In 1991 the basic question of how to make Europeans understand that cultural heritage connects as well as separates them led representatives of the Council of Europe and the founding Member States to organise a joint pan-European event: Days of European Cultural Heritage.
Therefore, every September, participating states throughout Europe (there are 49 of them today) organise a series of different events aimed at presenting cultural heritage.
During this month they open the doors of numerous cultural monuments and archaeological sites – including those that have generally been closed to the public during the year.
Today, these events encompass 30,000 monuments and attract 20 million visitors.