Review of cultural itineraries
Introduction
The European Heritage Label (in English: European Heritage Label; in French: Label du patrimoine européen) is a distinction granted by the European Union to "monuments, archaeological, underwater, natural, industrial or urban sites, places of memory, cultural landscapes, contemporary heritage or intangible heritage, associated with a place, which have played a fundamental role in the history of Europe, European integration or Union."[1] Distinguished sites are sometimes known as "EHL sites," using the English acronym.
European Heritage Stamp
Award criteria
The Seal will be awarded to places symbolic of the history of Europe or related to the European integration process, in order to recognize not only their aesthetic or architectural value, but rather their European character and educational function in accordance with European principles and values; monuments, natural or industrial locations, historical places or "contemporary" heritage sites may receive the seal.[2][3][4].
It is awarded according to three unique criteria:.
• - Have a symbolic European value, either for having played a fundamental role in European history or culture, in European integration or in the history of the EU. The site may be linked to a key element or figure in European history, but it may also have exerted a transnational influence, especially in promoting common values of coexistence.
• - Be a project that promotes the European dimension, in a dynamic and attractive way to make visitors aware of the European dimension of the site, in addition to organizing educational activities and facilitating access and understanding for foreigners.
• - Have a well-defined work plan with activities aimed at adequately preserving and conserving the site, receiving the visitor with clear and quality information and indications, facilitating access to the widest possible public, privileging access for young people, promoting that makes sustainable tourism possible and respects the environment.
The Label should be complementary to other initiatives, such as the World Heritage List and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, both of UNESCO, and the European Cultural Itineraries of the Council of Europe. Its added value should be based on the contribution of the selected sites to European history and culture, including the building of the Union, on a clear educational dimension that reaches citizens, especially young people, and on the establishment of networks between the sites to share experiences and good practices. The action should focus mainly on the promotion and access of the sites, and on the quality of the information and the proposed activities, rather than on their conservation, the guarantee of which must correspond to the already existing conservation regimes (considering 8).[5].