“Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” certified in 1991
In the 13th century, German seafaring merchants joined together to lay the basis of what became the Hanseatic League as a way to pursue their shared economic interests. Along the coasts of Northern Europe, mainly around the Baltic Sea, up to 225 cities joined the League, which had an important influence on the economy, politics and trade until the 17th century.
The network consists of 190 cities in 16 countries, a significant number of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Hansa could be seen as a medieval forerunner to the European Union, and thus constitutes an invaluable heritage from a common European past.
Travellers may choose to visit any of the cities that are pan of this large network, and all of them can be visited all year round. However, there is one very special occasion, the annual Hanseatic Day, that brings together citizens from more than 100 European cities in 16 countries to celebrate understanding, respect and co-operation. Through hundreds of different activities, markets and exhibitions the traveller can experience the essence of the unique Hanseatic spirit!
Council of Europe values
All of the current 190 Hanseatic member cities share the same democratic rights and the same core European values; free trade, free movement and protection of citizens. Given the tensions within Europe today, this network represents an important means of peaceful and respectful co-existence. In addition, the Youth Hansa initiative brings together young people from the Hanseatic cities, so as to transfer these values to the next generation.
"Msafara wa Utamaduni wa Baraza la Ulaya, uliothibitishwa mwaka 1991: ""Kama njia ya kufuatilia maslahi yao ya kiuchumi ya pamoja, wafanyabiashara wa baharini wa Ujerumani walijiunga pamoja ili kuweka msingi wa kile kilichokuwa Ligi ya Hanseatic." Katika maeneo ya pwani ya Ulaya ya Kaskazini, hasa karibu na Bahari ya Baltic, hadi miji 225 ilijiunga na Ligi, ambayo ilikuwa na ushawishi muhimu juu ya uchumi, siasa na biashara hadi karne ya 17. Mfumo huo unajumuisha miji 190 katika nchi 16 na idadi kubwa ya miji hiyo ni ya urithi wa dunia wa UNESCO. Hansa inaweza kuonekana kama mtangulizi wa enzi za kati wa Umoja wa Ulaya, na hivyo ni urithi wa thamani kutoka kwa zamani ya kawaida ya Ulaya. Watalii wanaweza kuchagua kutembelea yoyote ya miji ambayo ni sehemu ya mtandao huu mkubwa, na wote wanaweza kutembelewa mwaka mzima. Siku ya Hanseatic ni siku ya kila mwaka ambayo huadhimisha siku ya Hanseatic, siku ambayo wananchi kutoka miji zaidi ya 100 ya Ulaya katika nchi 16 hukusanyika pamoja kusherehekea uelewevu, heshima na ushirikiano. Kupitia mamia ya shughuli tofauti, masoko na maonyesho msafiri anaweza uzoefu kiini cha roho ya kipekee Hanseatic! Mji wa Hanseatic, ambao sasa una miji 190 ya wanachama, unashiriki haki sawa za kidemokrasia na maadili sawa ya msingi ya Ulaya: biashara huru, harakati huru na ulinzi wa raia. Kwa kuzingatia mvutano ndani ya Ulaya leo, mtandao huu inawakilisha njia muhimu ya amani na kuheshimu kuishi pamoja. Kwa kuongezea, mpango wa Vijana wa Hansa unaunganisha vijana kutoka miji ya Hanseatic, ili kuhamisha maadili haya kwa kizazi kifuatacho.