India: Dholavira: a Harappan City

The ancient city of Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, is sited on the arid island of Khadir in the State of Gujarat. Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. Two seasonal streams provided water, a scarce resource in the region, to the walled city which comprises a heavily fortified castle and ceremonial ground as well as streets and houses of different proportion quality which testify to a stratified social order. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment. The site includes a large cemetery with cenotaphs of six types testifying to the Harappan’s unique view of death. Bead processing workshops and artifacts of various kinds such as copper, shell, stone, jewellery of semi-precious stones, terracotta, gold, ivory and other materials have been found during archaeological excavations of the site, exhibiting the culture’s artistic and technological achievements. Evidence for inter-regional trade with other Harappan cities, as well as with cities in the Mesopotamia region and the Oman peninsula have also been discovered. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2021

 Thanks to Mr Amog.

Russia: Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake

Located in Kenozero National Park in the north-western area of the European region of the Russian Federation, the property depicts the local cultural landscape that evolved here from the 12th century, following the gradual Slavic colonization. It incorporates a number of traditional rural settlements with vernacular wooden architecture and reflects the communal management of agriculture and nature that developed when the indigenous Finno-Ugric forest culture merged with the traditional Slavic field culture. Wooden churches and other religious buildings, originally decorated with painted ceilings, or “heavens”, are the key social, cultural, and visual landmarks of the area. Their spatial organization, together with sacred sites and symbols, highlight the residents’ spiritual connection with this environment. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2024

 Thanks to Ms Arina.

Rwanda: Nyungwe National Park

This serial property represents an important area for rainforest conservation in Central Africa. The property is home to intact forests and peat bogs, moors, thickets and grasslands, providing habitats to a highly diverse flora and fauna. The Park also contains the most significant natural habitats for a number of species found nowhere else in the world, including the globally threatened Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis ssp. kandti) and the Critically Endangered Hills Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hillorum). There are also 12 mammal and seven bird species that are globally threatened, and with 317 species of birds recorded, Nyungwe National Park is one of the most important sites for bird conservation in Africa. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2023

Thanks to Ms Karolyn of USA, who was visiting Rwanda.

China: Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes

Located in the Alashan Plateau in the hyper-arid and temperate desert region of northwestern China, the Badain Jaran Desert is a meeting point for three sandy regions of China and is the country’s third largest desert and second largest drifting desert. The property stands out with its high density of mega-dunes, intersected with inter-dunal lakes. It displays spectacular ongoing geological and geomorphic features of desert landscapes and landforms which may well be unparalleled. Noteworthy features, among others, include the world’s tallest, stabilized sand mega-dune (relative relief of 460 m); the highest concentration of inter-dunal lakes; and the largest expanse of so-called singing sands (describing the resonance caused for example by wind moving dry and loose sand) and wind-eroded landforms. The varied landscape also results in a high level of habitat diversity, and hence of biodiversity. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2024

 Thanks to Ms Qian. 

Russia: Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea

The site contains 4,500 petroglyphs carved in the rocks during the Neolithic period dated about 6-7 thousand years ago and located in the Republic of Karelia in the Russian Federation. It is one of the largest such sites in Europe with petroglyphs that document Neolithic culture in Fennoscandia. The serial property encompasses 33 rock art panels in two component parts 300km apart: 22 petroglyph groups at Lake Onega in the District of Pudozhsky featuring a total of over 1,200 figures and 3,411 figures in 11 groups by the White Sea in the District of Belomorsky. The rock art figures at Lake Onega mostly represents birds, animals, half human and half animal figures as well as geometric shapes that may be symbols of the moon and the sun. The petroglyphs of the White Sea are mostly composed of carvings depicting hunting and sailing scenes including their related equipment as well as animal and human footprints. They show significant artistic qualities and testify to the creativity of the Stone Age. The petroglyphs are associated with sites including settlements and burial grounds. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2021

Thanks to Ms Anna of Russia.

Germany: Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment)

It covers almost 600km of the whole Roman Empire’s Danube frontier. The property formed part of the much large frontier of the Roman Empire that encircled the Mediterranean Sea. The Danube Limes (Western Segment) reflects the specificities of this part of the Roman Frontier through the selection of sites that represent key elements from roads, legionary fortresses and their associated settlements to small forts and temporary camps, and the way these structures relate to local topography. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2021 Extn 2024

Thanks to Mr Marcel. The card shows Northern gate of the Roman legionary camp "Casta Regina", built 179 A.D.
 

Germany: Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt

Located in the medieval historic centre of Erfurt, the capital city of Thuringia, the property comprises three monuments: the Old Synagogue, the Mikveh, and the Stone House. They illustrate the life of the local Jewish community and its coexistence with a Christian majority in Central Europe during the Middle Ages, between the end of the 11th and the mid-14th century. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed :2023

 Thanks to Mr Marcel

United Kingdom: Blaenavon Industrial Landscape

The area around Blaenavon is evidence of the pre-eminence of South Wales as the world's major producer of iron and coal in the 19th century. All the necessary elements can still be seen - coal and ore mines, quarries, a primitive railway system, furnaces, workers' homes, and the social infrastructure of their community. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2000

Thanks to Ms Tiara
 

Romania: Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains

Built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule, these fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works, the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom, were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 1999

Postcard 1: Luncani-Piatra Rosie (Red Stone)

Thanks to Tatiana Stan

Postcard 2

Thanks to Ms Daniel.

Belgium: Belfries of Belgium and France

Twenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed as a group, an extension to the 32 Belgian belfries inscribed in 1999 as Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia. Built between the 11th and 17th centuries, they showcase the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture. They are highly significant tokens of the winning of civil liberties. While Italian, German and English towns mainly opted to build town halls, in part of north-western Europe, greater emphasis was placed on building belfries. Compared with the keep (symbol of the seigneurs) and the bell-tower (symbol of the Church), the belfry, the third tower in the urban landscape, symbolizes the power of the aldermen. Over the centuries, they came to represent the influence and wealth of the towns. Source: whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 1999 Ext:2005

List of Belfries: 

BELGIUM

A) FLANDERS

Antwerp

- Antwerp Cathedral of Our Lady-Received

- Antwerp City Hall

- Herentals Former City & 'Laken'(Cloth) Hall

- Lier City Hall and Belfry tower

- Mechelen St. Rumbolds Tower of the cathedral- Received

- Mechelen Old Cloth Hall with Belfry, oldest part of the present-day City Hall

West Flanders

- Bruges Belfry known as Halletoren (Tower of the Halls) and [Market] Halls- Received

- Diksmuide City Hall and Belfry

- Kortrijk Belfry known as Halletoren (Tower of the Hall) 

- Lo-Reninge (Lo) Former City Hall with Belfry, at present a hotel

- Menen City Hall and adjacent Belfry

- Nieuwpoort Grain Hall known as Stadshalle (City's [Market] Hall), with Belfry

- Roeselare City Hall, City's Market Hall, and Belfry

- Tielt Belfry known as Hallentoren (Tower of the Halls), Cloth Hall and Aldermen's Chamber

- Veurne Landhuis ("country-house", former seat of the Viscounty of Veurne-Ambacht) and Belfry

- Ypres Cloth Hall with Belfry

East Flanders

- Aalst Aldermen's House with Belfry

- Dendermonde City Hall with Belfry

- Eeklo City Hall with Belfry

- Ghent Belfry, Cloth Hall and Mammelokker- Received

- Oudenaarde City Hall with Belfry

Flemish Brabant

- Leuven St. Peter's Church and tower- Received

- Tienen St. Germanus Church with Stadstoren (City Tower)

- Zoutleeuw St. Leonard's Church

Limburg

- Sint-Truiden City Hall with Tower

- Tongeren Basilica of Our Lady with Stadstoren (City Tower)

B) WALLONIA

Hainaut

- Binche Belfry of the City Hall

- Charleroi Belfry of the City Hall

- Mons Belfry

- Thuin Belfry

- Tournai Belfry

Namur

- Gembloux Belfry

- Namur Belfry

 FRANCE

A) NORD-PAS DE CALAIS

Nord

- Armentières Belfry of the City Hall

- Bailleul Belfry of the City Hall

- Bergues Belfry

- Cambrai Belfry of the St. Martin's Church

- Comines Belfry of the City Hall

- Douai Belfry of the City Hall

- Dunkirk Belfry of the City Hall

- Dunkirk Belfry of the St. Eligius Church

- Gravelines Belfry

- Lille Belfry of the City Hall-Received

- Loos Belfry of the City Hall

Pas-de-Calais

- Aire-sur-la-Lys Belfry of the City Hall

- Arras Belfry of the City Hall

- Béthune Belfry

- Boulogne-sur-Mer Belfry of the City Hall

- Calais Belfry of the City Hall

- Hesdin Belfry of the City Hall

B) PICARDY

Somme

- Abbeville Belfry

- Amiens Belfry-Received

- Doullens Belfry of the former Municipal Hall, at present the tourist information center

- Lucheux Belfry on the remaining City Gate

- Rue Belfry

- Saint-Riquier Belfry

Postcard 1: Gent 

Thanks to Ms Tani

Postcard 2: Brugges Belfry (Belgium)

Thanks to Ms Lotty

Postcard 3: Belfries in Belgium (Multi-View)

Thanks to Dager.

Postcard 4: St. Peter's Church and Tower,  Leuven (Belgium)

Thanks to 'Miss Patitav'

Postcard 5: St. Rumbolds Tower of the Cathedral, Mechelen (Belgium)

Thanks to Mr Javier.

Postcard 6: Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp

Thanks to Ms Tania.

Postcard 7: Lille Belfry ( France)

Thanks to Mr Vincent

Netherlands: Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker

Built between 1774 and 1781, this property is a moving mechanical scale model of the solar system as it was known at the time. Conceived and built by an ordinary citizen – the wool manufacturer Eise Eisinga – the model is built into the ceiling and south wall of the former living room/bedroom of its creator. Powered by one single pendulum clock, it provides a realistic image of the positions of the Sun, the Moon, the Earth and five other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). The planets revolve around the Sun in real time and the distance between the planets is at scale. The model fills the entire ceiling of the room, making it one of the earliest predecessors of the ceiling and projection planetariums of the 20th and 21st centuries. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2023

 Thanks to Ms Karin

Sri Lanka: Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2010

Postcard 1

Thanks to Dr Kiran Acharya.

Postcard 2

Thanks to Ms Prithika

North Korea: Complex of Koguryo Tombs

The property includes several group and individual tombs - totalling about 30 individual tombs - from the later period of the Koguryo Kingdom, one of the strongest kingdoms in nowadays northeast China and half of the Korean peninsula between the 3rd century BC to 7th century AD. The tombs, many with beautiful wall paintings, are almost the only remains of this culture. Only about 90 out of more than 10,000 Koguryo tombs discovered in China and Korea so far, have wall paintings. Almost half of these tombs are located on this site and they are thought to have been made for the burial of kings, members of the royal family and the aristocracy. These paintings offer a unique testimony to daily life of this period. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2004

Thanks to Mr Johnson
 

United Kingdom/ Germany/ Italy: The Great Spa Towns of Europe

This transnational property comprises 11 towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium); Františkovy Lázně (Czechia); Karlovy Vary (Czechia); Mariánské Lázně (Czechia); Vichy (France); Bad Ems (Germany); Baden-Baden (Germany); Bad Kissingen (Germany); Montecatini Terme (Italy); and City of Bath (United Kingdom). All of these towns developed around natural mineral water springs. They bear witness to the international European spa culture that developed from the early 18th century to the 1930s, leading to the emergence of grand international resorts that impacted urban typology around ensembles of spa buildings such as the kurhaus and kursaal (buildings and rooms dedicated to therapy), pump rooms, drinking halls, colonnades and galleries designed to harness the natural mineral water resources and to allow their practical use for bathing and drinking. Related facilities include gardens, assembly rooms, casinos, theatres, hotels and villas, as well as spa-specific support infrastructure. These ensembles are all integrated into an overall urban context that includes a carefully managed recreational and therapeutic environment in a picturesque landscape. Together, these sites embody the significant interchange of human values and developments in medicine, science and balneology. source:whc.unesco.org

1. Austria- Baden Bei Wein

2. Belgium- Spa

3. Czech Republic-Frantiskovy Lazne

4. Czech Republic- Karlovy Vary- Received

5. Czech Republic- Marianske Lazne

6. France- Vichy

7. Germany- Bad ems

8. Germany- Baden Baden

9. Germany- Bad Kissigen- Received

10. Italy- Montecatini Terme- Received

11. United Kingdom- Bath- Received

Inscribed: 2021

Postcard 1: United Kingdom (The city of Bath)

Thanks to Ms Nat.

Postcard 2: Germany (Bad Kissingen)

Thanks to Ms Svenja

Postcard 3: Italy (Montecatini Terme)

Thanks to Ms Martha Isabel

USA: Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

This property is a series of eight monumental earthen enclosure complexes built between 2,000 and 1,600 years ago along the central tributaries of the Ohio River. They are the most representative surviving expressions of the Indigenous tradition now referred to as the Hopewell culture. Their scale and complexity are evidenced in precise geometric figures as well as hilltops sculpted to enclose vast, level plazas. There are alignments with the cycles of the Sun and the far more complex cycles of the Moon. These earthworks served as ceremonial centres and the sites have yielded finely crafted ritual objects fashioned from exotic raw materials obtained from distant places. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2023

Thanks to Ms Karolyn
 

Portugal: Laurisilva of Madeira

 The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 1999

Thanks to Ms Keelley.

Portugal: Levadas of Madeira Island (tentative)

The Property “Levadas of Madeira Island are an hydraulic engineering work known internationally as ‘Levadas da Madeira’. The Property and its limits were defined according to the design and the permanent characteristics of this water transportation system of about 800 km of public and private waterways or aqueducts. The Levadas (from the Portuguese verb “levar” – to carry) are a system of channels or aqueducts of many kilometres in length, mostly bordering mountains but also going through them, with several stretches over rugged rocks, to bring water from different sources to its intermediate or final uses. Today, the ‘Levadas da Madeira’ constitute an exceptional multi-functional enterprise, transporting water for human consumption, agricultural purposes and the production of electrical energy. They are also paths for discovery and contact with nature and the agricultural landscape, becoming an “ex libris” of the region.

 Source:whc.unesco.org

Tentative: 2017

Thanks to Ms Martha.