Cyril and Methodius Route Brochure

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Velehrad

Czech Republic

The Dražov chapel, Slovakia

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an international network of partners that is seeking to raise the profile of and preserve unique European heritage and the authentic story of Cyril and Methodius’ mission by means of the acquisition of a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe certificate. The network’s activities support the living legacy of Cyril and Methodius and Christian roots and values based on respect and a dialogue between people of different cultures and faiths.

The route connects significant places and institutions presenting the still relevant legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers. Throughout the entire year, it offers Europeans and other interested parties a varied cultural-educational program and cultural and pilgrimage tourism products coordinated under the logo of the Cyril and Methodius Route by the route’s association of partners.

Emphasis is placed on strengthening the regional development and the European cultural identity of the involved territories.

The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe The concept of cultural routes was established by the Council of Europe in 1987 with the aim of implementing the key cultural principles of the Council of Europe: human rights, cultural democracy, cultural diversity and identity, dialogue and mutual exchange and enrichment across borders and centuries. The goal of the Council of Europe is to demonstrate how various cultures have contributed to our common European cultural heritage by means of routes leading through time and space.

“A cultural route can be defined as a project involving cultural and educational heritage and the cooperation of tourism focussed on the development and support for one or more routes/itineraries based on the same theme with multinational significance and which understands and respects common European values”.

The statues of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the chapel on Radhošt in the Beskydy Mountains, the Czech Republic.

Dialogue as the European value of the future The route’s overarching theme is dialogue as the European value of the future. This is the main idea for contemporary residents of Europe inspired by the teaching and actions of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers. Today’s Europeans should be capable of entering into dialogue and peaceful behaviour.

Outlook for the development of the trails in the Cyril and Methodius Route in Europe

Contents 4 The historical, cultural and spiritual legacy of the early Middle Ages

Příbram Horažďovice

Czech Republic

Český Těšín Sv. Kopeček Žďár n. S. Olomouc Sv. Hostýn Radhošť Křtiny Terchová

Regensburg

Stuttgart

Zlín

Brno

Passau

St. Pölten

Trnava

Austr i a St. Lambrecht

Carnuntum

Treviso Padova

Verona

Idrija

Kőszeg

Brezje

Solt

Trdkova

Maribor

Radenci

Zalavár

Ptuj

Kaposvár

Ljubljana

Podgrad

Siklós

Pomposa Comacchio

I taly Lucca

Firenze

Bologna

Zrenjanin

Montefiore Conca

Siena

Beograd

Sarajevo Urbino

Kostolac

Tuzla

Cesena Rimini

Ancona Loreto

S er bia

Split

Gúbbio

Crvena Reka Perugia

Todi San Cassiano

Viterbo Corchiano

Sofia Prishtina

Podgorica

Pescara

Campagnano

ROMA Foggia Tirana Bari

Durrës

Taranto

Burgas Rila

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Ochrid

Al ba nia

Varna

Veliko Tarnovo

B u l ga r ia Kazanlak

Bojana

Skopje

Napoli

Pleven

Montana Klisurski

Montenegro

Assisi

27 The European-wide legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Bačka Palanka

Bosnia and Hercegovina

Ravenna

Forli

10 The association’s activities, The benefits of membership in the association

2

Timisoara

Doroslovo Osijek

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius has been listed as a candidate Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2015 and as such it is entitled to use the Cyril and Methodius Route logo with the Council of Europe logo in conjunction with the text “Cultural Route Official Candidate”.

Sremska Mitrovica Parma

9 The association’s bodies, The association’s organisation and management structure

Beli Manastir

Cro atia

Piacenza

Genova

Baja

Pécs Zagreb

Predjama

Venezia

H u nga r y

Veszprém

Rodine

Debrecen

Budapest

Székesfehervár

Sarvár

Graz

The European Institute of Cultural Routes Moldova The executive body of the European Institute of Cultural Routes was established in 1998 for the operational purposes of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe program. Its task is to investigate applications for cultural route certification from new projects, to monitor the activities in this area, to coordinate the work of the partner organisations and to R om a n ia archive documents.

Esztergom

Kesztölc

Bük

Szombathely

S l ove ni a Trieste

Štúrovo Komárno

Bruck an Mur

Seckau

Klagenfurt am W.

Villach

Mojstrana

Aquileia

Nitra

Bratislava

Mariazell

Gurk

Udine

Marianka

Wien

Sopron

Salzburg

Spišské Podhradie

Banská Bystrica

S l ova k ia

Šaštín

Amstetten

Bolzano

Skalka n. V.

Mikulčice

Tulln an der Donau Linz

München

Liptovský Mikuláš

Velehrad

Levoča

Znojmo

Mikulov

Innsbruck

Since October 1987, when the Way of Saint James was established as the first Council of Europe Cultural Route, their number has ine increased to the current 32, all of which Uk ra represent cross-border cultural cooperation across Europe along routes and in places that illustrate the rich diversity of our common European culture and heritage.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Ostrava

Č. Budějovice

Ellwangen

Kraków

Raciborz

Opava

Sázava

Nürnberg

8 The Association of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

12 The members of the ECRCM

Hradec Králové

Praha

6 The pilgrimage trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route

11 The association’s network of partners

Katowice

Stará Boleslav Levý Hradec

Plzeň

Milano

Pol a n d

Toszek

G er m any Würzburg

The route’s sub-themes •• identity in dialogue (for example: the roots of Slavic culture; Slavs in the Middle Ages) •• the dialogue of life – the ordinary and the special (for example: the traditions, crafts and food of the ancient Slavs) •• culture in dialogue (for example: walking in the footsteps of Cyril and Methodius; the establishment and development of Slav alphabet, law and liturgy; Old Church Slavonic literary monuments; cinematic art; the art of the nations) •• religion in dialogue (ecumenical dialogue; the Christian East and West) •• the tradition of respecting the particular and the universal in dialogue (veneration of the saints; travels and pilgrimage)

Czestochowa Opole

The criteria for the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe program According to Resolution ResCM(2013)67 regulating the rules for award­ ing the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe certification: 1. The definition of a European theme created and developed by a group of multidisciplinary specialists with the aim of ascertaining whether the activities and projects that illustrate it are based on consensus.

2. The identification of the tangible and intangible heritage associ­ ated with the theme of the route and the explanation as to why it is relevant.

3. The creation of a European network with a legal status establishing a multidisciplinary network of members from at least three member states of the Council of Europe.

4. The coordination of joint activities in five developmental areas: • cooperation in research and development, • enhancement of memory, history and European heritage • cultural and educational exchanges for young Europeans • contemporary cultural and artistic practice • cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development.

5. The joint visibility of the route enabling the identification of its individual parts and ensuring its recognisability and cohesion across Europe.

G reece

Pazardzhik Plovdiv

Rakovski Parvomaj Edirna

Kavala

Thessaloniki Athos

Tu r key Istanbul

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

3

The historical, cultural and spiritual legacy of the early Middle Ages The period of 800-1000 AD is of special significance in European history, as it was a time when many Central European nations entered the world stage and for some it was the time of their formation and birth. The roots and traditions of existing states and the cultural, historical and political relations between them stretch back to this period. The process of consolidation finally began in the 8th century after the restless and eventful periods marked by the gradual fall of the Roman Empire and the migration of tribes and entire nations. The Frankish Carolingian dynasty unified Western Europe under its influence. In Eastern Europe, the influence and significance of emerging Bulgaria, which had broken free from the influence of Byzantine Empire, began to grow. The expansion of the Frankish Empire at the turn of the 9th centuries was the cause of the demise of the Avar Khaganate in the Pannonian Basin. It was, however, also the impulse for the formation of new centres of power and politics in the eastern Alpine area, Croatia, Dalmatia and Transdanubia, but also to the north of the Danube in the Nitra area and in Moravia and Bohemia. The principalities established there were the embryos of future states: Austria, Croatia and Serbia and a state known as Great Moravia in later written sources. The later weakening of central Frankish power in this area enabled the emergence of Hungary and Austria.

The gates were also opened to the spread of Christianity at that time. In this period, the territory of central Transdanubia and Great Moravia was where Byzantine interests and influences met those of the Frankish Empire. Cyril and Methodius’ mission was a significant attempt at bridging these two cultural-political areas, and their missionary pilgrimage brought together a wide area around the Danube.

The Apostles to the Slavs Saints Cyril and Methodius, patron saints of Europe, brothers, Byzantine Christian theologians and missionaries from Thessaloniki. Their vision significantly influenced the cultural development of all the Slavs. That is why they are also known as the “Apostles to the Slavs”. Regarded as the most influential spiritual leaders, the brothers played a fundamental role in spreading the Christian faith in the lands of central, eastern and southeastern Europe and generally in the development of the culture of the Slavic lands. They indirectly influenced the formation and organisation of early medieval European states. Cyril and Methodius’ mission falls within the period of the Great Moravian Empire in the 9th century. Cyril and Methodius created an alphabet for the Slavs (known as the Glagolitic alphabet), created the first Slav literary and liturgical language, and translated liturgical books and Scripture into the Slavic language. They subsequently defended Old Church Slavonic as a liturgical language so they could celebrate Mass in the language of the people to whom they were proclaiming the Gospel. They also educated a number of followers who subsequently spread Christianity further among the Slavs. Saints Cyril and Methodius and their most significant followers, Saint Gorazd, Saint Clement of Ohrid, Saint Naum, Saint Angelar and Saint Sava, were venerated as the Seven Saints beginning in the 17th century.

In 1880, Pope Leo XIII included their feast day on the Roman Catholic calendar and in 1980 Pope John Paul II declared both brothers patron saints of Europe.

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The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The Modrá Archaeological Open-Air Museum

Great Moravian fortified settlements — centres of power, religion, trade and production Fortified settlements are located throughout Slavic territory. The fortified settlements were located in strategic positions. The most important were established near the largest rivers and on the main roads. They were the main centres of power, religion, trade and production and they also formed the backbone of the defence system. They were found at Mikulčice and Uherské Hradiště-Staré Město in Moravia, for example, and at Nitra in Slovakia. These fortified settlements already had urban characteristics. In addition to the residences of the princely class, there were also churches, granaries, farm buildings and others. There were cemeteries near the churches, and markets were held within the fortified settlements. Several larger and smaller settlements or the courts of noblemen were located near one another, and the literature therefore speaks of settlement agglomerations. Smaller settlements were the seats of noblemen known as zhupans. In Slovakia, these included, for example, Ducové and Pobedim, while in Moravia they included Břeclav-Pohansko and Brno-Staré Zámky. The most important settlements were those with a guard function located at higher elevations with a good view of the surrounding area. These included Devín. Other fortified settlements were located in lowlands (Pohansko u Nejdku, Rajhrad, etc.).

Sacred structures — centres of the Christian faith Christian sacred structures are used to celebrate the Eucharist and are places of collective and individual memory. The work On the Conversion of the Bavarians and Corinthians to the Faith includes mention of the consecration of a church in Nitra. Today it is presumed that this event may have taken place in 828. Archaeological finds testify to the existence of Christianity among the Slavs mainly at fortified settlements and centres of power. The remains of sacred structures are direct evidence of the presence of Christianity. Archaeological excavations in Moravia and Slovakia, specifically in Staré Město, Mikulčice, Pohansko near Břeclav and Modrá near Velehrad and later in Nitra, Bratislava and Ducové, have provided evidence of stone sacred architecture dating from the 9th century. Current knowledge suggests that most of the churches in the territory of Moravia and Slovakia from the period of the existence of Great Moravia were constructed prior to the arrival of the Byzantine mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The oldest sacred structures are considered to be Uherské Hradiště-Sady (the eastern section with the rectangular end), Mikulčice Church No. 2 and Modrá near Velehrad. Churches in Staré Město (Na Valách and Na Špitálkách), Břeclav-Pohansko, Mikulčice (Church Nos. 3, 4 and 6) and probably the basilica in Bratislava were also probably built before the arrival of Cyril and Methodius. Some of the sacred structures were established after the arrival of Cyril and Methodius in the territory of Great Moravia. The question of Pribina’s church in Nitra has not yet been solved.

Glagolitic alphabet — the direct legacy of Cyril and Methodius’ mission The Glagolitic alphabet was the first Slavic alphabet and language.

The name Glagolitic comes from the Old Church Slavonic word “glagol” meaning “word”. The Glagolitic alphabet was created around the year 862 by Saint Cyril. Its preparation was initiated in response to the need to create an alphabet to record the liturgical texts in the Slavic language. The Glagolitic alphabet presents a graphic system, and during its creation Cyril drew inspiration from various alphabetical systems. There are several theories regarding the origins of the individual symbols. Part of the script is derived from the minuscule symbols of the Greek alphabet. It is an interesting fact that each letter was assigned a number, so this also represented the first Slav numerical system. The Glagolitic script gradually spread to other Slavic lands (Bohemia, Bulgaria, Croatia and others). It was later replaced

by Cyrillic. A specific type of Glagolitic script (known as Croatian Glagolitic) was created in Croatia. The Glagolitic script was in regular use in Croatia until the 15th century and it persisted until the early 20th century.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

5

Czestochowa

The pilgrimage trails of the Cyril Gand e rmany Methodius Route

Opole

Katowice

Stará Boleslav Levý Hradec

Hradec Králové

Praha

Würzburg

Příbram Horažďovice

The product strategy of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Ellwangen Methodius defines three “spinal” trails in the Cyril and Methodius Route in the Stuttgart imaginary triangle of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius’ travels through Europe, i.e. Thessaloniki - Velehrad - Rome. The strategy assumes the gradual physical construction of new routes, as well as the use of existing pilgrimage trails, but also the virtual networking of places with the same thematic orientation in various locations along the trails of the Cyril and Methodius Routes in Europe. München

Žďár n. S.

Passau

Wien

Villach

Mojstrana

Kőszeg

Seckau

Szombathely

Aquileia Treviso Padova

Milano

I taly

Rome

Székesfehervár

Sarvár Veszprém

Solt

Trdkova

Klagenfurt am W.

Maribor

Brezje

Radenci

Hungar y

A network of proposed pilgrimage routes in Central Europe with its centre in Velehrad

Zalavár

Ptuj

Kaposvár

Slovenia Predjama

Trieste

Podgrad

Zagreb

Siklós

Cro atia

Beli Manastir

Firenze

Timisoara

Doroslovo Osijek

Forli

Montefiore Conca

Siena

Perugia Istanbul

Ohrid

Rimini

Zrenjanin

Assisi

Viterbo Corchiano

Beograd

Kostolac

Tuzla

The creation of this basic radial trail was inspired by traditional organised Christian pilgriSarajevo mages.

The trails continue to other more distant places of pilgrimage in the Czech Republic Urbino Ancona countries (Krakow, Čenstochová, Prague-Levý Hradec, Nitra, Marianka and the surrounding Loreto and Mariazell). The Cyril and Methodius Route have not only beenSplit designed for pilgrims, but Gúbbio also for anyone who wishes to discover the secrets of European cultural identity and Cyril and Methodius’ legacy, which combines the wisdom of language, the rule of law and respect for every living creature.

S erbia

Cr

Montenegro

The pilgrimage trails have been designed to connect places of pilgrimage and at the same time provide information about the legacy of the Early Middle Ages. This involves tangible monuments, such as sacred structures, statues, paintings, archaeological findings, dig sites and Prishtina San Cassiano archaeological parks (Slavic fortified settlements, museums, galleries, libraries and their cultural collections and exhibitions), and heritage of an Podgorica Pescara intangible nature. This involves thoughts, ideas and symbolic and cognitive systems (language, script, language). This includes, for example, Slavic script (the Glagolitic alphabet created by Constantine (Cyril), which is connected with Cyrillic and the Russian alphabet), Slavic languages and literaCampagnano ture, cultural and educational events and programs inspired by their legacy or the Christian tradition of Cyril and Methodius.

Skopje Todi

Thessaloniki

Bosnia and Hercegovina

trails of the Czech Hiking Club (suitable mainly for walking) exist virtually. The so-called entry Ravenna points to the route have been proposed as important pilgrimage sites: Radhošť, Svatý Kopeček, Cesena Křtiny, Skalka nad Váhom and Šaštín.

Aquileia Venice

Sofia

Bük

Debrecen

Budapest

The Cyril and Methodius Route presents a set of trails focussed on travelling in the footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius Venezia Bačka Palanka and their followers (the Seven Saints) that connect church, early medieval and other cultural monuments,

Bologna

Belgrade

Esztergom

Kesztölc

Pomposa Comacchio At present, five basic trails leading to Velehrad from various directions and which use the marked

Krakow

Lucca

Štúrovo

cultural institutions or other tourist and natural attractions whose primary destination is the Velehrad Sremska Mitrovica pilgrimage site.

Parma

Budapest

Nitra

Komárno

Graz

Rodine

Banská Bystrica

Pécs The primaryIdrija goal is to Ljubljana build the Cyril and Methodius Route in Central Europe or “Spinal RouteBaja A”, which is defined as a Udine network of radial trails with their centre in Velehrad and connections to routes leading to Rome and Thessaloniki.

Spinal Route C – Eastern Europe, the route passes through the following states: TR, GR, BG, F.Y.R.O.M., SRB, HR, H The route as an instrument of dialogue among the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. The destination of the pilgrimage: Velehrad – Thessaloniki - Ohrid.

Verona The route will play a significant role both inMilano Cyril and Methodius symbolism and mainly as a call for Eastern European countries to become acquainted with and discover Central European culture and for the other European na­ tions to explore the Eastern countries. Piacenza

Genova

Bratislava

Carnuntum

Bruck an Mur

St. Lambrecht

Spinal Route B – Southern Europe, passing through the states of I, A and SLO The route as an instrument of dialogue among the nations of Southern Europe. The destination of the pilgrimage: Rome - Velehrad. A key pilgrimage route Bolzano in the north – south direction, north – Rome.

Marianka

Sopron

Mariazell

Austria

Trnava

Tulln an der Donau

Spišské Podhradie

Slovak ia

Šaštín

Salzburg

Innsbruck

Skalka n. V.

Mikulčice

Mikulov

St. Pölten

Liptovský Mikuláš

Velehrad

Levoča

Gurk

Velehrad

Zlín

Brno

Znojmo

Amstetten

Prague

Český Těšín Sv. Kopeček Olomouc Sv. Hostýn Radhošť Křtiny Terchová

Č. Budějovice

Linz

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Ostrava

Czech Republic

Regensburg

Kraków

Raciborz

Opava

Sázava

Plzeň

The long-term plan to build a network of pilgrimage trails has a European diNürnberg mension and its theme (Dialogue as the European Value of the Future) brings the countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe together.

THE PROJECT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SPINAL ROUTES/PRODUCTS: Spinal Route A – Central Europe, the route passes through the following states: CZ, SK, PL, A, H The route as an instrument of dialogue among the nations of Central Europe.

A key route in the project from the point of view of the significance of Velehrad in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as in relation to Poland, Hungary and the dense network of pilgrimage routes in Austria.

Poland

Toszek

ROMA The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

7 Macedon

The association’s bodies The association’s supreme body is the General Assembly consisting of the association’s full members. The association Chairman is an honorary and representative function. The Chairman participates in important events with an impact on the fulfilment of the association’s goals and acts in favour of the realisation of said goals. The director is the association’s authorised representative and is responsible for the management, personnel policies and performance of the tasks of the Permanent Secretariat. The Permanent Secretariat is the association’s executive, coordinating and administrative body.

In 2015, the General Assembly approved two committees (the Scientific and the Managing Committee) and the associated internal standards. The Scientific Committee is an ancillary, multidisciplinary and international expert team. The Managing Committee consists of

the association’s founding members and members, higher-level territorial administrative unit (regions). It contributes to the formulation of strategies and jointly decides on the use of the membership fees. It also fulfils the function of a supervisory body.

The executive body of the association is the Permanent Secretariat, which was established on 1 January 2014. The number of employees and the scope of the activities is derived from the size of the gradually emerging agenda within the framework of the ECRCM and the decisions of the General Assembly. One of the main activities involves the search for various sources of financing for the sub-projects at a regional, national and international level from various grant programs and also from donors. The Permanent Secretariat is the contact office for the members and other partners of the route.

The association’s organisation and management structure Cyril and Methodius Route Conference in Nitra

Chairman

The Association of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius The initial idea to create a route as a product with a European dimension arose in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic in 2011, and the potential of the route in the form of European historical and cultural heritage associated with the mission of Cyril and Methodius has subsequently led to the development of a network of partners.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an interest association of legal entities established in 2013 with the aim of developing the future certificated Cyril and Methodius Route. The title of a European Cultural Route is awarded by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to routes that have legal subjectivity, their own logo, a theme that extends beyond the borders of a single state and joint activities in at least three countries.

Committee. More information on this process is available from the association’s secretariat.

Evropská kulturní stezka sv. Cyrila a Metoděje, z.s.p.o.

J. A. Bati 5520, 760 01 Zlín CZECH REPUBLIC Tel.: +420 577 043 907 info@cyril-methodius.eu, www.cyril-methodius.eu www.facebook.com/sv.cyrilmethodius

GENERAL ASSEMBLY Supreme Management Body Member 1

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

GM Chairman

Director

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Expert Body

PERMANENT SECRETARIAT Executive Body

.......

Member 5

Member x

MC Chairman MANAGING COMMITTEE Management and Supervisory Body

Membership in the association

The association makes use of two types of membership, i.e. full and associate membership. Territorially autonomous areas (regions, etc.), cities, municipalities, regional associations, associations of cities and municipalities, tourism organisations (established by a region or a city), trading companies and international institutions, institutes and universities can become full members. All other types of legal entities, with the exception of the aforementioned, can become associate members. The rights and responsibilities of the members are set out in the Articles of Association.

Project Team 1

How is it possible to become a new member of the association?

Relatively easily. Parties interested in membership in the association, i.e. in an international partnership network, and wish to participate in managing the Cyril and Methodius Route submit an application to join the association, in which they agree to the valid Articles of Association and meet the given conditions (for example, the payment of the relevant membership fee). The application will be discussed by the General Meeting on the basis of a recommendation by the Scientific

8

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

.......

Project Team x

other partners and local, regional, national and international stakeholders

The association’s headquarters in Building 22 in Zlín, next to regional‘s seat known as the Baťa skyscraper

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

9

The presentation to the European Parliament in Strasbourg

A workshop in the Event Centre of Staré Město

Saint George Rotunda in Thessaloniki

The association’s network of partners The members of the association constitute the basis for the network of partners:

Cyril and Methodius’ travels, the Slavic Archaeology Centre, Uherské Hradiště

The association’s activities NETWORKING – the creation of a network of members and partners; HOLDING EVENTS for the members and the public – specialist conferences, the General Assembly meeting, travelling exhibitions, workshops and Cyril and Methodius wandering; COMMUNICATION – a website, a Facebook profile, newsletters, ECRCM event calendars and personal promotion at the events;

The benefits of membership in the association Membership in the ECRCM especially brings the following advantages: • The use and acknowledgement of the heritage of Cyril and Methodius and early medieval cultural heritage by means of the overarching logo of the Cyril and Methodius Route.

• The reinforcement of the significance of the early medieval centres as the cultural, educational and spiritual centres of the Slavic lands and therefore as part of Europe.

• The Cyril and Methodius Route project provides the involved parties with promotion on a local, national and European level. Lesser known sites and monuments will also benefit from cross marketing.

• The use of the marketing potential of the established Cyril and Methodius Route logo.

• The use of the new network of pilgrimage trails on the Cyril and Methodius Route linking the main points of veneration of Cyril and Methodius and their legacy, such as pilgrimage sites, early medieval monuments and cultural-educational institutions, with its centre in Velehrad.

• The transfer of know-how from the European Institute of Cultural Routes and from certified and other European cultural routes based on their status as a Candidate Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

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The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The presentation at the Archaeological Open-Air Museum in Modrá

DATABASE CREATION AND PROMOTION of Cyril and Methodius’ cultural legacy; THE CREATION OF A NETWORK OF PILGRIMAGE TRAILS on the Cyril and Methodius Route with its centre in Velehrad; PROJECT ACTIVITIES – the preparation and participation of projects developing cultural tourism on a cross-border and multinational level; THE COMPILATION OF CONCEPTUAL DOCUMENTS for the Cyril and Methodius Route.

• The growth in the level of the provided cultural-educational and tourist services arising from the expansion of the offer to include sophisticated cultural tourism products for a varied target group will bring an economic benefit to the involved territory.

• The offer of cooperation on the projects realised by the association and its members and the use of the outputs from the projects and activities realised by the Secretariat. The established partnership network constitutes the foundation for projects involving cooperation in the area of cultural heritage and other areas on a local, regional, cross-border, international and multinational level.

• The cooperation with partner regions contributes to the strengthening of the relationships with neighbouring territories and the strengthening of the Christian cultural identity among the inhabitants of these regions.

• The use of the association’s wide database of contacts for the members’ own projects in other areas of cooperation.

• The possibility of claiming part of the membership fees for project preparation or marketing.

• The ability to influence management of the route via a representative at the General Assembly and, in the case of the regions, on the association’s Managing Committee.

• Professional support from the association’s international Scientific Committee.

LIST OF MEMBERS the Czech Republic: the East-Moravian Tourist Authority (Centrála cestovního ruchu Východní Moravy, o.p.s.), the Zlín Region, the Olomouc Region, the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Tourist Authority South Moravia (Centrála cestovního ruchu Jižní Moravy, o.p.s.), the South Moravian Region

The Cyril and Methodius Festival, Bojná, Slovakia

Slovakia: the Trnava Self-Governing Region, the Nitra Self-Governing Region, the Nitra Tourism Board, the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, the Municipality of Močenok, The Zobor Embellishing Association (Zoborský skrášľovací spolok), the Trečín Self-Governing Region Greece: the City of Thessaloniki WE ALSO COOPERATE WITH: the Archbishopric of Olomouc, the Buchlov local action group, the Moravian Slovakian Museum in Uherské Hradiště, the Moravian Slovakia Region, the Czech Hiking Club, the Masaryk Museum in Hodonin, the Matice Velehradská, Matice svatokopecká, Matice Svatohostýnské, Matice svatoantonínská and Matice Radhošťská organisations, the Slavic Union, the Modrá Archaeological Open-Air Museum and others.

D

PL

CZ A SLO

I

UKR

SK H

UKR

HR BIH

SRB MNE

BG F.Y.R.O.M.

AL

GR

The Church of Saint Naum in Ohrid

Universities: Mendel University in Brno, Palacký University in Olomouc, Masaryk University in Brno and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Other partners abroad: the European Institute of Cultural Routes (LU), Cammini d‘Europa (IT), the Diocese of Vincenza (IT), the City of Ohrid and the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and the National Museum of Ohrid (F.Y.R.O.M), the Region of Central Macedonia (GR), the City of Celje (SL), the Croatian Ministry of Tourism (HR), the Istria Tourism Board (HR), the Diocese of Graz-Seckau (AU), the Regional Authority of Land Carinthia (AU), Slovak House of Centrope (SK), the Association of Pilgrimage Organisations (SK), the Slovak Hiking Club (SK).

We are supported by: Czech Tourism, the consulates and embassies in the Czech Republic and abroad, the Ministry for Local Development of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

11

The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

East-Moravian Tourist Authority

Zlín Region Centrála cestovního ruchu Východní Moravy, o.p.s.

J. A. Bati 5520, 761 90 Zlín Tel.: +420 577 043 190 E-mail: turistika@vychodni-morava.cz www.vychodni-morava.cz

A photo from the “Cyril and Methodius - the Authentic Story of our Country” roadshow project

The East-Moravian Tourist Authority (EMTA) is a non-profit organisation with the legal status of a public benefit organisation. It was established in 2007 by the Zlín Region and its mission is to support economic development and employment in the region, to increase the number of visitors to the region‘s various tourist areas and to create a network of partnerships in the tourism sector. The EMTA coordinates the development, promotion and presentation of tourism in the East Moravian tourist region, which covers the geographical territory of the Zlín Region, and aims to maximise the territory’s tourist potential. The EMTA and the Zlín Region are founders of the ECRCM Association.

Our contribution The EMTA has long been a vehicle for tourism projects aimed at so-called pilgrimage tourism and cultural tourism, which is precisely the mission of the Cyril and Methodius Route. The EMTA stood at the birth of the original idea to embark upon the project and it pre­ pared the basic documents, negotiated

a number of strategic partnerships and set up and described the basic principles for the functioning of the various parts of the Cyril and Methodius Route project. The association’s Permanent Secretariat was part of the EMTA for two years.

The EMTA has had extensive experience with the implementation of inter-region­ al projects resulting in highly interesting products, such as the Moravian Amber Trail project, the first project that not only connected regions inside the Czech Republic on the basis of a historical subject, but also created a special tourist offer in the Krakow - Vienna corridor. The Centre has prepared a number of interesting projects in the field of pilgrimage and cultural tourism that have been greatly praised by experts. These include, for example, the East Moravia Pilgrimage Route or most recently a project entitled Cyril and Methodius - the Authentic Story of our Country. It received the Tourism Grand Prix for both of these projects. The last named project informs the general public of the personalities, lives, work and

significance of Saints Cyril and Methodius in an engaging way and with the use of modern marketing techniques. It also presents the historically highly valuable period of the Great Moravian Empire.

The expected benefits The theme of the Cyril and Methodius Route constitutes a great challenge for the EMTA to create an offer in the tour­ ism segment that is absolutely original, not only in the Zlín Region, but also in all the other participating regions. The project provides an excellent opportunity in the field of cognitive tourism and is a great chance to create an original offer in the area of tourism services and infrastructure. And most importantly, it constitutes an opportunity to connect the public and business sectors, as well as an opportunity for the creation of new jobs and growth in employment in the affected regions.

Modrá, a replica of a medieval church

Zlínský kraj třída Tomáše Bati 21, 761 90 Zlín Tel.: +420 577 043 111 E-mail: podatelna@kr-zlinsky.cz www.kr-zlinsky.cz

Svatý Hostýn

The Zlín Region is one of fourteen semi-autonomous regions in the Czech Republic. It is located in the central part of Moravia and borders the Slovak Republic along its eastern edge.

The Zlín Region has a significant concentration of interesting monuments that attest to its rich history dating back to the time of the Great Moravian Empire. The region is characterised by a variety of picturesque landscapes with hilly mountain terrains, fertile plains and sunny vineyards. The region is famous for its spa tradition.

It is a modern region with a thriving industrial, business and university life.

Tourism is growing dynamically in the Zlín Region

ries of projects realised or supported by the Zlín Region. The celebrations of the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of the brothers from Thessaloniki in Moravia, which took place in 2013 and which the Zlín Region supported heavily, also launched a wide range of activities aimed at the development of church and pilgrimage tourism. The Zlín Region is seeking the certification of the route and its incorporation into the ranks of the 32 routes certified by the Council of Europe. The Zlín Region is a founding member of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius together with the EMTA. The region financially supports all of these

Our contribution Management of the Zlín Region is aware of its region’s deep cultural ­roots. The more than thousand-year tradition of Christianity associated with the year 863, when Cyril and Methodius began to carry out their missionary work in the areas around today´s Velehrad, has inspired a se-

activities, including the services of the Permanent Secretariat, which was fully funded from the Zlín Re­ gion’s budget until 2015.

The expected benefits It is an honour and a great opportunity for the Zlín Region to cooperate in the creation of a network that con­ nects the places associated with the activities of Saints Cyril and Methodius and reminds the contemporary world of Europe’s Christian roots. Naturally, this is also associated with an increase in the awareness of the Zlín Region in the other European regions and with an opportunity to enter into cooperation with new partners in the spheres of culture, education and tourism. The Zlín Region expects and is looking forward to new visitors based on the increasing phenomenon of pilgrimage tourism. The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius offers an opportunity for them to discover a way into a region that also has many other things to offer.

The Days of People of Goodwill at Velehrad

12

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

13

The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

Olomouc Region

Moravian-Silesian Region Moravskoslezský kraj 28. října 117, 702 18 Ostrava Tel.: +420 595 622 222 E-mail: posta@msk.cz www.severnimorava.travel

Olomoucký kraj Jeremenkova 40a, 779 11 Olomouc Tel.: +420 541 651 111 E-mail: posta@kr-olomoucky.cz www.kr-olomoucky.cz

The Chotěbuz Archaeology Park The Basilica Minor of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček

14

Our contribution The region’s territory offers many stories symbolising a connection with the ­themes of the Cyril and Methodius tradi­tion. The Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty is part of Palacký University, the second oldest university in the Czech Republic. The region’s territory is home to significant pilgrimage sites, such as the Basilica Minor of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček and the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Zlaté Hory. Visitors can see a 4.5 metre high group of statues of Cyril and Methodius in a church consecrated to both saints in Olomouc – Hejčín. The unconventional tales include the history of the establishment of the Chudobín churches and many others.

The expected benefits Just as the Olomouc Region territorially joins the individual Moravian regions,

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Zlaté Hory

the involvement of the Region in the development of the Cyril and Methodius trails will also enable the connection of the pilgrimage route north to Poland and west to Bohemia. The significant challenges include enabling pilgrims to become acquainted with the unique history of Silesia, which is interwoven with often eventful stories.

The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Olomouc-Hejčín

The Olomouc Region lies in the central section of Moravia and it reaches into its northern section, where it shares a 104 km long state border with Poland.

The Olomouc Region is a place of two distinctive tourist regions – the Jeseníky Mountains and Central Moravia. It is an ideal place for those who love mountains, bike tourism and historical, technical and natural monuments. The most significant area from the point of view of ethnography is the Haná area, while the Jeseníky Mountains are the most important from the perspective of active relaxation. The region’s natural centre is the city of Olomouc, whose Holy Trinity Column is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The gates of castles, châteaux, ruins and museums are open to history lovers. There is a rich network of cycle trails and many downhill skiing slopes for sportspeople. It is possible to relax in renowned spa centres.

The Moravian-Silasian Region is located in the easternmost part of the Czech Republic. It is mainly attractive to tour­ ists, pilgrims and the local inhabitants thanks to its diversity. It is home to beautiful nature, many entertainment opportunities, excellent spas and a wide offer of cycle tourism, hiking, swimming and skiing. Its history is hidden in picturesque castles and châteaux and there

are historical towns and unique technical monuments, as well as specific local traditions.

Our contribution The region has witnessed a number of significant historical events, while trade routes leading from the north to the south of Europe also passed through it.

There are a number of monuments in the region closely associated with the Cyril and Methodius theme. The entire project is associated with folk traditions handed down from generation to generation in the Moravian-Silesian Region.

As such, this will enable the centuries-old customs and traditions from the regions to enter the public consciousness.

modernisation or new construction of associated infrastructure and ancillary services used primarily for tourism will be included in the project and this in turn will result in increased interest in the Moravian-Silesian Region and will attract both Czech and international tourists to the area. The route will naturally extend the tourist season. It will have a significant influence on the development of cultural, church, accommodation and food facilities, which will also be positively reflected in the economy of the entire region.

The expected benefits Membership in the association is of great significance for the Moravian-Silesian Region, especially with regard to the renewal and development of cultural heritage and tourist attractions. The Hrčava – the wooden church

Lysá hora

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

Tourist Authority South Moravia

South Moravian Region Centrála cestovního ruchu – Jižní Morava, z.s.p.o.

Radnická 2, 602 00 Brno Tel.: +420 542 211 123 E-mail: info@ccrjm.cz www.ccrjm.cz

The Slavic settlement in Mikulčice

Tourist Authority South Moravia (TASM) is a tourism organisation that coordinates the development of this branch in South Moravia with the aim of utilising its full tourism potential. It was established 10 years ago as an associa­tion of legal entities: the South Moravian Region, the City of Brno and the regional representation of the Association of Commerce and Tourism. It coordinates the activities of subjects from the pri­vate and public sectors and creates special products from their services, which it promotes on the market under a common logo so that the main assets of an area rich in folk traditions, exceptional natural quality and numerous historical and cultural monuments are respected.

The TASM focuses on project activities, the creation of promotional materials, the presentation of the regional offer on websites and thematic pages and the provision of tourism information to the wider public.

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Our contribution There are several Great Moravian monuments in the South Moravian Region, of which at least two are directly associated with the activities of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The TASM has long dedicated itself to their promotion, to informing the regional authority and visitors of the tourism potential of these localities and to looking for ways of putting this potential to the best possible use. Recently, the centre has been involved in the preparation of two projects, within the framework of which research was undertaken among visitors to the Great Moravian locations in South and East Moravia and at Kopčany in the Trnava Region. It has compiled a report on the current condition of tourism infrastructure and the thematic offers in these locations within the framework of a project supported by a European grant. Two tourism publica­ tions on the Great Moravian monuments in all the involved territories have been

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Jihomoravský kraj Žerotínovo nám. 3, 601 82 Brno Tel.: +420 541 651 111 E-mail: posta@kr-jihomoravsky.cz www.kr-jihomoravsky.cz

published. The centre has also established a website at www.velka-morava.eu, which presents the comprehensive offer of these tourism locations, especially as an opportunity for use by schools and families with children within the framework of activities aimed at increasing knowledge and associ­ ated with increasing historical awareness.

The expected benefits

The Slavic fortified settlement in Mikulčice

The project should especially enable the further continuation of cooperation with all the involved institutions, while also making new (including cross-border) contacts with the aim of promoting Great Moravian monuments and the sites associated with the activities of Cyril and Methodius’ mission as significant destinations for discovery tour­ ism. It should also serve in connecting other common events and projects with this mis­ sion and contribute to increased awareness of the significance of the first state of the western Slavs and its cultural influence in the region of Central Europe.

Pohansko

The South Moravian Region is an economically significant region with an advantageous position in the south­ eastern part of the Czech Republic along the borders with Austria and Slovakia. The region’s centre is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno.

The South Moravian Region has long been the strategic crossroads of Eu­rope.

Christianity entered Europe through the region, many towns and cities were established along the local rivers throughout the centuries and vineyards and orchards still occupy the slopes to this day. It provides visitors with a diverse range of cultural, natural and technical monuments and especially caters to peo­ple who love folklore, vineyard tourism and cycle tourism, while relaxation is catered to by the local spas.

Our contribution There are a number of places associ­ ated with the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the territory of the South Moravian Region. First, it is necessary to mention the national cultural monument of the Slavic fortified settlement in Mikulčice, the site of the beginnings of Czech statehood and supposedly the place where Saints Constantine (Cyril) and Methodius were active. A Great Moravian castle with an extensive settlement below stood there in the 8th and 9th centuries. At present, visitors can become acquainted with the remains of the structure during a visit to the permanent exhibit and through the prepared programs. The fact that the legacy of the Slavic missionaries is still

Mikulčice

vibrant in South Moravia is borne out by the presence of an entire group of structures consecrated to Saints Cyril and Methodius and by the well-attend­ ed pilgrimages to these sites.

The expected benefits Involvement in the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius project will especially provide the South Moravian Region with options for the development of the region – the opportunity to develop in the area of culture and tourism and the associ­ated development of infrastructure, business, services and human resources.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

Trnava Self-Governing Region

Nitra Self-Governing Region Trnavský samosprávny kraj Starohájska 10, 917 01 Trnava Tel.: +421 335 559 111 E-mail: urad.vuc@trnava-vuc.sk www.trnava-vuc.sk

Nitriansky samosprávny kraj Rázusova 2A, 949 01 Nitra Tel.: +421 376 922 911 E-mail: info@unsk.sk www.unsk.sk

The expected benefits

the history of Great Moravia, constitute the authentic contribution of the NSR to the ECRCM project.

The unique Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch – Kopčany

As a result of its strategic position, the Trnava Self-Governing Region (TTSR) is one of the most significant regions in Slovakia. It neighbours three states; Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria. The regional capital, Trnava, has easy access to the European metropolises of Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest.

The TTSR is an industrial-agricultural region. The main branches of industrial potential are the automobile and electrotechnical industries and power engineering. The region brings together the diverse cultural areas of Záhorie, Považie and Žitný ostrov with their unique characteristic settlements, special folk architecture and local customs.

Moravia. The most significant Great Moravian archaeological site is the national cultural monument at Ducové – Kostolec. There is a fortified Great Moravian court and a rotunda with a horseshoe-shaped apse and with preserved foundations and parts of the masonry on a rocky promontory. It was established in the 9th century after the destruction of the fort in Podbedim. The Christian Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch, the oldest in Central Europe and located on the Moravian-Slovak border near the Mikulčice fortified settlement, is a significant Great Moravian monument mostly preserved in its original condition.

Area: 4,146 km2 Population: 560,150 Population density: 135 people/km2 Number of districts: 7 Number of towns/municipalities: 17/234

The Trnava Gate (Trnavská brána), an international folklore festival

Our contribution Archaeological excavations of sites in the region dating from the 8th and 9th centuries point to the period of Great The Smolenice château

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The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

New knowledge gained in the areas of archaeology, history and linguistics and support for the interest in regional history, such as the activities of cultural institutions and universities, form the basis for the strengthening of interest in the tradition of Cyril and Methodius and its development.

The significance of the activities of Cyril and Methodius in our territory is borne out by the fact that their values have been preserved to the present day. The fact that many educational institutions that bear the message of Cyril and Methodius in their name and mission continue to be established within the region is proof of this fact.

Membership in the ECRCM association creates opportunities for cooperation and the presentation of the cultural and social legacy and cultural values on a cross-border, regional and local level for the current and future generations.

Nitra Castle

The Nitra Self-Governing Region (NSR) is a semiautonomous unit active within the territory of the Nitra Region. The regional capital is Nitra. The region’s territory is home to 14 national and 44 nature reserves, 19 natural monuments and 46 protected areas. The Mlyňany Arboretum is also well-known. The NSR has 21 cultural institutions: 3 theatres, 5 museums, 5 libraries, 5 educational centres, 2 galleries and 1 observatory. The Nitra Bishopric has a Diocesan Museum, a Diocesan Library and the Seminary of Saint Gorazd. The region’s dominant features are its castles: the Nitra, Levice, Gýmeš, Oponice, Topoľčany, Hrušov and Čierný hrad castles. They are sup­ plemented by the cliff dwelling in the municipality of Brhlovce. 1,290 immovable and 2,526 movable national cultural monuments, 2 monument reserves, 6 heritage zones and 6 protected zones have been registered in the NSR. The region is also known for its viniculture, food tourism, eco-tourism, good travel conditions, cycle tourism and horse riding. A horse breeding centre is located

at the National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky. International exhibitions are regularly held at the Agrokomplex Exhibition Centre in Nitra.

Our contribution The Nitra Region is one of the oldest inhabited regions in Central Europe.

Slavic tribes settled here in the 5th century and subsequently built the oldest town in the territory of contemporary Slovakia in the area of Nitra. The Principality of Nitra led by Prince Pribina was established in the 8th century, and the Archbishop Adalrám of Salzburg subsequently consecrated a Christian church for Pribina (the first in central-eastern Europe) in 828. Other centres were established at Bojná, Starý Tekov, Nitrianska Blatnica and Bíňa. After the establishment of the Great Moravian Empire, Nitra became the centre of its eastern part. The bishopric established there in 880 by Pope John VIII is associated with the activities of Saints Cyril and Methodius. These cultural-historical aspects, like the close connection with

The expected benefits We consider the main advantage of joining the project to lie in the possibility of developing the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius in close cooperation with the other European regions associated with their activities, which will increase the awareness of the unity of the European nations and the common Christian, historical, cultural and spiritual roots of Europe. The realisation of this project will create a platform for the development of cooperation between the involved regions under the conditions of the 21st century.

The Church of the Saint Michael the Archangel in Nitra-Dražovce

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

Nitra Tourist Board

Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra Nitrianska organizácia cestovného ruchu Štefánikova trieda 1, 949 01 Nitra Tel.: + 421 376 502 390 E-mail: info@nocr.eu www.visitnitra.sk

The Nitra Tourist Board was established in March 2012. The found­ing members are the City of Nitra, the Roman Catholic Church - the Bishopric of Nitra, the ARRIVA transport company, the Agrokomplex – Výstavnictví Nitra exhibition company and the Mikado business hotel. The organisation’s main goal is to build interest in visiting Nitra and making use of the services it offers, the creation of new attractive experiential tourism products and the promotion and increased awareness of the destination. In 2014, the organisation was joined by the OCRON business association, which consists of the Thermalpark Nitrava thermal swimming pool, Castellum, n. o., which administers the

Diocesan Museum, the Kaštieľ Mojmírovce Hotel, the Dance Academy, the Bon Praline chocolate factory, Tomka (a manufacturer of traditional Nitra mead), and the ZoneMedia Digital advertising agency.

Our contribution As one of the most significant centres of Great Moravia, the City of Nitra boasts a rich history and the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius at the same time.

Visitors can see medieval documents associated with the activities of these significant missionaries in our territory in the Diocesan Museum. The casemates of Nitra Castle include part of the reconstructed fortifications dating to the period of Cyril and Methodius’ mission. The Cathedral of Saint Emmeram houses the reliquary of Saint Cyril. The three-day Nitra festivities, known as Dear Nitra (milá Nitra), which take place every year in July as part of the feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, are a unique event.

A national pilgrimage is held during the festivities and the extensive program

The opening of an exhibition in the Vatican Museums

also includes a market with traditional crafts and gastronomical specialities.

The expected benefits We expect the involvement of the Nitra Tourist Board in the project to provide an influx of domestic and international visitors to Nitra. The strength­ening of pilgrimage tourism, which has great potential in Nitra, would also be a further definite advantage. The increased visibility of Nitra itself and the elevation and presentation of its historical significance to international tourists will also be substantial.

The statues of Saints Constantine (Cyril) and Methodius

by Ludmila Cvengrošová

The celebrations of the 1150th anniversary of Saints Cyril and Methodius, photo: Henrich Mišovič

Archeologický ústav SAV v Nitre Akademická 2, 949 21 Nitra Tel.: +421 376 943 231 E-mail: nrausekr@savba.sk www.archeol.sav.sk, www.sav.sk

The Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra is a scientific institution active throughout Slovakia. It is tasked with performing archaeological research into the history of Slovakia in a European context from the beginning of the period of settlement up to the modern era. It was established in 1939 and became part of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in 1953. In addition to archaeologists, it also employs specialists involved in other scientific disciplines (numismatics, museology, anthropology, zoology, botany, geology and geophysics). The institute is the central depository for the collec­ tion of documents and it keeps the central records of all archaeological sites in Slovakia. It houses the most extensive collection of archaeological finds in Slo-

An evening view of the Calvary

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The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The gold plated Great Moravian plaque from Bojná

vakia. The institute includes a special­ ised library with nearly 84,000 volumes.

Our contribution One of the main research topics in­volves research into the Early Middle Ages and the beginnings of the nation’s history.

Several research and presentation projects are dedicated to this every year.

Today, the most significant include research into the Great Moravian and early Hungarian princely castle and adjacent settlement agglomeration in Nitra, research into Great Moravian castles in the municipalities of Bojná, Majcichov, Pobedim, Divinka and Mužla-Čenkov, the unique fortifications in Bíňa and the castle in Zemplín in the southeast of Slovakia. The research into the beginnings of Christianity in Slovakia and the Benedictine monasteries on Zobor Hill in Nitra and in Hronský Beňadik is of great significance. The institute endeavours to present the results of the research to the public. In recent years, the institute has participated in the preparation of sev­eral exhibitions dedicated to our earliest history and to the beginnings of Christian­ isation. The most significant exhibitions

The Archaeological Park at the Bojná-Valy Fort

include the exhibition in the Nitra Castle, the archaeological open air museum in Bojná, the archaeological park constructed on Martinský vrch in Nitra and the exhibition on the occasion of the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia in the Vatican Museums.

The expected benefits The ECRCM project can increase the intensity of cooperation during research into the period of the Early Middle Ages, the beginnings of states of that period and the spread of Christianity within a wider European framework. On the other hand, cooperation with partners from the area of tourism and education will be beneficial during the presentation and popularisation of the results of the research work to the wider public.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

Municipality of Močenok Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra Tel.: +421 376 408 111 E-mail: ukf@ukf.sk www.ukf.sk

Obec Močenok Sv. Gorazda 82, 951 31 Močenok Tel.: +421 376 552 830 E-mail: sekretariat@mocenok.sk www.mocenok.sk

The Gorazdov Court – a theatrical image from the lives of the brothers from Thessaloniki The statue of Constantine the Philosopher in front of the university

The Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (CPU) was established on the basis of the traditions of the Teaching Institute in 1959; it was approved by the National Council of the Republic of Slovakia on 23 October 1996 and its official inauguration took place on 13 February 1997. The CPU in Nitra is an educational, scientific and artistic public and local government institution. Its main mission is the provision of tertiary education, creative scientific research and artistic activities. When realising its mission, the CPU in Nitra also cooperates with other educational institutions and it supports and organises international cooperation and the exchange of information, employees and students with international organisations. It especially creates conditions for organised research into the life and work of Constantine (Cyril) the Philosopher and the traditions of Cyril and Methodius.

institute whose task is to look into the values and spiritual and cultural legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius. It processes the relevant historical and archaeological sources associated with the creation of a number of trails within the framework of a pilgrimage and tourism guide for the localities associated with the tradition of Cyril and Methodius. The Department of Geography and Regional Development conducts research in the area of the theoretical-modern aspects of religious tour­ ism as a specific phenomenon. It has designed a network of Cyril and Methodius trails in the territory of the Nitra Region with a connection to Hungary. It processes information on the natural characteristics of the trails, cultural and historical monuments and other tourist attractions.

Both institutions have contributed to the creation of promotional material.

Our contribution

The results of the scientific research into the life and work of Constantine the Philosopher and the Cyril and Methodius tradition need to be considered as an

The Institute for Research into the Cultural Heritage of Constantine and Methodius is a scientific research and documentation

integral part of the recognition of European cultural heritage and as elements for its protection and development. As such, the CPU in Nitra will participate in the activities supported by the Council of Europe, a centre for the dissemination of positive human values. The education of its students fosters respect for history, historical monuments and traditions. At the same time, it enables CPU employees to expand their research to include the area of tourism. By means of its activities with the other cooperating institutions, the university will expand the potential mobility of its students and employees, which will in turn contribute to the dissemination of the attractiveness of the Nitra Region in an international context.

The Municipality of Močenok has approximately 4,400 inhabitants and is located 18 km from Nitra. It originally stood on the property of the House of Gorazdov, from which the priest Gorazd apparently came. It was Gorazd whom Archbishop Methodius designated as his successor.

The Roman Catholic Parish Church of Saint Clement has stood in the municipality since 1765. His remains were brought to our territory by the brothers from Thessaloniki. The previous church apparently stood on the site of the local Calvary, where an archaeological excavation will continue. The Gorazdov Močenok (Gorazd’s Močenok) Festival has been held in Močenok since 1993. The accompanying events include a pilgrimage from

The expected benefits

Močenok to Nitra which follows the route along which, according to tradition, the brothers from Thessaloniki arrived.

Our contribution The Municipality of Močenok prepares a national festival of Christian theatre called Gorazdov Močenok every year. It includes a theatre performance competition, workshops, presentations of folk art, exhibitions and seminars. The culmination of the festival is usually Holy Mass celebrated at the Gorazdov settlement by Močenok native and a great supporter of the event, Monsignor František Rábek, a military physician. We wish to invite ensembles and visitors from abroad to attend this event. We also plan to mark and modify the trail in the footsteps of the brothers leading from Močenok to Nitra within the framework of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In the future, we would like to build an archaeological open air museum from the Great Moravian period.

The expected benefits We expect greater development of

The Gorazdov Court – Slavic cuisine

the cultural and social events we organise ev­ery year from our involvement in the ECRCM. They are aimed at spreading the veneration for Saint Gorazd and in doing so developing the Cyril and Methodius tradition and Christian culture. Thanks to our new partners, we expect assistance when promoting these events, especially abroad. The participation of theatre groups, participants at the creative workshops and visitors to the festival, including from other countries involved in the ECRCM, will be a significant help. The realisation of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius will be a major benefit. We expect more visitors to the municipality, not only during the Gorazdův Močenok festival, but also throughout the course of the year.

The Močenčanka folklore ensemble

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The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The members of the ECRCM

The Zobor Embellishing Association

Trenčín Self-Governing Region Zoborský skrášľovací spolok o. z.

Kamenná 65, 949 01 Nitra Tel.: +421 903 724 764 E-mail: zoborskyspolok@gmail.com www.zoborsky-skraslovaci-spolok.webnode.sk

Trenčiansky samosprávny kraj K Dol. stanici 7282/20A, 911 01 Trenčín Tel.: +421 326 555 653 E-mail: info@tsk.sk www.tsk.sk

The historical view of the Zobor monastery

The Zobor Embellishing Association (Zoborský skrášľovací spolok) was established in 1888. Its goal was to influence the new construction of the hillside municipality of Zobor in the period when the slopes of the Zobor Hill began to lose the character of a winegrowing area and started to be transformed into a residential suburb. The association was revived in 2013 as a citizens’ association of the inhabitants and friends of the suburb of Zobor who wish to preserve historical values, support a feeling for aesthetics in society and build pride in the suburb of Zobor, which is home to a number of significant historical, cultural, technical and spiritual monuments.

Our contribution The oldest known monastery in Slovakia, the Monastery of Saint Hippolyte, was established in the forests on the western slopes of Zobor Hill, just 3 km from Nitra. According to most historians, it was established in the 9th century, in the period of Great Moravia, during the time Saints Cyril and Methodius were in Svatopluk’s empire. The legend of the death of King Svatopluk in the monas-

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tery under Zobor was recorded by the Czech chronicler Cosmas. Svorad and Benedict were declared saints in Nitra in 1083, during the reign of King (also Saint) Ladislav. They were the first ever saints from the territory of contemporary Slovakia. The Monastery of Saint Hippolyte performed an important function as one of the centres of spiritual, public and cultural life in Great Moravia and later in Hungary. The last monks left the Benedictine monastery before the end of the 15th century. They ceased to maintain it and the monastery fell into disrepair.

However, the tradition of the “holy place” did not fade and the abandoned monastery became the destination for an annual pilgrimage. In 1663, the Bishop of Nitra, Juraj Selepčéni, built a chapel consecrated to Saints Svorad and Benedict in the courtyard of the former monastery. In 1691, Bishop Blažej Jaklin and his brother Mikuláš commenced the construction of a monastery for Camaldolese monks, and in doing so they restored monasticism. The monastery complex includes the preserved main monastery building, the ruins of the church and the dwellings of the monks.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Trenčín Castle

Cyril and Methodius Days 2015, a tour of the monastery complex

The expected benefits The Zobor Beautification Association has opened up the monastery complex to the public. An educational trail providing visitors with comprehensive information about the territory of the Zobor peaks has been built there. The archaeological dig site gives visitors an opportunity to try their hand at archaeology and to identify the origin of excavated ceramics.

Information signs describing the history, archaeological finds and the significance of the locality have been placed in the monastery complex. The monastery ruins are gradually being restored by the association. The involvement in the ­ECRCM will bring the promotion of the site to the wider domestic and international public.

The Trenčín Self-Governing Region (TSR) is one of the eight semiautonomous regions established in the territory of the Slovak Republic. It is located in the very rugged, predominantly mountainous northwest section of Slovakia.

It lies in the valley of two rivers – the central branch of the Váh and the upper branch of the Nitra. The territory of the Trenčín Region is an important industrial area in the country. The TSR borders with the Zlín Region (the Czech Republic) in the west, with the Žilina Region in the northwest, the Banská Bystrica Region in the east and the Trnava and Nitra Regions in the south.

Area: 4,502 km2 Population: 599,847 Population density: 133.2 people/km2 Number of districts: 9 Number of towns/municipalities: 18/276 Regional capital: Trenčín

čín Self-Governing Region. The ­route of the Cyril-Methodius trail, which will pass through the territory of the TSR, has been created in cooperation with experts in history and tourism. The main goal was to ensure that monuments directly associated with Cyril and Methodius and the beginnings of Christianity are located on the route.

The route will run through significant places of pilgrimage such as Skalka nad Váhom, Pobedim, Sedmerovec, the Slavic fortified settlements at Beckov, Hrádek and Vyšehrad, but also to more recent churches and chapels that have been consecrated to Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prievidza, Partizánské, Klátova Nová Ves and elsewhere.

The pilgrimage route leads through interesting tourist locations offering tourists and pilgrims many options for accommodation and dining or for relaxation in the spas of the Trenčín Region.

Our contribution

The expected benefits

There are many significant monuments and landmarks bearing the legacy of the missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius in the territory of the Tren-

The involvement of the TSR in the international project of the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius will provide the Trenčín Region with an

excellent opportunity to integrate itself into the significant European routes of cultural and pilgrimage tourism. The project presents a unique opportunity to make use of the cultural and historical potential the region has available, and it has the potential to increase the visibility of the Trenčín Self-Governing Region in Slovakia and abroad. The cooperation of the Slovak and Czech regions within the framework of this project will substantially contribute to the preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of our nations.

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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The members of the ECRCM

The City of Thessaloniki City of Thessaloniki 1 V. Georgiou Str, 546 40 Thessaloniki Tel.: +30 2313 31 7167 E-mail: d.likotrafiti@thessaloniki.gr www.thessaloniki.gr

The Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius, Velehrad The monumental Cistercian monastery was built in the Late Romanesque style with early Gothic influences in the first half of the 13th century. The basilica is one of the largest in the Czech Republic and the current Baroque appearance of the monastery and the basilica dates to the second half of the 18th century. The fifth of July is a public holiday in the Czech Republic – the Day of the Slavic Missionaries Cyril and Methodius. Velehrad is the venue for the traditional Days of People of Goodwill at that time. The full two-day program recalls the arrival of the brothers in Great Moravia and culminates in the National Velehrad Pilgrimage, which ends with the celebration of Mass. This is one of the largest and most significant church events in the Czech Republic and is attended by up to 40,000 people.

The European-wide legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Thessaloniki, the birthplace of Cyril and Methodius

The City of Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon and it is the second largest city of Greece. It is also a major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Greece’s cultural capital. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually, while 2013 was declared the “Year of Cyril and Methodius” and the city was awarded as “2014 European Youth Capital”. Thessaloniki is a popular tourist destination in Greece. For 2013, National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations worldwide, while in 2014 Financial Times FDI magazine (Foreign Direct Investments) declared Thessaloniki as the best mid-sized European city of the future for human capital and lifestyle.

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Our contribution

The expected benefits

Thessaloniki is the birthplace of Saints Cyril and Methodius and as such has decided to become an active member in the project for the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In addition, Thessaloniki declared 2013 as the Year of Cyril and Methodius and there were a number of events that took place in the city, dedicated to the memory of these two saints, such as exhibition of texts and pictures concerning their lives and mission, the installation of their statues, the organisation of several cultural events and an international scientific conference entitled “Cyril and Methodius: the Byzantine Empire and the World of the Slavs”. Therefore, Thessaloniki has suitable facilities enabling it to substantially contribute to the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to support the activities realised within its framework.

The advantages of the involvement of the City of Thessaloniki in the project can be seen in various areas, such as: • promotion of the city as the birthplace of Saints Cyril and Methodius • promotion of the city as a religious tourist destination • establishment of partnerships and collaboration in the field of research • exchange of cultural and educational best practices with regard to the strengthening of common history • participation in various transnational projects and structural programs of the European Union

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The Cyril and Methodius Route involves the strengthening of the awareness of European cultural identity and the encouragement of European dialogue based on the shared values arising from the work of the missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius. This involves values venerated by nations for centuries as attributes that foster progress, the exchange of knowledge and spiritual balance. As such, the veneration of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers is associated with a number of significant feast days, architectural structures, spiritual and intangible heritage and simple statues in Europe and abroad.

For example, the fifth of July is a public holiday in the Czech Republic (the Day of the Slavic Missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius), while this day is celebrated as the “Sviatok Svätého Cyrila a Metoda” in Slovakia. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has a public holiday celebrating Cyril and Methodius on May 24th, while March 24th is celebrated in Bulgaria as the national holiday of Bulgarian culture, literature and alphabet and Saints Cyril and Methodius as the patron saints of the National Library in Bulgaria.

Hundreds of churches and cathedrals all around Europe bear the names of the brothers from Thessaloniki or their followers. Saints Cyril and Methodius are the main patron saints of the

Archdiocese of Ljubljana and the Greek Catholic Eparchy in Košice, Slovakia. There are churches of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Thessaloniki in Greece and in Prague. The cathedral in Ljubljana stands on Cyril and Methodius Square, and there is a cathedral consecrated to Cyril and Methodius’ pupil, Saint Clement of Ohrid, in Skopje, Macedonia. Simple parishes of Saints Cyril and Methodius can be found in Vienna, in South Austrian Klagenfurt and in many other places in Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Basilica of Saint Clement in Rome holds the remains of Pope Clement, which Saints Cyril and Methodius found on the banks of the Black Sea and brought to Rome. The tomb of Saint Cyril, which is a pilgrimage site for many Slavs, is also located there. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is also of great importance to the Slavic people, as it is the place where Pope Hadrian II laid Slav liturgical books on the main altar and permitted their use in the liturgy in the presence of Cyril and Methodius in the year 867.

The veneration of Saints Cyril and Methodius is also borne out by hundreds of statues throughout Europe. They are located at the most attractive sites, such as, for example, Charles Bridge in Prague, the Column of the Holy Trinity in Olomouc (UNESCO), in front of the cathedral in Brno, in

front of the Bulgarian National Library in Sofia, in Thessaloniki in Greece and in Macedonian Ohrid, but also in hundreds of small municipalities along the Cyril and Methodius Route.

Universities in Skopje in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria and in Trnava in Slovakia bear the names of both saints. The Theological Faculty of Palacký University in Olomouc (the Czech Republic) is known as the Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty of Palacký University. The University of Constantine the Philosopher is located in Nitra.

References and links to the lives and journeys of both saints (historical and archaeological, cultural, artistic, myths, rituals, legends, beliefs or traditions) can be found throughout all of Central and Southeast Europe. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Italy, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and, for example, Germany, the USA and Canada. Evidence of the worldwide veneration of the work and significance of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers can also be found in the names of a number of mountains in the Antarctic (St. Cyril Peak, St. Methodius Peak, St. Naum Peak, etc.).

The European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius

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Published in 2016 by the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius Contacts: www.cyril-methodius.eu, tel. +420 577 043 904, info@cyril-methodius.eu, www.vychodni-morava.cz Concept and texts: The ECRCM association in cooperation with its members; Ivan Marek, m-ARK. Design and maps: Tomáš Burda, m-ARK. Photos: m-ARK, iStockphoto, J. Kudrnáč, F. Synek, the archives of the association and its members.

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