Revitalisation of the fortifications in Korčula, Croatia

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Cultural heritage represents a great potential for entrepreneurship development, and plays an important role in local socioeconomic development. This project enables adequate management of the cultural heritage, enhancement of the tourism attractiveness and subsequent improvement of the competitiveness of the local economy. This is to be done through integration of various stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sector. In addition to the importance for economic development, cultural heritage-based entrepreneurship contributes to fostering identity.Damir Tomasović from the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, CroatiaThe restoration and equipping of two individually protected cultural assets – Fort Forteca and the Great and Small Duke’s Towers – is central to the programme of works. Other towers and walls are being reconstructed including the Tower of All Saints, the Duke’s Gate, the Arsenal, and the Revelin Tower.In addition, the Duke’s Court area is being transformed into a cultural interpretation centre which will provide visitors with an insight into Korčula’s history.The rejuvenation includes the development of museum programmes for all the listed towers. All the fortresses connect to the southern city wall and, as part of the development, a walkway is being built to help people explore the area.Digital experienceLocal infrastructure – including lights and pavements – is being improved and a summer stage built which provides a space to host a range of cultural events and entertainment activities. Special emphasis has been placed on developing and exploiting digital technologies such as visualisation of the original forts on smartphones, accent lighting and augmented reality to tell the story of Korčula. Knowledge about how to use these new technologies is to be transferred to interested local entrepreneurs.The project aims to integrate the revitalisation efforts with activities undertaken by the private and civil society sectors to improve the management of these important cultural heritage sites. Bringing everything together is seen as way of putting Korčula more firmly on the tourist map and increasing visitor numbers. For example, private partners are likely to focus on developing catering facilities such as restaurants and bars within the Arsenal building, while civil society organisations and other interested parties could plan events that reflect the history and culture of the island.Coherent strategyWork undertaken through the project feeds into “An Old Town Management Plan”, which provides a long-term sustainable strategy for the development of Korčula’s historic walled area. In addition, a new website dedicated to the city has been created under the project.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Revitalisation of the fortifications of the Town of Korčula” is EUR 710 372 (HRK 5 256 187), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 568 298 (HRK 4 204 950) through the “Competitiveness and Cohesion” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Environment and resource efficiency”.