The "Rundlingsverein e.V." Association

Unknown artist

Jury Citation: "In the current economic climate, cultural institutions are becoming increasingly dependent on voluntary help. The Jury regarded Rundling Association as an exceptional example how this process can succeed. It was most impressed by the commitment and strategic vision of successive generations of unpaid volunteers who have worked to save these fascinating medieval settlements and their structured planning system from disappearance, revitalizing them as thriving communities. Their creation of the state of the art Wendlandhof Museum and its informative visitor experience has been crucial for public understanding of the rarity of these historic clusters. These are certainly special places. The unusual plan of the Rundling villages and their rural architecture create a unique cultural landscape, convincing the Jury that they are worthy of support in their bid for World Heritage Status."