CULT IDENTITY
The Ancient Cult Sites for Common Identity on the Baltic Sea Coast
- Thematic cluster:
- Cultural heritage
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 3. Attractive and dynamic societies
- Direction of support:
- Increasing cultural exchange
- Duration:
- Dec 2010 - Aug 2013 (2 years, 9 months)
- Total funding:
- 1 088 240 €
- ERDF funding:
- 903 444 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Developing and promoting the common culture and cultural identity
Reinforcing cohesiveness of the macro-region through tourism - Website:
- http://www.ancientsites.eu/
Development idea
The ancient cult sites, also referred to as sacred sites, represent an important element of the pre-Christian cultural heritage in the Central Baltic region. The potential of the ancient cult sites for enhancing the common identity in the region or for developing new tourist attractions has not been fully recognized.
Aim of the project
The Cult Identity project addresses the problem of sustainable management of the cult sites as a joint cultural heritage element in the Central Baltic region. The project aims at preservation of the sites and developing them into tourist attractions.
Main project activities
The project is mapping the ancient cult sites and creating a joint strategy for management and development of these sites to ensure their preservation. Activities also include the promotion of sites as common historical heritage to local and foreign visitors.
Partners
Riga Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Pieriga
- ERDF funding:
- 184 858 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 32 622 €
Zemgale Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Zemgale
- ERDF funding:
- 181 492 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 32 028 €
Vidzeme Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Vidzeme
- ERDF funding:
- 139 536 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 24 624 €
The County Museum of Gävleborg
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Gävleborg
- ERDF funding:
- 161 700 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 53 900 €
Kurzeme Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Kurzeme
- ERDF funding:
- 103 615 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 18 285 €
Hiite Maja Foundation
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lõuna – Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 132 243 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 23 337 €
Results
Virtual museum on natural sacred sites
Virtual museum is a data base comprising information on natural sacred sites in Latvia, Sweden and Estonia.
The maps, descriptions and gallery of photos of sacred sites are made available for public to discover new nature and cultural heritage, as well as to acquire knowledge about the traditions of the ancient tribes of the Baltic Sea area. The objects of interest are mapped and possible routes in each region are offered for the visitors. The regions covered are Riga, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Kurzeme in Latvia, the County of Gävle in Sweden and Muhu and Juuru Parishes in Estonia.
| www.ancientsites.eu |
Guidelines on sustainable management and development of ancient sacred sites
The guidelines and recommendations help in protecting and managing ancient sacred sites.
Documents are developed for land owners having sacred sites situated on their property, local municipalities, tourism developers, local communities, custodians and all others to help in protection and management of ancient sacred sites.
Management and development guidelines for ancient sacred sites (ENG)
Rekomendācijas seno svētvietu apsaimniekošanai: Rīgas plānošanas reģions (LAT)
Rekomendācijas seno svētvietu apsaimniekošanai: Vidzemes plānošanas reģions (LAT)
Pielikums Nr1 (LAT)
Pielikums Nr2 (LAT)
Rekomendācijas seno svētvietu apsaimniekošanai: Zemgales plānošanas reģions (LAT)
Rekomendācijas Kurzemes plānošanas reģiona seno dabas svētvietu apsaimniekošanai (LAT)
Videos on natural sacred sites in Latvia and Estonia
Nine informative and entertaining TV broadcasts about sacred sites in Latvia and film about natural sacred sites in Estonia (with subtitles in English).
TV project "The facts you don't know about Latvia" include stories about sacred trees and springs, caves as cult sites, the role of the devil in the mythology giving devil's name to sites, holy lakes and rivers, great stones, special kinds of sacred stones and hills as places for rituals. The last TV show was created in order to explain how people's understanding about the world around them has evolved to respect the unique heritage of the culture we have on the costs of the Baltic Sea.
Episode 1. Trees (LAT)
Episode 2. Springs (LAT)
Episode 3. Caves (LAT)
Episode 4. Devil (LAT)
Episode 5. Lakes and Rivers (LAT)
Episode 6. Stones Part 1 (LAT)
Episode 7. Stones Part 2 (LAT)
Episode 8. Hills (LAT)
Episode 9. Religion (LAT)
The project has introduced the subtitles to the film about natural sacred sites in Estonia.
Hiite lummus / Charm of sacred groves (EST with subtitles in ENG)
Tourism maps and brochures on sacred sites for the visitors of the Central Baltic region
The maps contain information, descriptions and photos about different objects worth to visit in the regions of Latvia, Estonia and Sweden. Also suggestions for tourism routes are presented in order to help the visitors in planning their tours.
Ancient natural sacred sites in Vidzeme Region, Latvia
Ancient natural sacred sites in Riga Region, Latvia
Ancient natural sacred sites in Kurzeme Region, Latvia
Ancient natural sacred sites in Zemgale Region, Latvia
Ancient natural sacred sites in Gävleborg Region, Sweden
Ancient natural sacred sites in Juuru parish, Estonia
