UNESCO Sites in Germany

I was not at all aware of how many UNESCO sites exist in Germany and what different UNESCO lists exist.

First of all, the question arises:

How to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The process of inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a lengthy and detailed process that requires the participation of both the local and international community. The process begins at the national level and then progresses to the international level.

Before submitting an application, the country concerned must carry out a preparatory study. This study should confirm the significance of the cultural heritage and determine whether it meets UNESCO’s criteria for inscription. The criteria relate to the uniqueness, authenticity and integrity of the cultural heritage in question.

Next, the country concerned must inscribe the cultural heritage on its “Tentative List”. This list contains all the sites that a country could propose for nomination in the future. This list must be submitted to UNESCO at least one year before the actual nomination.

Once the site is on the Tentative List, the country can start preparing the nomination dossier. This dossier contains information about the site, including its history, current status, reasons for its significance and plans for its conservation and management.

The country submits the nomination dossier to UNESCO. After submission, the dossier is reviewed by one or more UNESCO Advisory Bodies. These include the International Council on Monuments and Sites for cultural heritage and the World Conservation Union for natural heritage. These organisations make a recommendation.

Based on the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, the World Heritage Committee makes the final decision on inscription. The Committee meets once a year to decide on new nominations.

Once inscribed on the World Heritage List, the country is obliged to maintain the condition of the site and to send regular reports on its condition to UNESCO. The World Heritage Committee can place sites that are not properly maintained on the List of World Heritage in Danger or even remove them from the list completely.

Which UNESCO World Heritage Lists exist?

UNESCO maintains various World Heritage Lists to document and protect outstanding sites.

World Heritage List:
This list includes sites of outstanding universal value in the field of cultural heritage. These include archaeological sites, historic cities, building complexes, cultural landscapes and much more.

World Natural Heritage List:
This list includes unique natural areas that are of outstanding beauty and ecological significance. These can be national parks, nature reserves, marine areas, forests or geological formations.

List of World Heritage in Danger:
This is a supplementary list that includes sites that are in danger of loss or destruction. UNESCO is stepping up its efforts to protect and preserve these sites in danger.

Intangible Cultural Heritage List:
This list includes living traditions, customs, expressions, craft techniques and oral traditions that are significant to the cultural diversity of communities.

Documentary Heritage List:
This lists audiovisual recordings of cultural heritage significance, including films, audio documents, photographic collections and more.

UNESCO – Sites in Germany