On 18 July, representatives of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) met the staff of the administration of Mondorf-les-Bains (Luxemburg) to present the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns Cultural Route. Mrs. Simone Zagrodnik, representative of EHTTA, Mr. Pierre Plumer, Director of Mondorf Domaine Thermal, Mr. Claude Shommer and Mrs. Nathalie Hippert, representatives of Mondorf-les-bains Municipality, attended the meeting.
The meeting was facilitated by Ambassador Christian Biever, Chairman of the Governing Board of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and Director of Consular Affairs and International Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Claude Halsdorf, member of the EICR Governing Board and Head of the joint office, General direction of Tourism, Ministry of Economy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Mr. Stefano Dominioni, Director of the EICR and Executive Secretary of the APE. The meeting was the occasion to present the European Historic Thermal Towns Association, its goals, activities and the benefits of becoming a member of this network that brings together about 40 spa destinations in 14 countries and promotes the understanding and protection of built and cultural heritage around the healing springs of Europe.
The European Route of Historic Thermal Towns, certified by the Council of Europe in 2010, is a network of sustainable tourist destinations devoted to health and well-being. Thermalism - the therapeutic use of hot springs - has been prevalent in Europe from ancient times to the present day. Many of the towns along this route were known during Roman times, and several have impressive ruins of baths and associated spa buildings.
Member State of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes since 2011, Luxembourg is crossed by 5 of the 38 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: The Saint Martin of Tours Route, Fortified towns of the Greater Region, Via Charlemagne, Liberation Route Europe and European Route of Industrial Heritage.
