World Cultural Heritage: 40 key examples of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (places, monuments…)
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Chichen Itza is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. The area surrounding the once important Mayan/Toltec city or cultural center was registered with UNESCO in 1988 as a cultural heritage of humanity, thanks to buildings such as the Kukulkan temple, a reminder of a powerful and fascinating culture, well ahead of his time and has disappeared without leaving a single trace.
2. Nazca Lines (Peru)
The lines and geoglyphs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana are a large group of roads made on the desert floor that occupy an area close to 518km 2 . These lines, which initially do not seem to have any order or form, come to life from above, forming figures that range from straight lines to intricate drawings with very complex humanoid, phytomorphic and animal forms. They were registered by UNESCO in 1994 and are preserved only thanks to the inert climatic conditions of the region. A perfect example of what is cultural heritage of humanity.
3. City of Quito (Ecuador)
The city of San Francisco de Quito is considered one of the most important historical sites in Latin America and one of the first places considered cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 1978, as well as the first city in the world on that list. A city that stands out for its practically intact colonial center, even though it is one of the oldest capitals in South America, housing a high density of architectural heritage and invaluable cultural samples.
4. Archaeological zone of Machu Picchu (Peru)
Machu Picchu is the greatest work of the Incas that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. It is the ancient capital city of the empire located more than 2,400 km high in the forested mountains of the Amazon. This citadel of incalculable archaeological value still preserves part of its walls, terraces, houses, temples and streets, resulting in one of the most recognized and impressive views in the world.
5. Mount Rushmore (USA)
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial or Mount Rushmore, as it is known in Spanish, is a colossal monument that reflects 150 years of key history in the consolidation of the United States of America. In it, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are reflected. The 18 meter tall faces completely dominate the landscape, summarizing the birth and rise of the nation. It was given a place on the UNESCO list as a world heritage site in 1987.
6. Red Bay Whaling Station (Canada)
In 2013, UNESCO recognized the Red Bay whaling station as a representative element of the cultural heritage of humanity for being one of the richest underwater archaeological finds in all of America. Around the entire coast of Red Bay, both on the seabed and outside, you can find innumerable remains of shipwrecks that tell the story of whaling in the 16th century, being the largest station in the world in this category.
7. Rapa Nui National Park (Chile)
The Rapa Nui National Park located on Easter Island was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 thanks to its magnificent representations of primitive Polynesian culture, of which the moai stand out, statues of enormous size and weight that are a mystery to researchers. To its rich cultural reserve are added more than 7,000 hectares of a beautiful landscape worthy of a world heritage.
8. Cave of the Hands (Argentina)
The cave of Las Manos is a World Heritage Site in Argentina that stands out for its display of cave paintings of excellent conservation and great historical value. It has been included in the UNESCO list in 1999. The antiquity of the cave paintings (some for more than 7300 years BC) represents a valuable approach to the complexity of South American societies in the Paleolithic.
9. Samaipata Fort (Bolivia)
The Fort of Samaipata is considered the largest carved stone in the world and one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1998. This archaeological zone has unique qualities with distinctive traces of Spanish, Inca and Chané culture. Despite its name, "El Fuerte" is an archaeological monument that, at the time, represented a place of religious and residential worship. It is a very attractive tourist area in Bolivia.
Europe
The European continent stands out for its architectural wonders that include all kinds of art, sculptures, monuments, chapels, cathedrals, medieval castles and much more, which has allowed it to position itself as the continent with the largest number of world cultural heritage sites worthy of a place in Europe. the UNESCO list. Here are some examples of world cultural heritage in Europe.
10. Sistine Chapel (Rome)
The vault of the Sistine Chapel is one of the most complex and impressive works of art in the world and perhaps one of the most recognized in Catholic art. It was painted in fresco by Michelangelo at the request of John Paul II in 1508. It was included in the cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 1984 together with the Vatican City. The chapel features an intricate and carefully related group of works that decorate the entire vault.
11. The Alhambra (Spain)
The Alhambra is made up of a complex network of palaces that shape the city, famous for hosting the Nasrid sultans. It was declared a human heritage in 1984. It has a beautiful natural landscape that fits perfectly with its architecture, creating a delicate harmony that allows you to appreciate all the cultural contrasts that it has witnessed, passing through its Muslim and Renaissance roots. It has become one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain.
12. Roman Colosseum (Rome)
The Roman Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) is one of the most identifiable architectural works in the world and most representative of the empire. Although its famous gladiator fights stand out, it was also used as a place of worship, a refuge and a military fort. It was built in the year 80 AD. and included as a cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 1980, as it is one of the best preserved great Roman structures in the world.
13. Palace of Versailles (France)
Request of the monarch Louis XVI, the Palace of Versailles is a center of cultural richness in itself, decorated in detail by a long list of artists, architects, engineers and sculptors over the generations, which made it an honorary place in the UNESCO list in 1979 for being a masterpiece of architecture and human artistic ingenuity.
14. Eiffel Tower (France)
The Eiffel Tower is an imposing iron structure that rises above the French skyline, being one of its most representative figures and the most visited paid monument in the world. Built by Gustave Eiffel, the 324-meter-high wonder was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
15. Fortified City of Baku (Azerbaijan)
The Old City, as Baku's historic center is known, is the first location in the country to become a World Heritage Site when it was added to the UNESCO list in 2000. The heart of the city consists of several walled buildings that overlook It forms a huge ancient fortress, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden's Tower that give the area a mystical timeless aspect full of alleys, passageways and mosques that turn this location into a cultural adventure.
16. Acropolis of Athens (Greece)
The Acropolis of Athens helps to understand what a World Heritage Site is. It represents one of the most significant vestiges of the ancient empire and is one of the most important classical monuments in Europe and the world. Recognized in 1986 by UNESCO. This set of buildings that make up a single structure on the heights of the city of the same name still preserves in good shape the remains of the pantheon, the propylaea and the temple, which give this location its mystical profile.
17. Aachen Cathedral (Germany)
Aachen Cathedral was one of the first cultural heritage sites to be included in the UNESCO list in 1978. It is a Catholic building with Gothic accents of great relevance and antiquity, being the oldest cathedral in northern Europe, built by Charlemagne.
18. Stilt houses in the Alps (Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Switzerland)
The Alps connect several European countries and they are proud to share one of the most outstanding cultural heritages in the world, the Alpine stilt houses. Cultural heritage of humanity since 2011. These are buildings or settlements over 5,000 years old that were built on pillars. These settlements were originally built on dry land, as a preventive measure against potential flooding. The change in the water level over the centuries caused most of them to be almost covered giving these locations a unique appearance.
Asia
Asia has more than 230 locations declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, where perfectly preserved historic castles, architectural gardens, cult monuments and spaces that preserve an aura of ancient spirituality stand out, among other wonders that help understand what World Heritage means. humanity really. Here are some good examples of world heritage in Asia.
19. Great Wall of China (Chinese)
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive buildings in the world and one of the most recognized architectural structures. This colossal barrier of more than 20,000 km in total length was built between the 5th century BC and the 16th century AD by the different dynasties that were at the head of the powerful Chinese empire, the Ming being the ones who finished it. The wonderful sight of this structure rolling through the mountains is a great reminder of human ingenuity and capabilities, as well as a living icon of a culture, for which it was recognized as an international cultural heritage site in 1987.
20. Taj Mahal (India)
The Taj Mahal, currently admired as one of the most impressive Muslim-style architectural works in the world, was originally a mausoleum intended to house the remains and memory of Emperor Shah Jahan's wife, after she died giving birth. It was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1983. Currently, it represents one of the most important tourist spots in India. Monuments like this help us understand what the cultural heritage of humanity is.
21. Mogao Caves (China)
Also known as the cave of a thousand Buddhas, it is a complex architectural framework that houses nearly 500 temples, each one possessing in itself an invaluable historical and cultural value. The caves are the shelter of important treasures for Buddhism, being one of the most important cult centers of its kind. It was accepted as a cultural heritage of humanity in 1987.
22. Sarazm (Tajikistan)
Sarazm is an archaeological center, an old mining and agricultural city, which was abandoned and buried by the passage of time thousands of years ago. Its historical importance lies in the antiquity of the find since it testifies to the presence of human beings in the Zeravshan valley, at least 5,000 years ago. It was only discovered in 1976 and declared a world heritage site in 2010. It is the first UNESCO heritage site in Tajikistan.
23.Fujisan (Japan)
Also known as Mount Fuji, it is one of the most representative symbols of Japanese art and an important center of Buddhist pilgrimage, surrounded by priceless wonders such as temples, Zionist shrines and even other natural heritage of the world. This 3,776m high snow-capped stratovolcano is considered sacred, as are its sculptures, buildings, hot springs and waterfalls. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2013.
24. Moscow Kremlin (Russia)
The Kremlin are a series of walled buildings that act as a central citadel, typical of the cities in ancient Russia, intended to guard key buildings such as cathedrals and government palaces. The Moscow Kremlin is the most famous of all and was included in the UNESCO list in 1990, a symbol of the Russian government, including all the relevant structures such as Saint Basil's Cathedral. An icon among all types of cultural heritage of humanity.
25. The Rice Terraces of the Hani of Honghe (China)
The terraced rice fields of the Hani of Honghe, in Yunnan province, refer to a protected segment of 16,600 hectares of stepped terraces that, thanks to their complex network of canals, guide water from the mountainous areas to the rice cultivation centers where the more than 80 Hani villages cultivate red rice and feed their animal farm systems in harmony for generations. It was considered a World Heritage Site in 2013.
26. Himeji Castle (Japan)
Himeji Castle is an important regional, national, and world cultural heritage of humanity, as well as a frequent setting in fictional films that recount the era of medieval Japan thanks to its special conservation. It is one of the most outstanding tourist spots in Japan, listed in UNESCO since 1993. Its high location on the hill makes it an imposing monument of respect visible from almost the entire city of Himeji.
27. Golestan Palace (Iran)
The Golestan Palace is located in the capital of Iran and is a group of joint buildings that converge in a citadel-palace of great antiquity and historical value. Its construction began in 1524 and it was coined as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2013. The large number of artistic remains in its architecture perfectly reveal all the cultural and social reforms that the former residence of the Persian royalty has undergone.
28. Rajasthan Hill Forts (India)
The 6 Hill Forts of Rajasthan are majestic defensive buildings that stand tall on the heights of this Indian state. Inside its walls, a large part of its civil and religious buildings are still preserved intact, ranging from commercial districts to temples that are still considered sacred today, all testimonies of the power of the princely states that once ruled the territory.
Africa
The African continent is the holder of several of the most impressive cultural and natural heritages in the world within the UNESCO list. This sprawling exotic territory is the destination of choice for the most daring explorers and an endless mine of wonders beyond even the imagination. Here are some examples of cultural heritage in Africa:
29. Giza Necropolis (Egypt)
The Giza Necropolis rises imposingly on the horizon of the Egyptian desert. It has been declared a World Heritage Site in 1959 and includes the fields of pyramids and much of the extensions of the necropolis of Memphis, capital of the ancient Empire. It consists of a large extension of land of archaeological interest, usually designated as a monumental cemetery and a resting place for souls. Another great demonstration that helps to understand what the heritage of humanity is.
30. Twyfelfontein (Namibia)
Also known as Ui-aes, it is an archaeological site of great importance, where traces of civilization dating back more than 2,000 years have been found. It is also one of the areas with the highest concentration of cave figures in all of Africa. It has been declared a cultural heritage of humanity in 2007.
31. Historic center of Agades (Niger)
Agades or Agadez is a city located in the Sahara desert, also known as the door of the desert. Famous for hosting the Sultanate of Aïr. The historic center of Agadés is still preserved in very good condition and represents one of the areas with the greatest accumulation of earthen buildings with religious or historical value in the world. It was recognized by UNESCO in 2013 as a cultural heritage of humanity.
32. Zanzibar Stone Town (Tanzania)
The stone city of Zanzibar represents the historic center of the city of the same name, located on the coast of East Africa. The preservation of this area is unique and houses a completely exotic urban center, with buildings that highlight the cultural mixtures that it has witnessed over the years. It was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
33. Ancient cities of Djenné (Mali)
The ancient cities of Djenné today have about 2,000 traditional houses that have stood the test of time since they were inhabited 250 years BC Recognized for being one of the main centers of emancipation from Islam during the fifteenth century and a key part of the transport route and commercialization of gold in the Sahara. It was recognized on the UNESCO list in 1988.
34. Archaeological site of Carthage (Tunisia)
The ruins of the once mighty city of Carthage, founded in the 9th century BC, still bear traces of its illustrious civilization. Ancient Carthage represented a dominant trading power in the Mediterranean until a direct conflict with Rome ended up destroying it in 146 BC where a new Roman city arose. It was one of the first world heritage sites of its kind recognized by UNESCO in 1979.
Oceania
The oceanic continent, especially Australia, possesses vast reserves of both cultural and natural heritage capable of leaving nationals and foreigners alike breathless with wonder and amazement. Each and every one of these destinations represents an essential trip for any collector. Here are some good examples of natural-cultural heritage in Oceania:
35. Sydney Opera House (Australia)
The Sydney Opera House is a challenging piece of architecture, a symbol of 20th century human ingenuity from a creative and structural point of view. This significant structure is home to world-renowned shows such as performances by the Australian Opera and the Sydney Theatre. The monument, of great tourist attraction, was listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2007.
36. Historic Port City Levuka, Fiji
Levuka was the first capital of Fiji that was born from a territory ceded to the British in 1874 around which an entire modern commercial site worthy of the 19th century was built with shopping centers, churches, warehouses and the first port in the area. This small city, a center of exchange between the Americans and the British, grew little by little thanks to the fusion of the surrounding indigenous tribes, becoming an immortal witness to the integration of the nations in the Pacific. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2013.
37. Heritage of Chief Roi Mata (Vanuatu)
The Legacy of Chief Roi Mata refers to three locations that are closely related to whoever was the last Roi Mata (King Mata). It was discovered by a French archaeologist who owed his finding to a detailed study of the oral tradition of the area, which led him to discover the ancient sites (1600 years AD) in 1967. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008 for being a symbol of the union between oral tradition and archaeology, leaving the question open: how many world heritage sites are there yet to be discovered out there?
38. Nan Madol (Federated States of Micronesia)
Nan Madol refers to a series of artificial islands found in the Federated States of Micronesia, former capital of the Saudeleur dynasty and current archaeological center, which keeps, to this day, an incredible accuracy between its oral tradition and the unearthed findings. The islands are linked by a series of canals that earned it the title of “The Venice of the Pacific”. It was included in the UNESCO list in 2016.
39. Carlton Royal Exhibition Center and Gardens (Australia)
The magnificent Royal Exhibition Hall, surrounded by Carlton Gardens, are both world heritage sites designed by Joseph Reed. They were conceived to host one of the largest international exhibitions capable of evidencing the moral and material progress of the human being. Interestingly, architectural touches from multiple cultures were also included in its construction, recounting in its aesthetics the very meaning of its conception. It was included in the World Heritage List in 2004.
40. Ayutthaya Historical Park (Thailand)
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, now a historical park, was the mighty capital city of the Ayutthaya empire before it was completely destroyed in 1569 by Burma. The park is currently home to great world heritage monuments, remains of sacred temples and other symbolic buildings such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Thammikarat Temple and the Floating Market that made it a place on the UNESCO list in 1991.
The world's cultural heritages are jewels that have survived the passage of time or that represent the different human cultures that, in one way or another, left a significant mark on history. The title of World Heritage Sites not only reminds us of the wonders of the planet but also of our inalienable duty to preserve them, nurture ourselves with their influence and learn about all that these monuments or heritage sites of humanity have to say.
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