Today we report on the progress of a groundbreaking transnational Interreg project. The ICTr-CE project is dedicated to the further development of the Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13, the longest long-distance cycle route in Europe.

There are projects whose symbolic significance often extends far beyond the actual project goal. The Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13 is certainly one of these projects. With a route length of almost exactly 10,000 km – it begins at the border between Finland and Russia north of the Arctic Circle and ends at the border between Turkey and Bulgaria on the Black Sea – it is the longest long-distance cycle route in Europe and passes through a total of 20 countries. So it’s no wonder that even such an ambitious transnational Interreg project (Central Europe Programme) as the ‘ICTr-CE’ project, with 12 partners (one of which is Trail Angels) from 9 countries, has to focus on three pilot regions. In these regions, innovative products for sustainable and climate-friendly cycling trips are being developed, tested and incorporated into resilient management models.
This is a fascinating task that, in the best European spirit, brings together partners from different countries (led by the Westpannon Agency from Hungary). With great commitment, they are pursuing the goal of revitalising regions that were separated by the Iron Curtain until 35 years ago through sustainable cycle tourism. In addition, the project partners are striving to develop a scalable model for the management of other European long-distance cycle routes, which are grouped together in the magnificent EuroVelo network.

Our S-COM venue, the European Solidarity Centre, is a symbolic site for freedom, democracy and overcoming the division of Europe. ©Trail Angels

A task that sounds extremely ambitious in itself. But what makes the Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13 so unique and the work on its further development so important? It is its tremendous symbolic power! Today, its route connects landscapes that were separated for decades by barbed wire, minefields and watchtowers in the best sense of the word. In the best sense, because sustainable tourism not only makes these landscapes consciously tangible, but also brings travellers together with the local people on both sides of the former Iron Curtain.
In a Europe where war is once again being waged and the spirit of democracy, freedom and community is becoming increasingly fragile, the Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13, with its many memorials from this dark period, takes on an almost prophetic significance: let us become more aware of the importance of freedom and peace and not repeat the same mistakes!

Even though the Baltic Sea weather was quite typical, the project group was not deterred from cycling on the Iron Curtain Trail – EuroVelo 13. Here in front of the monument commemorating the shipyard workers’ uprising in 1970. © Trail Angels

Gdansk and the Iron Curtain Trail

Project management meetings – known as S-Coms – are the heart of transnational Interreg projects, as they bring all partners together around one table. The last S-Com for the ICTr-CE project took place in May in Gdansk, Poland. Organised in exemplary fashion by our hosts, the city of Gdansk, it will long remain in our memories thanks to its impressive programme. However, what made this meeting so meaningful was simply the symbolism of our venue: the city of Gdansk and the European Solidarity Centre. It was in the city of Gdansk that the catastrophe of the Second World War began with Nazi Germany’s attack on the Polish naval base at Westerplatte. It was also in Gdansk that the indomitable shipyard workers repeatedly rebelled against the oppression of the communist dictatorship. And finally, with the strike in 1980, they laid the foundation for a peaceful revolution and the transition to democracy. Thus, Gdansk is one of the most important contemporary cities in Europe, whose significance is also appropriately honoured with two extremely impressive museums (the Museum of the Second World War and the European Solidarity Centre).
Our project group was happy to be inspired by the spirit of freedom, peace and European unity in the premises of the European Solidarity Centre, next door to the Solidarity leader, former Polish president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa, in order to work even more intensively and consistently on the project goals of the Iron Curtain Trail. What a difference the power of a special place can make!

Like something out of a fairy tale: Marienstraße in the historic quarter of Gdansk. © Trail Angels

Finally, a clear travel recommendation!

The old Hanseatic city of Gdansk (Danzig) is one of the most special gems among European cities. It combines historic brick architecture, which has earned Gdansk the nickname ‘the red city’, with modern architecture that has been carefully adapted to the history. And so a visit to the city is definitely worthwhile. Without, but preferably also with your bike on the Iron Curtain Trail EuroVelo 13!

The ICTr-CE project is co-financed by Interreg through the Central Europe Programme.

Interesting links:
ICTr-CE project website
Iron Curtain Trail – Eurovelo 13 on the EuroVelo portal

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