Applications for this year’s edition of the international event Night of Fortresses, set to take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, are now open via an online form available on the event’s official website. The call is open to all stakeholders in the cultural sector, local and regional government units, tourism boards, and other managers of fortified sites across Europe.
This year’s event introduces a new challenge—raising visitor awareness about sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices, encouraging active participation in environmental protection, and promoting cultural heritage as a key element of sustainable development. In light of this, the event has been rebranded as "Night of Fortresses Goes Green", emphasizing the connection between cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.
Organizers are encouraged to design diverse programs, such as open days, guided tours, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, dance performances, and other activities that contribute to the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Over the past three years, Night of Fortresses has brought together more than 50 sites across 8 countries and 40 cities, including coastal and inland fortresses, castles, museums, galleries, and fortified towns. Through this successful project, the event has demonstrated its potential to foster sustainable cultural tourism and strengthen international cooperation.
Building on past experience and expertise, the organizers recognize the vital role of cultural events in promoting sustainable practices. With "Night of Fortresses Goes Green," the goal is not only to showcase Europe’s rich cultural heritage but also to highlight the importance of environmental responsibility—because small but consistent changes shape a sustainable future. The choices we make today can have a lasting impact—every event, every initiative, and every new idea is a step toward preserving both heritage and nature for future generations, emphasize representatives from the Fortress of Culture Šibenik.
The Night of Fortresses Goes Green event is part of two EU-funded projects led by Fortress of Culture Šibenik:
- GIFTSnet – Network for Green and Inclusive Fortified Tourism Solutions, funded by the Interreg IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027 program. The project is led by the Fortress of Culture Šibenik, in partnership with the City of Banja Luka, the Municipality of Bar, the City of Karlovac, the Public Institution Homeland Museum of Herzegovina in Trebinje, and the Municipality of Ulcinj.
- FORTIC – From Remains of War to the Architecture of Peace in the Cross-Border Area of Italy-Croatia, funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021–2027 program. The project is led by the City of Pula, with partners including Fortress of Culture Šibenik, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and the municipalities of Cervia, Vieste, and Korčula. Associated partners include the School for Upbringing and Education in Pula, the Tourist Board of Korčula, and the Venetian association UNPLI Veneto.
The event also serves to expand and strengthen collaboration between cities and organizations managing fortified heritage sites. It is held with the support of international associations EFFORTS (European Federation of Fortified Sites) and FORTE CULTURA, which have included Night of Fortresses as part of the European Fortress Summer Event.
This material was produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the Public Institution Fortress of Culture Šibenik and in no way reflects the views of the European Union.
