European tourism Gardens of Eden no 22: tourism revivals

Regenerated destinations: new life new tourism new tourists: Poland: Holland: Malta: Lithuania

Å»yrardów Poland

Situated in the heart of Poland in the Mazovia Voivodeship region is Żyrardow. Just 45 km away from Warsaw, Żyrardow is most famous for its linen factory, established in 1829 by the Łubieńscy brothers. It soon became the largest linen factory in Europe.

The historical centre of the city was occupied by the factory settlement. It included homes for the workers, churches, schools, canteens and other local amenities. Today, it is the one of a few urban centres in Europe that has been completely preserved and a unique example of the so-called model town or garden city.

The downtown centre of Żyrardow is a stunning architectural testament, characterised by red-brick buildings and well planned street, with green fields that separate residential areas from the industrial zone.
As well as offering an insight into life at the factory and its history, Żyrardow offers numerous possibilities for active holidaymakers. Excellent cycling paths (especially near the Bolimowski Natural Landscape Park), and canoeing trips along the Rawki River ensure a great holiday for everyone.
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Veenhuizen (The Netherlands)

Veenhuizen Veenhuizen is a small Dutch village, situated in the north of the country in the province of Drenthe. Over the past two decades dramatic changes have taken place in the community. The village, which served as a colony for the re-education of homeless people and children, has radically changed over time to become an outstanding tourist destination, famous for its history and unique heritage.

The town is also surrounded by forests, valleys and offers splendid culture and architecture. Fochteloёrveen is perfect for bike rides and is also worth visiting for its rich plant life. The connection between Veenhuizen and the surrounding countryside is very strong, dating back to the 19th century when the colonies worked the land and cultivated the wilderness.

Following the end of its prison era, many buildings in Veenhuizen were abandoned and the local economy, which depended on the prison, collapsed causing unemployment to rise. It was decided to regenerate the local economy by promoting the history of the site and the unique character of the former prison colony. Veenhuizen is today an unusual rural tourist destination, with a variety of cultural and natural attractions. The old buildings have been given a new purpose while preserving their unique architectural styles. A good example of this is Maallust, a former grain mill and storage space. This has now been converted into a brewery and a cheese farm.

The former drugstore along with the kitchen and the hospital is now a hotel and health centre. The sleeping quarters of the cotton factory have been converted into guest lodges for visitors. Several art galleries and museums have also opened which showcase the unique history of the village. Veenhuizen currently welcomes approximately 160,000 visitors each year.
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Għarb (Malta)

Għarb is a tranquil small village situated in the west of Gozo Island. It is one of the oldest settlements on the island, best known for its local crafts, deep-rooted culture, ancient architecture and pristine landscapes. The local Council has always championed conservation projects. A great success story and a key achievement of the island’s regeneration efforts is the revival of Wied il-Mielaħ, from wasteland to a magnificent rural destination.

Wied il-Mielaħ is a project that has earned incredible success in the quest towards sustainability and eco-tourism. Wied il- Mielaħ, which literally means ‘salty valley’, now forms one of the most important landscapes in Għarb.

This stunning location combines rubble walls and valley basins with rich flora and fauna. For a very long time, Wied il-Mielaħ was abandoned and was merely used as wasteland. The misuse of the site motivated the local Council to take action and revive Wied il- Mielaħ.

The main aim of the regeneration project was to make it an outstanding rural destination. The project included restoration of the location to its natural state and reconstruction of the rubble walls, while also making it a sought after tourist destination. A cultural aspect was also considered during the restoration works, and today the valley is included in some of Gozo’s most important festivities.

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Rokiškis Manor (Lithuania)

Rokiškis Manor The small town of Rokiškis is 160 km to the north of Vilnius. Here you will find the Rokiškis Manor – a splendid park and former residence of Count Ignotas Tyzenhauzas. It was built in 1801 and served as the permanent family residence of the Count for many generations.

The manor, with its park, greenhouses, ponds and zoological garden was very popular in the region. The diverse cultural programme and rich music tradition attracted both locals and people from neighbouring towns. After several decades of neglect, Rokiškis Manor is regaining its popularity, and today its doors are open to visitors from all over the world. One of the local highlights, the Rokiškis Regional Museum, has held over 77,000 exhibits, including fine art pieces, paintings, sculptures, ancient books, documents, coins and archeological findings.

Restoration works took place in Rokiškis Manor at the end of the 20th century. Redevelopment and revival as well as the creation of a new tourist spot became key priorities for the local authorities. Due to the misuse, the residence had lost a lot of its original charm. Most of the buildings were in bad condition and for a very long time no activities were organised in the Manor.

The situation has changed dramatically after a large-scale restoration project was implemented. Today the complex is a significant tourist attraction in the region. One of the most important places is the Rokiškis Regional Museum, which was moved to the Manor House in the 1950s. It is dedicated to the history and culture of the Manor and the region, and it hosts several permanent exhibitions and over twenty visiting exhibitions each year.

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SEE ALSO

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Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE