Night of Fortresses Goes Green 2026
16/03/2026
Registration is now open for the fifth edition of Night of Fortresses Goes Green, which will take place on 8 and 9 May 2026. This European initiative brings together fortresses, castles, museums, and other historical sites around the shared idea of sustainability and social responsibility.
Heritage managers, cultural institutions, and fortified sites across Europe are invited to apply through the online form available at: https://nightoffortresses.org/en/registration/
Organizers may take part on one or both event days, depending on their plans and capacities. Participation offers international visibility, exchange of experience, and stronger cooperation among European heritage institutions.
Following a successful 2025 edition, with 195 events held in ten countries, the event continues to grow and expand its network of heritage sites committed to sustainable development. Night of Fortresses Goes Green highlights the active role cultural heritage can play in today’s society by encouraging dialogue about the environment, tourism, and responsible resource management.
All registered programs must include a sustainability component. Through cultural, educational, and participatory activities, organizers should connect heritage with practical environmental actions. The aim is to promote sustainable tourism, encourage responsible behaviour, and involve visitors in environmental protection. Special attention should be given to engaging local communities and ensuring content is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Night of Fortresses Goes Green continues to build a community that sees heritage as a place for meeting, learning, and shared action — step by step, event by event.
This year's edition of Night of Fortresses Goes Green event is part of Project FORTIC – From Remains of War to the Architecture of Peace in the Cross-Border Area of Italy-Croatia, funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021–2027 program. The project is led by the City of Pula, with partners including Fortress of Culture Šibenik, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and the municipalities of Cervia, Vieste, and Korčula. Associated partners include the School for Upbringing and Education in Pula, the Tourist Board of Korčula, and the Venetian association UNPLI Veneto.
The expansion of Night of Fortresses to new locations in Croatia and Italy is directly linked to the FORTIC project, which addresses key challenges in sustainable tourism across the Adriatic cross-border area.
FORTIC focuses on enhancing sustainable tourism through digital solutions and innovative social models, tackling issues such as the lack of digital tools for joint tourism products, seasonal tourism dependency, and the need for green and digital technologies in cultural heritage preservation.
The event also serves to expand and strengthen collaboration between cities and organizations managing fortified heritage sites. It is held with the support of international associations EFFORTS (European Federation of Fortified Sites) and FORTE CULTURA, which have included Night of Fortresses as part of the European Fortress Summer Event.
