World Heritage
World Heritage is the official UNESCO publication from the World Heritage Centre featuring in-depth articles on cultural and natural World Heritage sites.
n°106 - July 2024
World Heritage
UNESCO's World Heritage is much more than a List of remarkable sites. It represents the common heritage of humanity – a collection of cultural and natural treasures that transcend borders and generations. These sites tell the ...
n°105 - June 2024
World Heritage
Traditions, ancestral knowledge and ways of life of local communities are essential elements of World Heritage. In the quest to continue safeguarding and promoting cultural and natural treasures of our humanity, UNESCO ...
n°104 - September 2023
World Heritage
The extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee begins in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we express our gratitude to our hosts for convening the first in-person Committee since the onset of COVID-19. Surrounded by old ...
n°103 - November 2022
50th anniversary to the World Heritage Convention
It is a great pleasure for me to share this 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention celebration with you. Over the past five decades, the World Heritage Convention has ...
n°102 - June 2022
The private sector pitches in
World Heritage sites require an enormous number of resources for their protection. Conservation needs are met in different ways by governments, vibrant communities, or donors of many ...
n°101 - January 2022
New World Heritage sites 2020-2021
This year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention: a unique legal instrument that protects both both cultural and natural heritage. Because of this, the ...
n°100 - October 2021
Climate Change
Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and among the greatest threats facing cultural and natural heritage today. One in three natural sites and one in six cultural heritage sites are currently threatened by ...
n°99 - July 2021
Special Issue - World Heritage in China
It is a great pleasure to meet for this extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee to be held from 16 to 31 July 2021 in Fuzhou, China and online. As China is home to a ...
n°98 - April 2021
Monitoring World Heritage from Space
Observing heritage sites from space for the sake of preservation has a long history. In the early 1920s, scientists were already using aerial photographs to map archaeological sites and ...
n°97 - May 2021
People Protecting World Heritage
The World Heritage Convention was created in 1972 – nearly half a century ago – as a legal instrument to protect our most outstanding cultural and natural sites around the world. It has ...
n°96 - December 2020
World Heritage and Biodiversity
We are pleased to bring you this issue on biodiversity and World Heritage sites, focusing on some of the properties most vital to the future of our planet. These articles were prepared ...
n°95 - July 2020
Interpretation and COVID-19
The year 2020 began with an unprecedented health crisis that has affected each one of us, and we still cannot predict its long-term effects. Not only have we been touched in our ...
n°94 - January 2020
New World Heritage sites 2019
The 1972 World Heritage Convention is truly unique. It is the only legal instrument conceived to protect both cultural and natural heritage, based on the principle of Outstanding ...
n°93 - November 2019
The Silk Roads
The Silk Roads encompass some of the most complex and fascinating systems in the history of world civilizations. A shifting network of roads and pathways for trade that evolved over centuries, it enabled the exchange of cargo ...
n°92 - July 2019
Special Issue - World Heritage in Azerbaijan
I am particularly pleased that the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. We are very grateful to our generous hosts for organizing this session ...
n°91 - May 2019
Walled cities
Historic urban walls were once used for division and protection, and remain a legacy of the complex relations between people and their environment. Today, they represent a fascinating aspect of cultural heritage management. ...
n°90 - January 2019
World Heritage Success Stories
The World Heritage Convention is a legal tool. In adhering to it, countries commit to protect heritage within their borders and to refrain from any deliberate measures that might damage ...
n°89 - October 2018
World Heritage and Wetlands
Wetlands are an essential, but often overlooked, aspect of our natural environment. They are vital sources of biodiversity and take many different forms – from lakes, rivers and swamps, ...
n°88 - June 2018
Special Issue - World Heritage in Bahrain
This year, for its 42nd session, the World Heritage Committee is hosted by Bahrain in its capital city of Manama. Bahrain has long dedicated its support to the World Heritage ...
n°87 - April 2018
World Heritage and illicit trade
The illicit trafficking of cultural objects depletes cultures of their identity and contributes to lucrative unlawful trade, which helps to finance terrorism and organized crime. It is ...
n°86 - January 2018
World Heritage and Reconstruction
While conflicts continue to inflict damage – much of it intentional – on heritage sites, reconstruction becomes a critical topic for discussion. The recovery, rehabilitation and ...
n°85 - October 2017
World Heritage and Modern Heritage
Modern heritage – the architecture, town planning and landscape design of the modern era, or the last two hundred years or so – is still underrepresented on the World Heritage List. And ...
n°84 - July 2017
Special Issue - World Heritage in Poland
This year, the World Heritage Committee will meet for its 41st session in the World Heritage site of the Historic Centre of Kraków. We are very pleased to be hosted by Poland, an early ...
n°83 - April 2017
Museums and visitor centres
Thousands of museums are located in and around World Heritage sites. Site museums preserve the integrity of the sites through conservation efforts, but also enhance interpretation and ...
n°82 - December 2016
African Heritage and its sustainable development
In this issue we are pleased to focus on the heritage of Africa and its sustainable development. The diversity and wealth of African heritage is extraordinary, from its large-scale ...
n°81 - September 2016
World Heritage and Urban Heritage
Cities are among the most quickly evolving environments on the planet. Over half of the world’s population lives in cities today, and knowing how to manage these urban areas as they ...
n°80 - July 2016
World Heritage in Turkey
The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee is taking place in Istanbul from 10 to 20 July 2016, and we are extremely grateful to Turkey for generously hosting this session. Turkey is a country at the crossroads between ...
n°79 - April 2016
Planet at the Crossroads
From 1 to 10 September 2016, thousands of leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business and academia will gather together in Honolulu (Hawaii) to share ideas on how to improve the ...
n°78 - February 2016
World Heritage and gender equality
It is increasingly recognized that culture has an essential role to play as a driver of sustainable development, contributing to the eradication of poverty and enhancing social ...
n°77 - October 2015
Climate Change
The network of World Heritage properties was inter alia intended to ensure the proper preservation of the natural and cultural values of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. Today, as the planet finds itself confronted ...
n°76 - June 2015
World Heritage in Germany
The annual session of the World Heritage Committee is a crucial period for the Convention, and we are grateful to Germany for hosting us this year. The 39th session of the Committee is taking place as we celebrate the 70th ...
n°76.5 - June 2015
Special Issue on Iraq
Cultural World Heritage sites are representative of the creativity and genius of humanity. While World Heritage belongs to everyone, and we share the responsibility to protect it, each site embodies the history, values, ...
n°75 - April 2015
Culture - Nature Links
This special issue of World Heritage is about interlinkages between nature and culture. One of the defining characteristics of the World Heritage Convention is that the governance of both natural and cultural values of ...
n°74 - January 2015
World Heritage: Fostering resilience
Table of contents In focus Fostering resilience: Towards reducing disaster risks to World Heritage, p. 4World Heritage sites are exposed to a wide variety of natural and human-induced ...
n°73 - November 2014
World Heritage and our protected planet
The IUCN World Parks Congress meets every ten years, and its November 2014 meeting may prove to be a turning point for protected areas in offering and implementing solutions for the ...
n°72 - June 2014
Special Issue - World Heritage in Qatar
Each year, the special issue of World Heritage coinciding with the annual World Heritage Committee session gives us the opportunity to focus on the heritage of a particular country or ...
n°71 - April 2014
World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism
The World Heritage Convention arose from the need to identify and protect outstanding natural and cultural sites for future generations. Over time, the effectiveness of the Convention ...
n°70 - December 2013
Synergies to Protect Sites
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed that the conservation of biodiversity was one of the cornerstones of sustainable development. They acknowledged that the world was facing an unprecedented wave ...
n°69 - October 2013
World Heritage agricultural landscapes
Agricultural landscapes are a testimony to humanity’s long interaction with the land, often unique examples of people and nature coexisting and influencing each other. They demonstrate ...
n°68 - June 2013
World Heritage in Cambodia
The 37th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held from 16 to 27 June 2013 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This issue explores in the depth the sites of Angkor, one of the most important archaeological sites in ...
n°67 - April 2013
World Heritage and Best Practices
Table of Contents In Focus World Heritage: cooperation, communication and capacity buildingThe inscription of a site can result in specific preservation challenges, making skilled ...
n°66 - February 2013
Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are islands of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The UNESCO World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing ...
n°65 - October 2012
Sustainable Development
The issues of World Heritage published during 2012 have largely been devoted to commemorating the adoption of the World Heritage Convention forty years ago, in 1972. This has not been a self-congratulatory exercise but rather ...
n°64 - June 2012
World Heritage in the Russian Federation
We are happy to publish this special issue dedicated to the World Heritage sites of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, ...
n°63 - May 2012
World Heritage and outstanding natural beauty
Table of contents Scenic natural beauty How can it be judged? The sites inscribed under criterion vii, known commonly as having the “wow” effect, are more than just stunning ...
n°62 - February 2012
World Heritage and Indigenous Peoples
This edition of World Heritage is devoted to the enduring relationship between a number of World Heritage sites and the indigenous peoples that inhabit them. For historical, cultural ...
n°61 - October 2011
World Heritage Forests
Forests, like mountains and oceans, play a critical role in the balance of world climate (as well as in vital carbon capture and retention) and thus in the survival of our species, hence the United Nations’ decision to ...
n°60 - June 2011
World Heritage in the Gulf Region
This special issue is devoted entirely to World Heritage sites belonging to members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. It thus offers a unique opportunity to ...
n°59 - March 2011
Living with Water
Water: its role in human evolution. World Heritage sites offer a wide spectrum of water elements, from glorious water gardens to spectacular aqueducts, grand transport canals to ingenious water mills. This display of human ...
n°58 - November 2010
Part threat, part hope The challenge of tourism
What are the benefits of World Heritage List inscription? When it brings higher visibility and increased tourism to a site, how can the site still be protected? Issue 58 of our ...
n°57 - July 2010
World Heritage in Brazil
Initially protected by the broadest expanses of virtually impenetrable tropical rainforest on Earth, Brazil still takes prides in a stunning variety of species found nowhere else. With giant snakes such as the anaconda, ...
n°56 - June 2010
World Heritage Review n°56 Biodiversity
There was a time when the world appeared boundless and inexhaustible. We are just beginning to realize that it is both limited and surprisingly vulnerable. It follows that if we are to ...
n°55 - March 2010
World Heritage Cities
Table of Contents In Focus Revising the approach to urban conservation The capacity of historic cities to accommodate and benefit from the radical and rapid changes that accompany urban growth while maintaining heritage ...
n°54 - October 2009
Astronomy and World Heritage
Table of Contents Astronomy and World Heritage Astronomical heritage, or cultural heritage relating to the sky, recognizes the relationships between humanity and the cosmos. From the ...
n°53 - June 2009
World Heritage in Spain
Spain, with its long, complex history and the global character of its territorial and cultural extension, remains marked by a striking diversity of historical influences and regional differences, and it justifiably prides ...
n°52 - May 2009
Earth heritage : A common past… and future
This issue of World Heritage is devoted to a number of truly extraordinary World Heritage sites that allow a better understanding of the history of the Earth and the formation of ...
n°51 - December 2008
World Heritage n°51
The greater part of this issue is devoted to the reinstallation of the great stele of Aksum in Ethiopia, an exploit that ranks alongside such major UNESCO achievements as the safeguarding and restoration of the temples of Abu ...
n°50 - June 2008
Special Issue: Canadian World Heritage
The 14 World Heritage sites of Canada presented in this issue offer a fascinating pattern. Indeed, they reflect key aspects of the evolution of the very concept of World Heritage over ...
n°49 - April 2008
World Heritage and Biodiversity
A number of World Heritage routes have played a significant part in the history of the five continents – and the way we focus on them in this issue illustrates how far our ...
n°48 - January 2008
Earthen Architecture
At some time during the past one hundred years or so, the great, multimillennial tradition of earthen architecture, which even today is a dominant technique in every world civilization, fell victim to the Modern Ideal. Being ...
n°47 - October 2007
World Heritage n°47
In Focus New World Heritage sites 2007 Twenty-two sites were added to the World Heritage List during the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee held in Christchurch, New Zealand, bringing the total of inscribed ...
n°46 - June 2007
World Heritage n°46 Special issue: World Heritage in New Zealand
Special issue on World Heritage sites in New Zealand, at the occasion of the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee held from 23 June to 2 July in ...
n°45 - March 2007
World Heritage n°45
In Focus Exploring the Spice Route The Spice Route linked the Mediterranean basin to the Far East for over 2,500 years. (p.6) Trade Routes of the Desert A journey across the desert trails of the empires of antiquity. ...
n°44 - November 2006
World Heritage Review n°44
This quarterly magazine in English, French and Spanish features in-depth articles on World Heritage sites around the world and superb photographs, as well as the latest news in preservation. Table of Contents In ...
n°43 - July 2006
Special issue: World Heritage in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Special issue on World Heritage sites in the Baltic region, at the occasion of the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee held from July 8-16 in ...
n°42 - June 2006
Climate change
Discover the new look of World Heritage, our quarterly magazine in English, French and Spanish featuring in-depth articles on World Heritage sites around the world and superb photographs, as well as the latest news in ...
n°41 - October 2005
World Heritage Review n°41
New World Heritage Sites CITY OF BATH, A Masterpiece of Town Planning THE KII MOUNTAINS, Harmony between Spirit and Nature LEPTIS MAGNA, Imperial City in Africa PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK, A Geological Wonder
n°40 - July 2005
Special Issue - South Africa
Special Issue - South Africa Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, Protecting 'the Roof of Africa' World Heritage on the ...
n°39 - March 2005
World Heritage Review n°39
The Silk Road: the longest trade route in human history Central Sikhote-Alin: a natural site in the Russian Federation and a refuge for many endangered species The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga: an important centre of worship ...
n°38 - December 2004
World Heritage Review n°38
Dubrovnick Restored Spectacular Yosemite Valparaiso, a Window on the Pacific The Frankincense Trail
n°37 - September 2004
World Heritage Review n°37
Saving natural sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo World Heritage Focus: partnerships for conservation The outstanding architecture of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Kazakhstan The Guanacaste Conservation ...
n°36 - June 2004
World Heritage Review n°36
Special issue China Imperial Sites and Gardens Natural Wonders Mastery of Water Footprints of Faith Discovering Ancient Cities
n°35 - April 2004
World Heritage Review n°35
Quebrada de Humahuaca. A Link through the Andes Vineyards. How Wine-growing Shaped the Landscape Djenné. Sumptuous Earthen Architecture Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland Persepolis. Capital of an Empire
n°34 - January 2004
World Heritage Review n°34
Protecting The Amazon Úbeda and Baeza, Renaissance Towns Ancient Ksour of Mauritania Kew Gardens, Treasure House of Botany My Son, Destruction and Rebirth
n°33 - October 2003
World Heritage Review n°33
Life of the Buddha in World Heritage New Sites on the World Heritage List Belize Coral Reef Cinque Terre Mesa Verde National Park
n°32 - August 2003
World Heritage Review n°32
Goias: a Jewel on Brazil's Rio Vermelho Mount Kenya National Park Kasbah of Algiers: a Demanding Restoration Rhodes: the City of Knights
n°31 - June 2003
World Heritage Review n°31
Borobudur, The Glory of Buddhist Art Baku, City on the Silk Road Robben Island, a Monument to Courage Redwood park, Mother Nature's Cathedral
n°30 - April 2003
World Heritage Review n°30
Three Centuries of Saint Petersburg The Smoke that Thunders Victoria Falls Wooden Buildings of Ancient Nara Living with a Volcano Antigua Guatemala Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí
n°29 - March 2003
World Heritage Review n°29
Minaret of Jam Cuzco Centre of the Andean World Lamu Coral garden of the Swahili East Rennell a Pacific gem Paramaribo
n°28 - January 2003
World Heritage Review n°28
Industrial Heritage in the United Kingdom Kairouan a Muslim Holy City Rainforest Sites on the Australian Continental Plateau Kazan and its Tatar Kremlin Monte Alban Mexico's first city
n°27 - December 2002
World Heritage Review n°27
The Slave Route New World Heritage Sites Quseir Amra and its fresco paintings Gunung Mulu National Park Jesuit Missions of Córdoba Old City of Acre
n°26 - July 2002
World Heritage Review n°26
The Renewal of Venice The Loire Valley a river with a human touch Quebec a New World Fortress The Seychelles a Tale of Two Edens Modern Cairo and its Islamic Heritage
n°25 - May 2002
World Heritage Review n°25
Modern Architecture Zanzibar Stone Town Ichkeul a wetland in search of water Trinidad de Cuba The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
n°24 - March 2002
World Heritage Review n°24
New World Heritage Sites Ancient Merv Queen of cities Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Arequipa a white city of volcanic stone
n°23 - January 2002
World Heritage Review n°23
Sacred Mountains of the World Heritage Saint-Louis in Senegal a historical capital Tiwanaku on the shores of Lake Titicaca Morne Trois Pitons Ecotourism in the Caribbean Old Town Lunenburg colourful and traditional And ...
n°22 - November 2001
World Heritage Review n°22
Doñana, the Great Lady of European Nature The Alps and the Himalayas by Railway Bardejov, A Medieval Town to Discover Dazu, of the Ten Thousand Buddhas And also... World Heritage in Danger What is ICCROM? ...
n°21 - September 2001
World Heritage Review n°21
Baroque Architecture in Latin America Tsingy de Bemaraha Saint-Emilion Megalithic Temples of Malta Shrines and Temples of Nikko And also... World Heritage in Danger What is ICCROM? News
n°20 - May 2001
World Heritage Review n°20
The Destruction of Bamyan The Netherlands Keeping Water at Bay Tres Serols Mont Perdu The Qadisha Valley Heritage Reclaimed The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park And also... Interview World Heritage in ...
n°19 - March 2001
World Heritage Review n°19
World Heritage Rock Art Sites Maidan Imam, Isfahan Verla Groundwood and Board Mill Ha Long Bay Kilwa Kisiwani And also... Working together for Heritage (ICOMOS) World Heritage in Danger News
n°18 - January 2001
World Heritage Review n°18
Budapest New World Heritage Sites Rapa Nui Vilnius St Kilda And also... News World Heritage in Danger
n°17 - November 2000
World Heritage Review n°17
The Great Barrier Reef Potosi Asante Traditional Buildings Hué I Sassi di Matera And also... Flemish Béguinages News
n°16 - September 2000
World Heritage Review n°16
Luang Prabang Roman Art in Africa The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Skogskyrkogarden Painted Churches of Moldavia And also... News Uxmal, historical and cultural legacy of the Mayas
n°15 - August 2000
World Heritage Review n°15
Paris, the Banks of the Seine Ch'Angdokkung Palace The Valdés Peninsula The Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar And also... Interview with the UNESCO Director-General News Historic Town of Tallinn
n°14 - June 2000
World Heritage Review n°14
Baalbek Prague Valley of the Boyne Colonia del Sacramento Ujung-Kulon / Krakatau And also... New World Heritages Sites News
n°13 - April 2000
World Heritage Review n°13
Classical Gardens of Suzhou Timbuktu Biosphere Reserves Monastery of Guadalupe Sub-Antarctic Islands And also... Virtual Reality News
n°12 - February 2000
World Heritage Review n°12
Romanesque Art in the World Heritage The Solovetsky Islands Old City of Galle Tikal, the Centre of the Mayan World Saint Gall Convent And also... Dja Faunal Reserve News
n°11 - December 1999
World Heritage Review n°11
Machu Picchu Strasbourg Itchan Kala Garajonay National Park Tongariro National Park And also... Royal Palace of Abomey News
n°10 - October 1999
World Heritage Review n°10
Istanbul Malbork Castle Dougga-Thugga Serra da Capivara Temple of the Sun in Konârak And also... New World Heritage Sites Senegal's World Heritage News
n°8 - November 1998
World Heritage Review n°8
Mont Saint-Michel The History of Life La Amistad The Haeinsa Temple Desert Cities And also... Sintra Guatemala's World Heritage News
n°7 - January 1998
World Heritage Review n°7
Pompeii and Herculaneum The Moghal Gardens Lake Baikal Las Médulas Querétaro And also... Site of Greenwich Interview with Prof. Francesco Francioni Panama's World Heritage News
n°6 - December 1997
World Heritage Review n°6
Salzburg The Iguazu / Iguaçu Falls Islands: Living Laboratories Island of Mozambique The Lapponian Area And also... An Interview with Antonio Bassolino New World Heritage Sites Photo prize winners News
n°5 - September 1997
World Heritage Review n°5
A trek to Sagarmatha Old City of Havana Coral Reefs The Canal du Midi Yellowstone National Park And also... An Interview with Christophe Charpentier Secrets of the Sea World Heritage and Tourism News Have ...
n°4 - July 1997
World Heritage Review n°4
Holy Sites in India Galapagos Islands Tropical Rain Forests Mount Athos Lalibela And also... Interview with Galo Leoro Franco New World Heritage Sites The World Heritage Convention in Action News
n°3 - June 1997
World Heritage Review n°3
Brasilia Mana-Pools Bergen and the Hanseatic Towns The Volcanoes on the World Heritage List Sana'a And also... Interview with leoh Ming Pei and Jean Lebrat News Cities for small planet
n°2 - December 1996
World Heritage Review n°2
Manu National Park The Medina of Marrakech High Mountain Areas Industry and the World Heritage Borobudur And also... Interview with Ismail Serageldin Cultural Landscapes News