LL-00052 Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia (an acronym Military Heritage II)
The project addressed the need to integrate the military heritage of South Latvia and Lithuania into the Baltic military heritage tourism network. Due to their common history, the Baltic States are regarded as a single destination for tourists on military heritage tourism map. The countries lacked a common integrated cross-border themed tourism product. Common product identity is strengthening the tourist attraction potential. The first step initiating Baltic military heritage tourism has been made by launching the Latvian-Estonian military heritage tourism product. While it has gained popularity and positive recognition, the territorial coverage of the product did not reveal the full story of the Baltics. South Latvia and whole Lithuania was missing in the picture.
Project objective
The overall project objective is enhancing the role of military heritage tourism in economic development by extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.
Partners organized regional information and cluster network development seminars, as well as national events to raise awareness and involvement reaching stakeholders in programme area. Military heritage tourism product development guidelines, based on existing Guidelines for Latvia and Estonia, have been adapted and are supporting tourism service providers. ~300 military heritage objects have been integrated in the product. Web platform militaryheritagetourism.info has been adapted to integrate LV-LT product information. Touring routes are set up. Audio guides have been developed for selected objects in Žemaitija, Latgale, Zemgale. 5 military heritage tourism sites in Latgale and Žemaitija have been improved with innovative solutions. Info plates are put on selected objects. Two publications have been produced: Baltic military heritage overview travel map and Baltic military heritage travel guide. Promo videos and short reels have been made introducing the military heritage tourism product, stories and sites. Product visual identity was used on military heritage tourism objects, in printed and online marketing materials, as the common Baltic Military Heritage tourism brand. International media tour was organized to raise interest in Baltic military heritage tourism and to reach international target audience. Project final conference was discussing innovative approaches to enhance the role of military heritage in tourism. The focus of this event was on Baltic states results of product development for tourism. Also national media trip was organized to reach domestic target audience and new military heritage tourism objects to be involved in the product. Project partner web sites and social media, as well as project social media has been used to inform on the project progress and achievements. Partners presented the product in specialized travel fairs and at themed military heritage festival.
Project results
The Military Heritage II project successfully expanded the Baltic Military Heritage Tourism product to Southern Latvia and Lithuania, building on the military heritage tourism network previously developed in Latvia and Estonia. As a result, military heritage sites across all three Baltic States are now connected and promoted as one common tourism destination.
1. A common Baltic Military Heritage Tourism network expanded
The project strengthened and geographically expanded the Baltic Military Heritage Tourism product by integrating military heritage sites and stories from Southern Latvia and Lithuania into the existing network. Instead of promoting individual sites separately, the project connects them through a common identity, web platform, routes and marketing activities, helping visitors discover the shared military history of the Baltic States across national borders.
2. More than 300 new sites and extensive historical content added to the common web platform
The militaryheritagetourism.info platform was substantially expanded and improved. Project partners jointly added more than 300 new military heritage tourism sites, 124 historical stories and 40 historical topics, while existing content was updated and supplemented. The platform provides multilingual information, routes, audio guides, historical content and practical visitor information, serving as the main digital gateway to the Baltic Military Heritage Tourism product.
3. Five military heritage sites improved with new visitor experiences
Investments were made at five sites in Latvia and Lithuania. In Latgale, interactive digital kiosks were installed at the Repository of Historical Evidence in Līdumnieki and Viļaka Regional Museum, outdoor information stands were created along the Military Heritage hiking trail in Līvāni region, and a military-themed Escape Room/Interactive Game was developed in Vanagi. In Lithuania, the Cold War Exposition at the former Plokštinė missile base was enhanced with a tactile 3D model, 11 information stands with audio guides and a mobile interactive Cold War exhibition. These investments make military history more engaging, understandable and accessible to different visitor groups.
4. Military heritage made easier to discover and experience
New audio guides, information plates, QR codes and touring routes were developed to improve visitor experience and connect individual sites with the wider Baltic network. Information plates help visitors recognise sites belonging to the Military Heritage Tourism network, while audio guides and digital interpretation provide additional historical context. Cross-border and thematic routes encourage visitors to combine several military heritage sites into longer journeys through the Baltic States.
5. Joint publications and international marketing brought the product to new audiences
Two major tourism publications were produced: the Baltic Military Heritage overview travel map, presenting key sites across all three Baltic States, and the Baltic Military Heritage Travel Guide – Southern Part, featuring 113 sites and 10 touring routes. The project also produced 3 promotional videos and 30 reels in Latvian, Lithuanian and English and promoted the product at tourism fairs, public events, through social media and international media.
An international media and tour operator trip in August 2025 brought 13 journalists and tour operators from the Netherlands, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Hong Kong and the USA to military heritage sites in Southern Latvia and Lithuania, introducing the Baltic military heritage story directly to international tourism markets.
6. A stronger cross-border network created for the future
The project strengthened cooperation between tourism organisations, military heritage sites, museums, municipalities and other stakeholders across the Baltic region. The final international conference “Military Heritage Tourism: Innovative Approaches and Baltic Cooperation” in March 2026 brought together more than 120 participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Poland to exchange experience and discuss future development opportunities.
The cooperation will continue beyond the project: all five project partners will continue working together after project completion. The common web platform, improved sites, tourism publications, established stakeholder network and shared Baltic Military Heritage Tourism identity provide a strong foundation for maintaining and further developing the product in the future.
Project partners:
Latvian Country Tourism Association "Lauku celotajs"
Žemaitija National Park directorate
Latgale region Tourism association
Total projects size was 641 927,48 EUR. Out of them co-funding of European Regional Development Fund was 513 541,98 EUR.
Project on the Programme website: www.latlit.eu/theprojects/extending-the-baltic-military-heritage-tourism-product-in-lithuania-and-south-latvia/
Official EU website: www.europa.eu
Project website: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en
This information has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this information are the sole responsibility of Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
