The theme was integrated into the Council of Europe programme in 1992 and the route is awarded certification as a “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” on 9 December 2004.
What started as a network between German merchants developed into an impressive league of cities that for several centuries kept power and control over trade and markets related to the Baltic Sea.
For 300 years following 1358, the cities met at least ones a year at a Hanseatic Day where all matters were discussed and decided. During its Golden Age the Hansa consisted of 70 major cities and around 130 smaller cities and supplied markets in 20 European countries. The Hansa was powerful enough to defend the trading interests of its members, even starting uprising wars against kingdoms and duchies.
In 1980 the idea of the Hansa was revived and the first modern Hanseatic Day was celebrated in the Dutch city of Zwolle. Since then the cities have met once a year in May or June. Today 170 cities are members of the Hansa
 

European Institute of Cultural Routes
Information source: The Council of Europe Cultural Routes brochure, 2004
Photo: Gdansk; © EICR