HISTORY VALLEY

1. Basic data:

Construction:     ÉMOP-2007-2.1.1./B-Development of tourism attractions
Beneficiary:    Csereháti Településszövetség (Cserehát Municipality Alliance)
Consortium members:    Boldva Municipal Government
Borsodszirák Municipal Government
Bhim Rao Association, Szendrőlád
Szendrő Municipal Government
Komjáti Municipal Government
Hidvégardó Municipal Government
Varga és Társa Kft.
Identifier:             ÉMOP-2.1.1./B-2f-2009-0014
Period:    01.06.2010-31.05.2012
Total cost:    HUF 540,810,128
Amount of contribution:   HUF 465,254,112
Contributor:    The project is realised with support from the European Union and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

2. The project

2.1. The partners

In order to realise the program, five municipal governments (Boldva, Borsodszirák, Szendrő, Komjáti and Hidvégardó), an NGO (Szendrőlád) and an entrepreneur (Szinpetri) joined their forces under the coordination of Cserehát Municipality Alliance and submitted their application responding to the call for tenders published in relation to ÉMOP-2.1.1., the support of tourism attractions. This partnership is further extended by 4 more settlements (Damak, Szalonna, Bódvaszilas, Tornaszentandrás) creating exhibition venues, while professional assistance is provided by the Aggtelek National Park, the Hungarian National Trust, as well as the participating civil society stakeholders.

2.2 The concept

Within the frameworks of the program, which interprets the historic heritage of the Bódva River and its tributary valleys, rich in natural and historic sights, within one complex tourism attraction, we united the main tenderer and the seven settlements participating in the tender, as well as further 4 settlements belonging to the thematic route, as the core area of the History Valley, in order to create the conditions for visitors to the area to have an insight into the given era and experience the “time travel”, highlighting certain historical periods and focussing on the local heritage and local products. The desired effect is ensured by the harmony of the authentic buildings, the exhibitions that never lack interactive elements, the programs and events facilitating active involvement, the period costumes, the gastronomic specialities and the souvenirs on sale.

According to the concept, the History Valley could be expanded to unite the cultural and tourism offer of the whole of the Aggtelek-Edelény tourism destination region. What is more, even the areas across the border could be involved.

2.3. Activities

1.   Construction and redecoration of exhibition venues, establishing event venues
•    Boldva – House of Friends
•    Borsodszirák – House of Ornaments
•    Szendrőlád – Roma Cultural Centre
•    Szendrő – Upper Castle Lookout Tower
•    Komjáti – Miracle Manor
•    Hidvégardó – Village Museum, Gedeon Mansion
•    Szinpetri – Big Book, Paper Mill

2.    Arrangement of the exhibitions, creation of interactive elements, 15 exhibitions of historic – cultural themes

3.   Construction of tourist greeting points, information and resting areas, 4 tourist greeting and resting areas (Boldva, 2 venues in Szendrő, Hidvégardó)

4.    Construction of the gate to the History Valley; construction of 2 symbolic gates in Boldva and Hidvégardó

5.   Fruit Route – Creation of a footpath

6.   Establishment of the information system
•    Welcoming signs in the settlements, guidance signs, information signs, trade signs, investment signs
•    Interactive information points
•    website
•    4 types of publications
•    PR film

7.   Preparation of the workforce operating the exhibition venues and the greeting points, as well as of the service providers involved
•    Staff of 30, trained to operate the exhibitions
•    10 settlements suitable to establish the thematic cultural tourism offer and the partnership circles making it possible to form the complex offer,

2.4. Results and expectable impacts of the program

Through the realisation of the program, we would like to increase the tourism revenues of the region to a perceivable extent. This is to be achieved partly as the direct entrance fee revenue of the produced services but, most importantly, through our contribution to increasing the turnover of related tourism services. We can contribute to improving the livelihood of those living in the region directly by raising the number and the specific income of the families involved in the operation of tourism and also indirectly through additional services related to the expansion of the local market. In addition to the economic objectives, the process of project realisation and then the new activities starting on the base of the increased tourism attractions provide the opportunity to achieve the widespread development of the regional human resources, in particular creativity and an environmentally friendly way of thinking that recognises and appreciates the local values, which can induce further economic and social activities necessary to set the region on a new development course.