A network of destinations, many stories: Cross-Border Cultural Identity in the Adriatic Italian and Croatian territories
23/01/2026
The Interreg Italy-Croatia ADRIJOROUTES project is transforming the historic ports of Italy and Croatia into a connected network of cultural destinations, creating a resilient and vibrant Adriatic tourism ecosystem. This cross-border initiative is about more than planning itineraries—it is about building bridges between people, heritage, and experiences, shaping a shared Adriatic identity grounded in cooperation and sustainability.
A Network of Destinations, Enhanced by Many Experiences
At the heart of ADRIJOROUTES is a network of seven integrated cross-border routes, each combining physical and digital experiences to offer visitors meaningful cultural journeys. These routes are not just travel itineraries—they are stories brought to life through collaboration with local communities and digital storytelling:
The Route of Taste – exploring local food and wine traditions.
- The Hidden Gems Route – discovering lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path locations.
- The Different Historic Route – exploring alternative itineraries to uncover local history.
- The Naturalistic Route – immersing in the environmental heritage of the region.
- The Travellers and Trade Route – tracing the trade routes that have shaped the Adriatic over centuries.
- The Route of Architecture – a journey through the monumental heritage of the territories.
- The UNESCO Route – showcasing places of global cultural significance.
The Cross-Border Living Museum
To bring these experiences to life, ADRIJOROUTES co-developed the Cross-Border Living Museum in collaboration with local communities, available via Adrijo.eu . This “phygital” approach—blending on-site visits with digital storytelling—enhances accessibility and engages a wider audience. By combining physical and digital elements, the Living Museum transforms heritage sites into platforms for dialogue, community engagement, and informal learning, helping visitors connect with Adriatic culture in immersive ways.
Connecting People, Heritage, and Identity
ADRIJOROUTES goes beyond tourism: it is about fostering a shared cultural identity. By weaving together the stories, traditions, and communities of Italian and Croatian port cities, the project nurtures a sense of belonging that transcends national borders. Digital technologies support this vision by bridging cultures, generations, and communities, allowing multiple perspectives to be represented and encouraging co-creation, interpretation, and interaction.
A Cross-Border Strategy for a Shared Future
The project enhances cooperation between Italian and Croatian ports, focusing on sustainable passenger flows and resilient tourism ecosystems. By managing tourism collaboratively, ADRIJOROUTES ensures that ports and their surrounding territories reflect both their unique heritage and the aspirations of local communities. Digital heritage platforms further enrich this strategy by highlighting the complexity and plurality of Adriatic identities.
Through this approach, local actors are empowered to design innovative, inclusive, and sustainable cultural offers. The result is a co-creative, socially integrated tourism ecosystem where visitors experience places in meaningful and authentic ways.
About ADRIJOROUTES
ADRIJOROUTES builds on the ADRIJO platform, developed under the REMEMBER project, to preserve and promote the cultural and maritime heritage of eight Italian and Croatian ports: Ancona, Ravenna, Venice, Trieste, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik. Its name fuses the Italian “Adriatico” and the Croatian “Jadransko,” symbolising the shared identity of the Adriatic region.
Culture as a Bridge
In an era when division can seem easier than dialogue, ADRIJOROUTES demonstrates the transformative power of culture. By connecting cities, stories, and communities across borders, the project highlights how collaboration can foster a more inclusive and resilient Adriatic identity. In line with UNESCO’s values on cultural diversity, it shows that culture is not just something to visit—it is something to build together. Ultimately, ADRIJOROUTES reminds us that it is not only about where we travel, but how our stories connect us along the way.
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