Theatre has been a corner stone of European culture for over 2500 years. The buildings created for this art mirror the changes of society in their architecture. By looking at and understanding this built heritage, we can therefore understand our history. The architectural form we are still using today originated in Italy around 1600 and spread through-out Europe, till this theatre building became one of the very few truly European building types – a common European heritage.As such, theatres are an expression of European unity. At the same time, the different styles in decoration in the various countries testify to diversity.16 partners from 12 countries are now joining forces to put this heritage into the focus of attention. • We shall conduct research and present the first ever online database of all still existing historic theatres in Europe; • We shall select the most interesting theatre buildings and line them up on one continuous cultural tourism route that spans all of Europe; • We shall promote the European Route in many European countries; • We shall create a travelling exhibition that presents this heritage in context, entitled “The history of Europe – told by its theatres”; • And while doing all this, we shall initiate cooperation among the partners and about 120 theatres in over 30 countries.In doing so, we are extending and completing two past projects supported by the EU:• the initial “European Route of Historic Theatres” (2007-2009, headed by PERSPECTIV, DE) that has already linked 40 outstanding historic theatres in eight countries• the project “Theatre architecture in Central Europe” (2008-2011, headed by the National Theatre Prague, CZ) that has produced an online database of theatres in five Central European countriesWe are now combining the expertise from both projects and include partners in other countries to make visible the European Union of historic theatres.