The Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) awarded "Council of Europe Cultural Route" certification to the "Leonardo da Vinci Route" and the "European Route of Historical Pharmacies" at its 2024 meeting (21-22 May, Luxembourg), bringing the number of certified Cultural Routes to 48.

Leonardo da Vinci Route

Leonardo da Vinci, an emblematic figure of the Italian Renaissance, left a permanent mark on art, science and engineering in Europe and throughout the world. His works and notebooks bear witness to an inventiveness and scientific vision that were ahead of their time. A true polymath, Leonardo da Vinci embodied the humanist ideal of the Renaissance, where art and science come together to expand the limits of human knowledge and creativity. Today, his legacy remains a universal source of inspiration, celebrated for his vision, his desire for knowledge and his dedication to innovation. The network currently has members in 4 countries: Italy, France, Türkiye and Slovenia.

European Route of Historic Pharmacies 

The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens traces the development of botanical and pharmaceutical medicine in Europe through sites that have played a crucial role in the history of medical knowledge. Combining cultural and natural heritage, this route invites visitors to explore exceptional botanical landscapes while delving into the history of medicine. This journey through the monasteries, convents, hospitals, towns and communities that house these historic pharmacies and medicinal gardens is a reminder that the history of materia medica is inseparable from that of humanity. It takes visitors on the footsteps of this cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, which dates back to the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and the Near East, and which continues to this day throughout Europe in our contemporary practices. The network currently has members in 7 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Switzerland.

For more information on the results of the 2023-2024 certification cycle, please see here.