European Heritage Label

The general objectives of the European Heritage Label are to strengthen European citizens’ sense of belonging to the European Union, based on shared elements of history and heritage, as well as an appreciation of diversity, and to strengthen intercultural dialogue. To this end the Label will seek to enhance the value and profile of sites which have played a key role in the history and the building of Europe and the European Union, and seek to increase European citizens’ understanding of the building of Europe, and of their common yet diverse cultural heritage, especially related to the democratic values and human rights that underpin European integration. Specifically the European Heritage Label will designate sites which have played a significant role in the history of Europe and the building of the EU. The sites will be chosen on the basis of their European symbolic value, rather than beauty or architectural quality
One of the examples is the organization for the Cistercian churches and monasteries from the twelfth century. The Cistercian expanded from Burgundy all over Europe. The Cistercian order responded to the glitter and glamour of other orders, in particular Cluny and the new wave of early Gothic in France from the 1140’s. Cistercian Churches were not as lavishly decorated as Benedictine buildings, the architecture was sober. Cistercian buildings in Denmark can be found in Holme, Løgum and Tvis. They are cooperating with similar churches in Germany (Doberan) and Poland (Pelplin) within the European Heritage Label initiative in order to be recognized as trans-European cultural accomplishments. (further information: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm)