A Guide Proposal for Determining Cultural Routes

Abstract

The study centers on crafting a cultural route planning guide for creating historically and culturally significant routes, exemplified by the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Route. These routes, underscored by their complexity and multidisciplinary nature, have gained prominence in cultural heritage. The study aims to establish evaluation criteria for heritage elements seeking inclusion in such routes. Drawing from literature reviews and the Council of Europe Cultural Routes Programme, it devised a set of planning indicators comprising nine main criteria and 50 sub-criteria. Utilizing the SMART methodology, guiding questions and recommendations were formulated for each indicator. This guide offers a vital roadmap for cultural heritage stakeholders aiming to establish new routes or join existing ones.