Cultural Landscapes as Potential Tools for the Conservation of Rural Landscape Heritage Values. Using the Example of the Passau Abbey Cultural Site

Heritage values are receiving more attention today than they have ever before. Many international and local conventions, as well as legislations, deal with the conservation and valorization of heritage values. Among these, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (UNESCO, 1972) and the International List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003) are particularly important. This subject is also becoming more meaningful in the field of tourism. Ambitious tourists put an authentic environment first, and cultural tourism based on intellectual interest is one of the most dynamically developing types of tourism products (Gonda, 2016). One of the fundamental characteristics of a cultural landscape is change, which is reflected in the natural landscape and also in the features that fill the spaces. However, the changes that have taken place in recent decades have not only led to the loss of diversity of cultural and historical habitats. These have also resulted in a blurring of the images that characterize a region, with the consequent loss of aesthetic values and identity. The Bavarian example examined in my study is an attempt to map and record the current state of the Bavarian cultural landscape and to define recommendations for the various sectors as a guide for future generations.

Keywords: authentic environment, cultural heritage, cultural landscape, world heritage