Cross-Border Cultural Heritage
Kyustendil - Dupnitsa - Kriva Palanka - Kratovo
The Cultural Area platform brings together the cultural heritage, routes, and stories of four municipalities in one accessible and engaging place.
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4
Municipalities
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2
Countries
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History
Heritage
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About the Project Cultural Connectivity Without Borders
CULTURAL AREA is an integrated regional project funded under the Interreg Programme, Bulgaria – North Macedonia 2021–2027. The project aims at regional development through tourism and a community built around cultural heritage, sharing good practices and applying new joint solutions.
The zone of cultural connectivity is outlined by four municipalities – Kyustendil and Dupnitsa in Bulgaria, and Kriva Palanka and Kratovo in the Republic of North Macedonia. Through the project activities we strive to revive cultural spaces and develop tourism.
The thematic focus – European and traditional influences in 19th-century everyday life – is explored in architecture, fashion and household objects through the theme "A la Franga".
The project also relies on the partnership of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and "St. Kliment Ohridski" – Republic of North Macedonia.
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Total Budget EUR 984,870.01
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European Funding 85% — Interreg / EU
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National Co-Financing 15% — BG & RNM
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Lead Partner Regional Historical Museum – Kyustendil
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Project Manager Ani Istatkova
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Implementation Period 24 months · from 23 April 2025
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Project ID BGMK0200027
Project Structure Four Work Packages — One Goal
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Work Package 1
Situational analysis of the resource potential
- Interdisciplinary study of European influences on Balkan traditions. Research into the "À la Franga" theme in the region's architecture, fashion, household objects, and way of life.
- Study of good European practices in the marketing of tourist destinations based on cultural heritage. Analysis and adaptation of successful models for the region.
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Work Package 2
Revitalization of cultural heritage sites
Emfiedzhieva House (Kyustendil) — Revitalization and restoration of the architectural ensemble. The site will become a tourist and educational center for the region.
Kriva Palanka City Museum — Construction of additional museum spaces for cultural and educational activities in a modern museum environment.
Open-Air Museum — the village of Gradets — Creation of a new open-air tourist destination linked to the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
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Work Package 3
Virtualization of the Cultural Area
- Joint digital platform — A shared cultural calendar, interactive map, GPS routes and a digital passport for all sites in the four municipalities.
- Catalog "The Old Houses Tell Stories" — An online register of the Revival-era houses with their history, architectural plan and current condition.
- Mobile app — An integrated tourist product with offline access, an audio guide in 4 languages and a QR system for collecting points.
- Multimedia products — Video content, 3D models and 360° virtual tours of key heritage sites.
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Work Package 4
Presentation and promotion of the product
- "19th-Century Balkan Heritage" Festival — A three-day cross-border festival bringing together music, traditions, crafts and gastronomy from both countries.
- "Laboratory" for audience monitoring — An interactive/intelligent visitor-tracking system in the partner institutions. A pilot innovative action for the region.
- Gamified workshops — 3 sessions: "The Light of the Balkans", "The Alafranga Window" and "A Magnet Souvenir", accompanied by educational materials, methodological guidelines and photographic documentation.
- Eco-training for children — A 3-day camp with participants from Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, focused on the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
Digital Heritage Discover the Cultural Area in the digital world
Interactive digital content – 3D models, 360° virtual tours, audio guides and the stories of the keepers of tradition.
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Digital Passport
Key sites in each of the four municipalities – texts, photos and recordings. Collect points during your visit by scanning a QR code.
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Audio Guide
Downloadable audio tours in 4 languages (BG, MK, EN) for self-guided walks with rich historical content.
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3D Models
Interactive 3D models of the region's landmark buildings – explore the architectural heritage in detail.
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360° Virtual Tours
Panoramas of hard-to-reach or fragile sites – the interiors of Revival-era houses, historic churches and fortresses.
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"The Old Houses Tell Stories"
An online catalog of the Revival-era houses with the history, architectural plan and current condition of each site.
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"Living Memory"
Video interviews with the "keepers" – artisans, curators and grandmothers preserving the folklore and traditions of the region.
Routes Plan Your Journey
Interactive routes with GPS points and automatically linked recommendations for accommodation, dining and experiences.
Plan It Yourself
Add sites to the "Traveler's Cart" and get a ready-made PDF itinerary.Interactive Map
A map with GPS points and the actual distances between the sites along the route.
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Historical Route - 2 Days, 2 Municipalities
The Road of the Medieval Towers
Kyustendil → Kratovo — fortresses and fortified towers of the cross-border region in one unforgettable tour.
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Certified Accommodation
Places to stay along the route with direct booking links
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Local Restaurants
Traditional cuisine recommended by the community
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Experiences
Craft workshops and tastings
Gastronomy Taste Zone
Traditional flavors, local producers and organized gourmet tours across the four municipalities.
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Recipes from the Dowry Chest
Video tutorials for zelnik from Kyustendil, pastramajlija from Kratovo and Kriva Palanka, and other traditional specialties.
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Local Producers
An interactive map of farms, dairies and wineries with direct sales from the producer.
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Route of Flavors
Organized gourmet tours with tastings and authentic encounters with the local communities.
News
New Cross-Border Festival of 19th-Century Balkan Heritage Launches in Kratovo, North Macedonia
From 23 to 25 October 2026 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), the Association “PEONIYA” from Kratovo is organising...
CULTURAL AREA brings together museum professionals from Bulgaria and North Macedonia in Kyustendil
On 13 and 14 October 2026, Kyustendil hosted the Third National Meeting of Museum Educators with international...
The Renovated Emfiedzhieva House Opens Its Doors for the Exhibition “Dedication”
On 13 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m., the exhibition “Dedication” opened in the new events space of the Emfiedzhieva...
