24 June, 2021

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town

country. Palestine (Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank)
year of inscription. 2017
criteria. Cultural
The Old Town of Hebron is located in the city of Hebron in the governorate of the same name. Its construction during the Mamluk period between 1250CE and 1517CE is characterised by the use of a local limestone. Central to this WHS is the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque or Tomb of the Patriarchs, which is a compound built in the 1st century CE to protect the tombs of the patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim) and his family. The town was at the crossroads of trade routes in the region, and is also important pilgrimage site for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is also marked with an urban morphology based on ethnic, religious, and professional groupings as well as houses with rooms organised in a tree-shaped system.

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

country. Palestine (Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank)
year of inscription. 2012
criteria. Cultural
This WHS is located in the governorate of Bethlehem, on the site which, since the 2nd century CE, has been traditionally regarded by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. A church was originally constructed there in 339CE, and after a fire, a replacement building was erected in the 6th century CE, incorporating the original’s floor mosaics. With the addition of other buildings in later years, the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem today is a complex of ecclesiastical and other buildings. The church is at the eastern end of a traditional pilgrimage route beginning from Jerusalem, and the part of the route included in this WHS begins from the traditional entrance of Bethlehem.

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls

country. Listed by UNESCO as "Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)"
year of inscription. 1981
criteria. Cultural
The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls is a 0.9km2 walled area in East Jerusalem, in the city of Jerusalem. It is a holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and contain 220 historic monuments, including places of worship and sacred sites of the three religions. The current city walls were built by Sultan Suleiman I (1494CE – 1566CE) of the Ottoman Empire, and includes city gates built before, along with, and after the construction of the current walls.

The political status of the WHS (and the part of Jerusalem – East Jerusalem – it is located in) remains in dispute. Under the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine (1947), Jerusalem was to be an international city. However, after Arab-Israeli War I (1948), the city was occupied by and divided between Israel and Jordan, with the former controlling the western parts of the city and the latter, the eastern portion, which came to be known as East Jerusalem. In 1967, following Arab-Israeli War III (1967), East Jerusalem was taken over by Israel and eventually incorporated into the rest of Jerusalem, a move largely opposed by the international community. The United Nations regards East Jerusalem as part of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, while Palestinian authorities consider it to be the capital of a future independent Palestine.

On the UNESCO WHS website, the space for listing the State Party for the WHS is listed as “Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)” and location is “Jerusalem District”; this is the name of the Israeli administrative division including East Jerusalem, which the Palestinian National Authority includes as part of its governorate of Jerusalem.

19 June, 2021

Baroque Churches of the Philippines

country. Philippines
year of inscription. 1993
criteria. Cultural
This WHS is composed of four churches across the Philippines. They were built by the Spanish between 16th and 18th century CE. The architectural style is a reinterpretation of the European Baroque by Philippine and Chinese craftsmen, with a consideration of local physical conditions and materials as well as decorative motifs. These churches would serve as important influences on later churches built in the region.

The four churches are:
  • Miagao Church, province of Iloilo
  • Paoay Church, province of Ilocos Norte
  • San Augustin Church, city of Manila in the National Capital Region
  • Santa Maria Church, province of Ilocos Sur


09 June, 2021

Historic City of Trogir

country. Croatia
year of inscription. 1997
criteria. Cultural
Trogir is located in the county of Split-Dalmatia. Its origins can be traced back to the Hellenistic period. Over the years, successive rulers have added to the array of buildings and monuments, built in the Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles.

Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian

country. Croatia
year of inscription. 1979
criteria. Cultural
This WHS, situated in the county of Split-Dalmatia, comprises of an assemblage of old buildings and structures, including a cathedral and churches, fortifications, and palaces in the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Arguably, the centerpiece is the Palace of Diocletian. The palace was constructed at the turn of the 4th century CE for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, consisting of his personal residence and military barracks. Today, Diocletian’s Palace is the most complete remains of a Roman palace in the world.

08 June, 2021

Heard and McDonald Islands

country. Australia
year of inscription. 1997
criteria. Natural
Heard Island and McDonald Islands is an external territory of Australia. These sub-antarctic islands are volcanically active, providing an opportunity to study geomorphic and glacial dynamics. Its remoteness has given rise to a rare pristine island ecosystem, with complete absence of alien plants and animals as well as human impact.

07 June, 2021

Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice

country. Iceland
year of inscription. 2019
criteria. Natural
Vatnajökull National Park, which spreads across the Northeastern, Eastern, and Southern Regions, is home to ten volcanoes, eight of which are subglacial and two of which are amongst the most active in Iceland. The interaction between volcanic activity (“fire”) and the overlying Vatnajökull ice cap (“ice”) has resulted in the distinct dynamic geologic landscapes. This WHS showcases the dramatic interplay of magma and lithosphere with the cryosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

01 June, 2021

Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey

country. Germany
year of inscription. 2014
criteria. Cultural
This WHS is located in North Rhine-Westphalia state, along the banks of the Weser River. Originally erected in 822CE – 885CE, the West work is the only original structure that remains while the original imperial abbey complex is preserved as archaeological remains. The Westwork of Corvey is testament to the architectural form of the Frankish Carolingian Empire.

Grand Canyon National Park

PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION country.  Japan year of inscription.  2018 criteria.  Cultural