities focused on the monastery landscape, further reinforcing the network’s commitment to preserving and celebrating European heritage.
New contacts were made at all events and the idea of the EHL was presented. Among other things, important impulses were provided for intensifying cross-border cooperation with tourism professionals from the Czech Republic and Polish stakeholders from the monastery network in Poland.
A series of events (trail opening, culinary heritage, gourmet market, EHL seal party) are planned for September and October within the Cistercapes network. These will take place in Germany, Austria and Slovenia and here in the monastery landscapes of Ebrach 21/22th of September; Rein, 28th of September and Zwettl, 4/5th of October; Stična and Kostanjevica na Krki, 20th of September/1th of October. Guests from outside the Cisterscapes network are also welcome. All dates can be found in the events calendar at the webside.
For more information, please see the official website.
