“This is the story of the LIVELY MARSH, told by us humans. But there are other voices here too: the reeds recalling the great drainage, the birds returning each spring, the water tracing its ancient paths. Follow the trail and immerse yourself in their stories.”
These are the first words that guests will encounter upon visiting the Dragoman Marsh come summer 2026. A new project currently under construction will introduce visitors to the wonders of life in the marsh.
LIVELY MARSH, funded through WaterLANDS H2020, involves the development of a renewed route through the marsh, new interpretive signage and the construction of a visitor centre. The project, which has involved a wide range of partners working together for months, is due to be completed this summer. Offerings for visitors will include boardwalks, interpretive signage, art installations and interactive events.
“At first glance, the marsh might seem still and ordinary, but it’s a whole world alive with movement and rhythm. With a little patience and attention, you’ll discover how rich its life is in every season.”
Along the new route, signs will guide visitors and friends of the marsh to explore and marvel at its hidden life. Characters that guests will encounter include the bearded reedling, the white willow, and the dragonfly. There will also be a new visitor centre built at the entrance to the marsh.
The visitor centre and the interpretive signs are being designed using road sign technology, which is resistant to high humidity, strong wind, UV radiation and temperature amplitudes - conditions that are normal for the Dragoman Marsh. The use of road sign technology guarantees a long service life, minimal maintenance and limited need for human intervention, thus minimising the impact on protected habitats and species.
Conceptually, the road signs fit into the logic of the circular route as a system for clear, unobtrusive guidance, in which the visitor follows a sequence of signals and pauses, like moving on a road, but in keeping with the rhythm and scale of the landscape.
The guests’ journey along the route will be punctuated at different positions - each pause along the route will provide information and visuals about a different theme, as well as an interactive series of tasks facilitated by a QR code. This allows visitors to access additional content and continue their experience beyond the physical space, without the need for additional intervention in the environment. Interactive tasks include learning how to create your own wetland at home, and exploring the different colours of dragonflies that can be found in the marsh.
The old boardwalks in the marsh were largely destroyed by a fire in 2020 and will be replaced with new ones. The team are working to preserve some of the old information infrastructure that was salvaged from the fire.
