National Register of Good Safeguarding Practices

Alps (Alemannic, Old-Bavarian: “Almen”) are summer pastures in the mountains, with which mountain farmers extend the fodder base of the valley. The cattle grazes until mid-September in different altitudes and is gradually moved downhill from higher positions. At the end of the summer grazing the cattle is moved back to the valley and returned to the respective owners.

For centuries, construction workshops, mainly related to cathedrals, such as in Ulm, Freiburg or Cologne, safeguard craft techniques, traditional knowledge and customs in connection with the construction and preservation of large-scale buildings. This tradition continues to the present day.

Manufactory production techniques such as guilloching, stamping/pressing or sand casting are characteristic for the production of art nouveau jewellery. These dominated the European jewellery industry from the middle of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century.

Baden-Württemberg has a very high density of music associations where amateur music, both instrumental and vocal, is made by about one million people. A significant local event without the participation of an amateur music association is practically unthinkable in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Upper Franconia offers a multitude of culinary specialties, frequently relating to carefully preserved customs and their creative further development. The culinary identity is not only a part of history, but also to this day a part of the identity of the people.

Names belong to the oldest linguistic and cultural heritage. They have been shaped many generations ago to characterize and distinguish between people and places. Until the 18th century, names for cadastral sections and houses were formed by the population through natural use and are thus direct expression of their interest in these geographic places.

The diatonic accordion originated at the beginning of the 19th century in the German-speaking world. It spread first into neighbouring countries and later also worldwide. Today the instrument is played mainly abroad. In Germany it almost disappeared and is now once again increasingly shaping the local awareness of younger generations.

The synagogal choral music originated at the beginning of the 19th century. It disappeared during the National Socialist period due to the Holocaust and the destruction of many synagogues. Today, the musical tradition is being revived by a number of choirs that rehearse and develop the composers' repertoire and perform it in concerts or festivals.

The Jura house is a typical regional house shape in the Altmühljura. It features a cubic shape, small windows and stone roofs made of limestone slabs.

Legends differ from fairy tales thanks to their local character. The orally conveyed literature is related to the regional cultural and natural heritage and remains alive through active storytelling.

There are many Pentecostal associations, but those in the villages of Ahlsdorf, Blankenheim, Hergisdorf and Kreisfeld in the association of municipalities Mansfelder Grund-Helbra exemplify how a common practice can lead to intensive cooperation on a municipal and cultural level.