Las Médulas

In the 1st century A.D. the Roman Imperial authorities began to exploit the gold deposits of this region in north-west Spain, using a technique based on hydraulic power. After two centuries of working the deposits, the Romans withdrew, leaving a devastated landscape. Since there was no subsequent industrial activity, the dramatic traces of this remarkable ancient technology are visible everywhere as sheer faces in the mountainsides and the vast areas of tailings, now used for agriculture.

 Spain

Province of Léon, Autonomous Community of Castile-Leon

N42 28 9.804 W6 46 14.7

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)

Property : 2,208.2 ha

Ref: 803

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Historic Centre of São Luís

The late 17th-century core of this historic town, founded by the French and occupied by the Dutch before coming under Portuguese rule, has preserved the original rectangular street plan in its entirety. Thanks to a period of economic stagnation in the early 20th century, an exceptional number of fine historic buildings have survived, making this an outstanding example of an Iberian colonial town.

 Brazil

Maranhão State, Brasil’s North-East Region

S2 30 51 W44 18 9

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)

Property : 66.65 ha

Ref: 821

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)

The Ligurian coast between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value. The layout and disposition of the small towns and the shaping of the surrounding landscape, overcoming the disadvantages of a steep, uneven terrain, encapsulate the continuous history of human settlement in this region over the past millennium.

 Italy

Province of La Spezia, Liguria Region

N44 6 24.984 E9 43 45.012

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(v)

Property : 4,689.25 ha

Ref: 826

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá

Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá

Founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedrarías Dávila, Panamá Viejo is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It was laid out on a rectilinear grid and marks the transference from Europe of the idea of a planned town. Abandoned in the mid-17th century, it was replaced by a ‘new town’ (the ‘Historic District’), which has also preserved its original street plan, its architecture and an unusual mixture of Spanish, French and early American styles. The Salón Bolívar was the venue for the unsuccessful attempt made by El Libertador in 1826 to establish a multinational continental congress.

Panama

Panama’ Province, Panama’ District

N8 57 4 W79 32 26

Date of Inscription: 1997

Extension: 2003

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)

Property : 57 ha

Ref: 790bis

Source:  http://whc.unesco.org

Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork

Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork

This 13th-century fortified monastery belonging to the Teutonic Order was substantially enlarged and embellished after 1309, when the seat of the Grand Master moved here from Venice. A particularly fine example of a medieval brick castle, it later fell into decay, but was meticulously restored in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the conservation techniques now accepted as standard were evolved here. Following severe damage in the Second World War it was once again restored, using the detailed documentation prepared by earlier conservators.

Poland

City and County of Malbork, Pomeranian Voivodship (formerly Elblag Voivodship)

N54 2 30 E19 1 60

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)

Property : 18 ha

Ref: 847

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin)

Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin)

Tétouan was of particular importance in the Islamic period, from the 8th century onwards, since it served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish. This is well illustrated by its art and architecture, which reveal clear Andalusian influence. Although one of the smallest of the Moroccan medinas, Tétouan is unquestionably the most complete and it has been largely untouched by subsequent outside influences.

 Morocco

Region Nord-Ouest, Wilaya de Tétouan, Province of Tétouan, Medina of Tétouan

N35 34 14.988 W5 22 0.012

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(v)

Property : 6.50 ha 

Ref: 837

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao

 Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao

The people of the Netherlands established a trading settlement at a fine natural harbour on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in 1634. The town developed continuously over the following centuries. The modern town consists of several distinct historic districts whose architecture reflects not only European urban-planning concepts but also styles from the Netherlands and from the Spanish and Portuguese colonial towns with which Willemstad engaged in trade.

Netherlands

Willemstad, Island Territory of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

N12 6 6.984 W68 54 7.992

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(v)

Property : 86 ha

Buffer zone: 87 ha

Ref: 819

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Maritime Greenwich



 

Maritime Greenwich

The ensemble of buildings at Greenwich, an outlying district of London, and the park in which they are set, symbolize English artistic and scientific endeavour in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Queen's House (by Inigo Jones) was the first Palladian building in England, while the complex that was until recently the Royal Naval College was designed by Christopher Wren. The park, laid out on the basis of an original design by André Le Nôtre, contains the Old Royal Observatory, the work of Wren and the scientist Robert Hooke.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

London Borough of Greenwich, England

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)(vi)

Property : 110 ha

Buffer zone: 175 ha

Ref: 795

Source:  http://whc.unesco.org

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Classical Chinese garden design, which seeks to recreate natural landscapes in miniature, is nowhere better illustrated than in the nine gardens in the historic city of Suzhou. They are generally acknowledged to be masterpieces of the genre. Dating from the 11th-19th century, the gardens reflect the profound metaphysical importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture in their meticulous design.

China

Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

N31 19 0 E120 27 0

Date of Inscription: 1997

Extension: 2000

Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)

Property : 12 ha

Buffer zone: 27 ha

Ref: 813bis

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

When Vesuvius erupted on 24 August AD 79, it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum, as well as the many wealthy villas in the area. These have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public since the mid-18th century. The vast expanse of the commercial town of Pompei contrasts with the smaller but better-preserved remains of the holiday resort of Herculaneum, while the superb wall paintings of the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata give a vivid impression of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthier citizens of the Early Roman Empire.

Italy

Province of Naples, Campania

N40 45 0 E14 28 60

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)

Property : 98 ha

Buffer zone: 24 ha

Ref: 829

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Ancient City of Ping Yao

Ping Yao is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city, founded in the 14th century. Its urban fabric shows the evolution of architectural styles and town planning in Imperial China over five centuries. Of special interest are the imposing buildings associated with banking, for which Ping Yao was the major centre for the whole of China in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

China

Ping Yao County, Shan Xi Province

N37 12 5.004 E112 9 15.984

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)

Property : 246 ha

Buffer zone: 96 ha

Ref: 812

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Old Town of Lijiang

Brief Description

The Old Town of Lijiang, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today.

China

Lijiang's old town (including the Dayan old town, Basha housing cluster and Shuhe housing cluster)

N26 52 0.012 E100 13 59.988

Date of Inscription: 1997

Minor modification inscribed year: 2012

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(v)

Property : 146 ha

Buffer zone: 582 ha

Ref: 811bis

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Historic City of Trogir

Trogir is a remarkable example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement dates back to the Hellenistic period and it was embellished by successive rulers with many fine public and domestic buildings and fortifications. Its beautiful Romanesque churches are complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period.

Croatia

County of Split-Dalmatia

N43 30 45 E16 15 6.012

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)

Property : 6.40 ha

Buffer zone: 4.80 ha

Ref: 810

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Changdeokgung Palace Complex

Brief Description

In the early 15th century, the King Taejong ordered the construction of a new palace at an auspicious site. A Bureau of Palace Construction was set up to create the complex, consisting of a number of official and residential buildings set in a garden that was cleverly adapted to the uneven topography of the 58-ha site. The result is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

Korea, Republic of

Seoul

N37 32 60 E126 58 60

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)

Ref: 816

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Medieval Town of Toruń

Thank you:: Marta Barzal for this postcard

Brief Description

Torun owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, which built a castle there in the mid-13th century as a base for the conquest and evangelization of Prussia. It soon developed a commercial role as part of the Hanseatic League. In the Old and New Town, the many imposing public and private buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries (among them the house of Copernicus) are striking evidence of Torun's importance.

Poland

City and County of Toruń, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship

N53 0 36 E18 37 9.984

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)

Property : 48 ha

Buffer zone: 300 ha

Ref: 835

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

 

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne

Brief Description

Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. Carcassonne is also of exceptional importance because of the lengthy restoration campaign undertaken by Viollet-le-Duc, one of the founders of the modern science of conservation.

France

Department of Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon Region

N43 12 38 E2 21 32

Date of Inscription: 1997

Criteria: (ii)(iv)

Property : 11 ha

Buffer zone: 1,358 ha

Ref: 345rev

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout

Brief Description

The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills.

  Netherlands
Municipalities of Alblasserdam and Nieuw-Lekkerland, Province of Zuid-Holland
N51 52 57 E4 38 58
Date of Inscription: 1997
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Ref: 818

Source: http://whc.unesco.org