Online exhibition

Schengen: A Europe without Borders

In a small village nestled at the junction of Luxembourg, France, and Germany, a quiet revolution began. In 1985, Schengen became the symbolic birthplace of one of the most significant political projects in post-war Europe: the Schengen Agreement, which laid the foundations for a continent with open internal borders.

The exhibition traces the roots of Schengen back to the broader European integration project, starting with the 1957 Treaty of Rome. While early treaties focused on economic unity, Schengen took a bold step further by removing internal border controls among five founding countries — France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This vision of free movement was both a practical and symbolic break from a European past shaped by war, division, and rigid boundaries.

Through interactive maps and historical documents, the exhibition guides viewers through the changing contours of European borders — from the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to the expansion of the Schengen Area in the 21st century. It challenges the visitor to reflect on the very meaning of a border — not just as a line on a map, but as a cultural, political, and social construct.
The Schengen Area has grown over time, now encompassing 30 countries, including non-EU members like Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Microstates like Monaco and San Marino, though not official members, benefit from Schengen arrangements in practice.his gradual enlargement illustrates both the appeal and complexity of deepening European cooperation.

While Schengen removed internal barriers, it also required the fortification of external borders. The exhibition explores the development of tools such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), border surveillance, and Frontex, the EU’s border agency.

The film Frontera/Border, made by Lakbira in the framework of ABCeuta was selected to complete the online exhibition on the Schengen agreement.

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