Mary's Route – Connecting People, Heritage and Nature

Mary's Route is more than a long-distance trail. It is a network that connects people, landscapes, and cultural heritage. The route extends for approximately 2,200 kilometres. Its east–west axis links Mariazell (Austria) with Șumuleu Ciuc / Csíksomlyó (Romania), while its north–south axis connects Częstochowa (Poland) and Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Crossing seven countries, the network invites travellers to discover Europe's shared heritage through authentic local experiences.

Whether explored on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback, the route encourages a slower pace of travel. Instead of rushing between destinations, visitors are invited to experience the journey itself—immersing themselves in nature, meeting local communities, and discovering traditions that have shaped the region for centuries.

Mary's Route promotes the principles of slow and sustainable tourism. By directing visitors towards rural areas and lesser-known destinations, the network contributes to local development while helping to reduce the pressure of mass tourism. Travelling at a human pace also encourages environmental awareness, respect for local culture, and meaningful interaction with people and places.

RurAllure is a Horizon 2020 project running from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023, aimed at promoting cultural cooperation and sustainable tourism in the area of European pilgrimage routes. To achieve its goals, the project uses state-of-the-art IT solutions to promote rural museums and heritage site.

The leaders of the consortium running the project are Martín López Nores from the Universidade de Vigo in Spain and Susana Reboreda Morillo from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. The consortium involves 16 institutions, including Spanish, Norwegian, Italian, Portuguese, Slovak research institutes and universities. Hungary is represented by the Government Informatics Development Agency (KIFÜ) and the Mária Út Egyesület (MUTKE).