This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.
2019 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Risco Caido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, Spain
This pre-Hispanic archaeological site of cliffs and volcanic formations has two sacred temples Risco Caído and Roque Bentayga. These temples have possible astronomical significance.
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, Portugal
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount) is located on the hills of Mount Espinho overlooking the city of Braga. Built in a Baroque style, a highlight for tourists is the Escadório dos Cinco Sentidos (Stairway of the Five Senses), which has almost 600 steps.
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
This iconic volcanic region covers nearly 14 percent of Iceland’s territory. Containing 10 central volcanoes, eight are subglacial. Two of these are among the most active in Iceland.
Ohrid Region, Albania
The area of Lake Ohrid located in Macedonia has been on the World Heritage List since 1979. This year, the inscription was extended to include the area of Lake Ohrid in Albania, as well as the small Lin Peninsula and adjoining shoreline.
Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace, Azerbaijan
Sheki’s city-center was rebuilt in the 18th century after it was destroyed by mudflows. Thanks to its location in the Greater Caucasus Mountains and along the Gurjana River, Sheki became a prosperous city from the silk trade during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, China
This natural site along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China features the largest mudflat system in the world. The intertidal areas are especially important for migratory birds that include some of the most endangered species in the world.
Royal Building of Mafra and Hunting Park (Tapada), Portugal
Located near Lisbon, the impressive quadrangular building called Mafra and the geometric Cerco garden were built by King João V in 1711 in the Italian Baroque style. The royal hunting park (Tapada) surrounds Mafra and Cerco garden.
Plain of Jars, Xiengkhuang, Laos
The Plain of Jars, located in Central Laos, gets its name from the 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars that were used as tombstones during the Iron Age.
Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, Italy
The landscape of Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene (The Hills of Prosecco in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene) is distinguished by the vineyards planted on the rolling hills in northeastern Italy.
Áísínai’pi, Alberta, Canada
This archeological site is part of the Great Plains in Alberta, Canada. Áísínai’pi (Writing-on-Stone) is located in the Milk River Valley; the sandstone walls bear messages and paintings written by the Blackfoot people.
Jodrell Bank Observatory, England
Located near Manchester, England, Jodrell Bank is one of the world’s leading radio astronomy observatories. The observatory was built in 1945 and is still in use. UNESCO credits Jodrell Bank for having a substantial role in the research of meteors, quasars, and quantum optics.
Hyrcanian Forests, Iran
Hyrcanian Forests covers 21,000 square-miles near the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The forest is named after the ancient region of Hyrcania. UNESCO chose this natural site for its floristic biodiversity; noting that 180 species of birds and 58 mammal species have been recorded.
Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture, Russia
Seventeen unique buildings make up this group of monuments located in the historic city of Pskov. The Churches, cathedrals, monasteries, and administrative buildings were built in the 12th century.
Jaipur City, Rajasthan, India
Jaipur is also known as the “Pink City” for its plentiful pink stone buildings. The city is notable because of its unique urban planning, which is the result of an exchange of ideas between ancient Hindu, modern Mughal, and Western cultures.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site in North America
- 10 Historic Places That Have Been Ruined and Rebuilt
- 9 Incredible Places to Visit in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province, China
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