MONZA - A new step has been taken on the way to obtaining the formal recognition by the Council of Europe of the cultural Route “Longobard Ways across Europe”. After the presentation of the materials of the substantial Dossier in Monza - the leading town - on 28th September last, the Candidature Dossier was deposited on 29th at the headquarters of the Institut Européen des Itinéraires Culturels in Luxembourg.

The programme for the creation of the Route - conceived and organized by the Associazione Longobardia - began in 2004, was developed in 2005 (after an agreement with the Municipalities of Cividale del Friuli and Brescia), WAS merged with the Plan for the UNESCO candidature of the serial site "The Longobards in Italy. The Places of Power (568-774 AD)" and gradually materialised after 2011, year of approval of the serial site by UNESCO.

Now the final phase: with European approval, the route can officially be proposed as the primary historic and cultural axis within which to develop innovative and varied cultural tourism products.

 In the photo:

Presentation of the Candidature Dossier in the Council Room of the Town Hall. From the left: Carlo Abbà, Councillor for Productive Activities and Tourism; the Mayor Roberto Scanagatti; Gian Battista Muzzi and Bruno Cesca (respectively Chairman and General Secretary of the Associazione Longobardia); Franco Gaiani, Chairman of the Gaiani Foundation. (Photo Redaelli)