Sand dunes in Brazil, Nelson Mandela Human Rights landmarks in South Africa, and a 19th-century palace in Germany are among the new World Heritage Sites that have been named by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for 2024.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are some of the most visited places by travellers in the world. The title not only elevates a place to be globally recognised, but also encourages better protection of their natural and cultural heritage.
World Heritage Sites are considered ‘outstanding universal value to humanity’ and must pass at least one of 10 essential criteria, such as being a ‘masterpiece of human creative genius’ or a superlative natural phenomena’.
At the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting, currently taking place in New Delhi, 24 sites were designated with the prestigious World Heritage title. Of these, 19 have been named Cultural World Heritage Sites, four are Natural World Heritage Sites, while one is mixed. Furthermore, two significant extensions have also been made to existing sites.
The newly inscribed properties bring the total number of global UNESCO World Heritage Sites to 1,223.
Of note, Italy has seen the addition of the Via Appia, a 650km ancient Roman road, bringing the nation’s total amount of World Heritage Sites to 60 – the most of any country in the world.
Close behind Italy is China, who not only added the Beijing Central Axis (cultural) and Badain Jaran Desert (natural) to its extensive list of World Heritage Sites, but is also one of two countries to receive a significant extension. Phase II of the Migratory Boundaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea brings further protection to a large wetland area and crucial breeding ground for waterbirds. These inscriptions bring China’s total sites to 59.
One mixed World Heritage Site, encompassing both cultural and natural elements, has also been added to the list. Te Henua Enata (The Marquesas Islands) in French Polynesia is an archipelago not only recognised for its natural beauty and biodiversity, but also its long history of human occupation, which dates back to 1000 CE.
Below, we take a closer look at the new UNESCO World Heritage listings through photographs.
Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites 2024
Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital, China
Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia
Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany
Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty, India
Via Appia Regina Viarum, Italy
Hegmataneh, Iran
Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan
Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan
The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, Kenya
The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Malaysia
Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer, Palestine
Brâncusi Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu, Romania
Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia, Romania
The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, Saudi Arabia
Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa
The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa
Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period, Thailand
Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2024
Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Badain Jaran Desert – Towers of Sand and Lakes, China
The Flow Country, United Kingdom
Mixed (cultural and natural) UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2024
Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands, France
Significant modification to boundaries of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2024
Moravian Church Settlements, Germany/United Kingdom/United States of America
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II), China
Learn more at unesco.org
