Gemer frescoes have been awarded the European Cultural Heritage label
The almost year-long wait for the decision of the European Cultural Heritage jury was a success. The European Commission has included sets of medieval murals in twelve churches in Gemeri and Malohont in a list of unique monuments of pan-European significance. Based on a rigorous assessment, this label is awarded to sites or buildings that represent European history and reflect common European values and their impact on the development of culture and society.
The fresco decoration in the medieval churches, in some cases up to 7 centuries old, has succeeded among other unique projects throughout Europe.
Evangelical churches and in Rimavský Brezov, Rimavská Bani, Kraskov, Kyjatice, Kameňany, Štítnik, Ochtina and Koceľovce, Catholic churches in Chyžné, Rákoš and Šivetice, or the church of the Reformed Christian Church in Plešivec, many present-day heritage awaits and an interesting history on the Gothic Way associated with these monuments.
In addition to established cultural programs such as the Open Gothic Way, a scientific conference on the research of medieval monuments, and the medieval festival in Kraskov, visitors can look forward to exhibitions, concerts, various thematic shows and festivals in the coming years. However, the project also means improving the availability of monuments, better presentation using modern technologies on site or in a virtual space with a focus on different groups of visitors from children to researchers. Thanks to workshops, residencies and exchanges with other holders of the European Heritage brand, a number of domestic or foreign artists and students will visit Gemer and Malohont by the end of 2026.
In 2020, the Banská Bystrica and Košice self-governing regions, the regional tourism organization / OOCR / Gemer, the Gothic Way Association and the Church Choir of the Evangelical Church agreed on cooperation in the nomination, and in Slovakia Rimavské Brezovo as the official submitter of the nomination. The project was assessed at the national level by the Monuments Office of the Slovak Republic and in March 2021 officially sent to the European Commission. A panel of independent experts consisting of 13 members appointed by the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions assessed nominations from across Europe.
So far, despite the difficult conditions of the pandemic, we have managed to move closer to the implementation of specific plans, such as the introduction of multilingual audio guides in churches, translation of the contact portal gotickacesta.sk into English and Hungarian, launch of the brand website on the destination website of Banská Bystrica region. the following year.
" We are extremely pleased that the valuable frescoes hiding the centuries-old story of cooperation between different cultures and ethnicities in our territory have gained recognition at the European level. Gemer and Malohont have always been the center of economic, spiritual and cultural life. We believe that closer cooperation at all levels will bring us fruit thanks to this brand in the form of improved economic and cultural opportunities for local residents and better services for visitors , "concluded the chairman of the Banská Bystrica self-governing region Ján Lunter.
" It's great to see that our lesser-known but even more valuable medieval monuments have received such an honor. Developing the full potential of Gemer and Malohont in the field of tourism and culture is a real goal thanks to such steps. Cooperation across regions, development organizations, monument owners and the non-governmental sector, which was declared a year and a half ago when the memorandum was signed, has its own strategy and thanks to the internationally recognized European Heritage brand we will be able to fulfill and make it visible in the coming years , "said Rastislav Trnka. , chairman of the Košice self - governing region.
Miroslav Boldiš, chairman of the Gothic Way association, added: “ Unique murals inspired by an Italian school are proof of economic and cultural exchange across Central and Western Europe in the Middle Ages. We owe the natural wealth and mining, for which the inhabitants of Germany moved to the region, for example, for the values that frescoed churches today represent for spiritual life and cultural heritage.
The European Heritage Label has been operating in its current form since 2013. The Slovak monument was awarded for the first time this year. Medieval murals in Gemer and Malohont thus added to the ancient heart of Athens, the Carnuntum Archaeological Park in Austria, the synagogues in Budapest and the Javorca Church in Slovenia. The brand connects and presents the common history of the continent on the basis of specific cities, objects, but also the intangible cultural heritage with a key role in the history of Europe.
