From European Recognition to Future Heritage Management in Slovakia
The Medieval Wall Paintings of the Gemer and Malohont Regions, a European Heritage Label Site, continues to strengthen its role in European heritage preservation through both international recognition and professional collaboration. From receiving one of Europe’s most prestigious heritage awards to hosting an international academy on heritage management, the initiative demonstrates how cultural heritage can inspire sustainable regional development and international cooperation.
European Recognition for the Gothic Route Initiative
On 28 May 2026, the Gothic Route initiative was honoured during the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards Ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Recognised in the Citizen Engagement and Awareness-Raising category, the initiative was praised for nearly two decades of dedicated work restoring and promoting the medieval churches of the Gemer and Malohont regions. Since 2008, the association has combined high-quality conservation with strong community involvement, helping preserve some of Slovakia’s most remarkable medieval monuments, including churches whose wall paintings are protected under the European Heritage Label.
The jury highlighted the initiative as a sustainable model for heritage preservation in a disadvantaged region, demonstrating how cultural heritage can support regional development while actively engaging local communities.
The ceremony brought together around 300 heritage professionals and institutional representatives from across Europe, including European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, Europa Nostra Executive President Professor Hermann Parzinger, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, and Deputy Minister of Culture Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou.
Looking Ahead with the V4 Heritage Academy
Building on this international recognition, the V4 Heritage Academy 2026 will take place in Rožňava, Slovakia, from 29 June to 4 July, bringing together heritage experts from across the Visegrad countries.
This year’s edition focuses on the management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites while exploring the relationship between UNESCO and the European Heritage Label. A central theme will be the future of the Gothic churches of the Gemer and Abov regions, which have remained on Slovakia’s UNESCO Tentative List since the 1990s.
The five-day programme combines expert lectures, workshops, and site visits, allowing participants to exchange knowledge on heritage management, sustainability, conservation, and regional development. Particular attention will be given to how the successful experience of the European Heritage Label can inform future approaches to UNESCO recognition.
Hosted locally by the Gothic Route initiative and organised in collaboration with partners including the International Cultural Centre (Poland), the Monument Board of Slovakia, the National Heritage Institute of the Czech Republic, and ICOMOS Hungary, the Academy highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in protecting Europe’s shared heritage.
Together, these two milestones demonstrate how the European Heritage Label extends beyond recognition. By celebrating past achievements while investing in future expertise, the Gothic Route initiative continues to position the medieval heritage of Gemer and Malohont as a model for sustainable heritage management across Europe.