European Heritage Days, supported by the Council of Europe and the European Commission, are an opportunity for citizens and businesses to rediscover European cultural heritage, considered not only as historical evidence and collective memory, but also as an economic resource and an opportunity for development.

The theme chosen for 2025 is “Architectural Heritage: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future”, which sees architecture as a window to the past and a door to the future, an expression of identity, sustainability and innovation. In 2024, the theme was “Routes, Networks and Connections”, aimed at highlighting the links between people and territories, both historical and contemporary. This is the context for the** European DETOUR project**, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises located along four pilot routes – the Via Francigena in Italy, the paths of Mount Olympus in Greece, the Sultan's Way in Bulgaria and the Lycian Way in Türkiye – helping them to strengthen their competitiveness, sustainability and innovation.
If, for example, we look at the four countries involved in the DETOUR project (Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Türkiye), there are many events organised during this period as part of the European Heritage Days, which provide an incentive to devise attractive experiences and services for tourists.
Greece is participating enthusiastically by opening all archaeological sites, museums and state monuments free of charge. Alongside the promotion of historical roots, great attention is being paid to digital transition and new technologies. The main applications concern the personalisation of the tourist experience, the automation of customer service and dynamic price management. The use of AI can in fact promote the development of “smart” tourist destinations, capable of optimising flows, simplifying management activities for businesses and offering services that are closer to the needs of modern visitors.
Bulgaria is celebrating the Days by combining the promotion of historic buildings with the narration of local stories. A significant example is the Sofia Academy of Sciences, which recounted its 130 years of history through the voices of the building's first inhabitants, thus transforming an institutional building into a living story of community. This approach aims to make heritage more accessible and strengthen the sense of belonging, enhancing not only the architectural asset but also the people who were part of it.
In Italy, for example, in Rome, along the Via Francigena, the Archaeological Park of the Ancient Via Appia organises night-time visits in an enchanting and special setting. In fact, special walking experiences (e.g. at night, with tastings, for various forms of disability, etc.) are increasingly sought after.
In short, the European Heritage Days 2025 promise to be a particularly significant edition: not only an invitation to visit museums and monuments, but an opportunity to understand how spaces and itineraries can become drivers of development when viewed through the eyes of the future.