The task of the Council of Europe–certified Cultural Route is to connect cities, municipalities, and institutions across the continent that share Habsburg (architectural) heritage.
At the General Assembly, President Reinhold Sahl presented the members from Austria, Switzerland, France, and Montenegro with a detailed annual report for 2024. Highlights included a visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg with meetings with 12 Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors, the admission of the KHM Museumsverband, a visit to the European Institute of Cultural Routes in Luxembourg, participation in the Annual Advisory Forum of the Cultural Routes in Visegrád, the first historians’ conference in Gödöllő, as well as the multi‑part TV documentary series “The Habsburgs in Europe” for the broadcaster 3sat.
Future projects were also discussed. In spring 2025, Austria’s only diplomacy magazine, Cercle Diplomatique, will publish an in‑depth interview with Reinhold Sahl on the Burghauptmannschaft Österreich and Via Habsburg. In addition, a re‑certification process is upcoming, along with participation in several international conferences on the topic of monument preservation, and the production of the final part of “The Habsburgs in Europe,” with a particular focus on the life and legacy of the dynasty in the 19th century.
At the end of the General Assembly, the members unanimously approved new admissions to Via Habsburg. With Lilienfeld Abbey, Artstetten Castle, and Tyrol Castle / Castel Tirolo, further important route sites are being integrated into the Cultural Route.
The meeting concluded with an address and a wine tasting hosted by Korneuburg’s Mayor Christian Gepp.
Via Habsburg would like to thank the City of Korneuburg—itself a member of the Cultural Route—for the warm welcome and for providing the historic town hall as the venue for this year’s General Assembly.
Photos © GS FILM