2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Tsarevo Municipality and Kirklareli Special Administration in the field of sustainable tourism development in Tsarevo and Kirklareli from the point of view of cultural and natural tourism through sports and diversification of tourist activities. new surviving park with bicycle lanes in Muselim (Kirklareli) and construction of a new bicycle lane between Tsarevo and Arapya.
The project activities include construction works in Kirklareli and Tsarevo - for the construction of a new surviving park and two bicycle lanes. The project will organize an open-air event in Kirklareli and a final meeting in Tsarevo.
As a result of the project implementation, it is expected to improve the socio-economic situation of the two municipalities - increase revenues from tourism and investment and create employment opportunities - by extending the tourist season, increasing the number of tourists visiting the region and increasing the time of their stay.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the cross-border cooperation capacity in the field of sustainable tourism in order to enhance the European territorial cohesion of cross-border area. The project will increase the tourist attractiveness of Harmanli and Edirne cross-border towns through better preservation, utilization and promotion of cultural heritage along the Diagonal Road.
The project envisages restoration of the most significant immovable monument of culture in Harmanli – the Arch Bridge on the Harmanliyska river (former Ulu Dere), through strengthening the preserved authentic structure, stopping the destructive processes, replacement of some of the broken stones, placing information boards, overhaul of 109 m of the pavement, cleaning the bridge from vegetation, biological patina and other dirt, reinforcement of the original stone structure with biocide treatment of stone, removal of the old restoration and reconstructions, cement whales and joints, restoration of the wall with the marble stela with inscription, etc.
The project will encourage cross-border cooperation and problem solution in the field of sustainable tourism between Edirne and Harmanli towns. 3D Projection Equipment (3DPM) will be purchased for the needs of the Association for Promoting Edirne and Tourism of Edirne (ETTDER).
As a result of the implementation of the project, one of the Ottoman heritages will be revived and preserved and a 109-foot pedestrian walkway leading to Harmanli City Park will be renovated. New ICT technologies for virtual visual reconstructions for 4 cultural and historical tourist sites in Edirne will be applied.
The project will encourage the cross-border cooperation and problem solution in the field of sustainable tourism between Edirne and Harmanli towns.

Project status: Finished

The project has ended on 12.08.2021 г.

This project ensured increasing the tourist attractiveness of the CB area, while better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure. The restoration of the Ottoman heritage Arch Bridge in Harmanli, which is an unbiased symbol of cooperation and understanding of universal human values within the scope of the project, provided the economic, social and regional development of the cross-border area. At the same time, it has contributed to employment and economic growth in the CB region by protecting and ensuring the sustainability of cultural tourism resources. It is the most significant tourist attraction from the Ottoman period in Harmanli and is an architectural masterpiece from the XVI century. PP2 ensured virtual visual reconstruction and restoration of the image of 3 (three) cultural and historical tourist sites and one building in the center of Edirne. The developed content has made the 4 sites chosen immortal through the used modern technologies and attractiveness of the used methods. The developed content for each site includes visual history related to the respective site, to the region and to the huge amount of history and heritage that these places and Edirne in general represents. Through the implementation of these activities PPs contributed to the programme output for reconstructed / restored cultural and historical touristic sites number with quantity 2. The restoration and conservation of the Arch Bridge in Harmanli ensured contribution with 0.105 km to programme output indicator for newly built, reconstructed or upgraded cycling routes / walking paths. There was an exchange of experience in studying, preservation and promotion of Ottoman period immovable cultural heritage sites 65 people were involved in an event which provided very important knowledge and practical information for the quality and quantity of heritage in the region. The implementation of Conservation and restoration of the Arch Bridge in Harmanli, executed under required supervisions, ensured direct connection between the main touristic places in Harmanli with the walking path connecting the cultural and historical buildings (museum) and natural touristic places (City Park). With this, local governments in the tourism sector, tourism-related agencies and NGOs, tour operators and SMEs have been enabled to offer higher quality tourism products. The activity for 3D Projection Mapping (3DPM) in Edirne realized through the supply of equipment for the needs of Association for Promoting and Tourism of Edirne (ETTDER) and Development of 3D projection mapping (3DPM) content for the needs of Association for Promoting and Tourism of Edirne (ETTDER), provided virtual visual reconstruction of 3 historical sites in Edirne and 1 building in its very center. Also, the used method ensured visual reconstruction and the attractiveness of these sites was increased with this implementation, which shows the diversity of cultures and traditions in the CB region. Project was implemented in full cooperation between the partners and in confirmation of their established partnership and in synchronous with their future joint plans.

The main objective of the project is to boost sustainable tourism development in Trakia area and build on the comparative advantages and the touristic attractiveness of Uzunkopru and Dimitrovgrad municipalities through better utilization of cultural, natural and historic heritage of the region, in line with the overall concept for sustainable tourism development and to ensure wide access to public sector tourist information with a focus on the contribution to local economies and stimulation of infrastructure investments.
Within the project, construction activities for development accessible area for disabled people, 800 m walking path and cycling road and two photo points with a view of the historical stone bridge in Uzunkopru - listed in the Tentative List World heritages of UNESCO are included. Small scale constructions in Uzunkopru will develop a Green Tourism Open-Air Area with development accessible area for disabled people, walking path and cycling road and two photo points with a view of the historical stone bridge in Uzunkopru - listed in the Tentative List World heritages of UNESCO.
As a result of the implementation of the project, conditions for more developed, attractive and sustainable tourism, as well as creating attractive spaces for tourists and visitors will be provided.

Project status: Completed

The project is based on the need to raise awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of the region, which is important for European history and culture.

The implementation of the project is of value to ATRIUM - the 27th cultural journey to the Council of Europe and the historical and cultural development of Europe through a unique and innovative approach on both sides of the border.

New green areas and recreation areas for the local population and tourists have been created in both municipalities.

There are walking and cycling areas in Uzunköprü, as well as playgrounds in the newly built zones in Uzunköprü and Dimitrovgrad.

To present the tourist potential in the region Dimitrovgrad - Uzunkopryu, a mobile application "Tour around Dimitrovgrad and Uzunkopryu" and a web page was developed, including cultural and historical sites and interesting places to visit in two cities.