Literary Route

Literary heritage is a bridge to the discovery of new contexts (Rodrigues et al., 2024), and the exploration of these new contexts connects intellectual and sensory engagement as visitors seek to experience the fictional worlds described in literature through real-world settings (Jiang & Yu, 2020; Włodarczyk & Duda, 2019) or the non-fictional places of the author (Anjo et al., 2021). A literary route refers to a curated path or itinerary that highlights locations significant to literature, such as places where famous authors lived, wrote, or were inspired to write. It often includes landmarks, house museums, museums, libraries, and other sites associated with literary history and culture. These routes aim to provide an immersive experience, allowing participants to explore the literary heritage and context of a particular region or author (Rodrigues et al., 2024). From an academic standpoint, literary routes hold substantial importance within cultural tourism and literary studies because they enable interdisciplinary research by integrating aspects of geography, history, and literature, thereby creating immersive educational experiences. Hence, these routes provide the foundation for the exploration and appreciation of literary heritage (Baleiro & Quinteiro, 2019), and they are crucial in preserving and promoting literary heritage, stimulating cultural tourism and bolstering local economies (Çevik, 2024).

The incorporation of digital technologies in the development of literary routes significantly enhances their accessibility, appeal and engagement, rendering them an invaluable resource for both educational and tourism purposes (Anjo et al., 2021). For instance, implementing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in literary routes allows users to interact with historical and fictional narratives through mobile devices. This technological integration creates more immersive and interactive experiences for visitors (Anjo et al., 2021), increases user engagement, particularly for younger audiences and makes the routes more accessible to individuals with mobility impairments, enhancing the educational and tourism experience. Using geolocation-based applications in literary routes enables tourists to receive real-time information and multimedia content related to specific literary landmarks (Riabova et al., 2024). This digital enhancement facilitates a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the sites, making the literary routes more appealing and informative for educational groups and casual tourists.

Several academic and cultural initiatives (e.g, Nliterário project; Women Writers Route) have significantly advanced the understanding and appreciation of the role of literary routes within territorial contexts to develop a cluster of new experiences. Developing such literary routes also aims to contribute to the dissemination and preservation of literary and cultural memory and heritage in the destinations involved and promote the sharing of good practices.

Literary routes benefit local communities by fostering cultural preservation and economic development (Sousa et al., 2024). By attracting tourists interested in literature, they help to sustain and celebrate the unique cultural identity of the area. This cultural engagement educates visitors and instils a sense of pride among residents, encouraging them to maintain and share their cultural heritage. Economically, literary routes stimulate local economies by increasing tourism-related revenue. Visitors drawn to these routes often spend money on accommodation, dining, and local attractions, supporting local businesses and creating job opportunities (Rodrigues et al., 2024). The development of literary routes can also lead to infrastructure improvements and increased investment in the community.

The future of literary routes is poised to be increasingly dynamic and technologically integrated, enhancing their educational and tourism potential. Developing new thematic routes beyond the traditional author-centric tours, including visits to places associated with literary characters and film productions that incorporate characters in real or imaginary places with shared narratives and attributes, will cater to diverse interests and promote a broader understanding of literary heritage. This means that the contribution of literary tourism can be widely recognised by local communities and visitors, as well as businesses and the academic community.

How to cite this d entry: Sousa, B. (2025). Literary route. In R. Baleiro, G. Capecchi & J. Arcos-Pumarola (Eds.), E-Dictionary of Literary Tourism. University for Foreigners of Perugia. https://doi.org/10.34623/zdg2-hn59