List of popular unesco heritage sites. Objects of the world natural heritage of russia
There are many beautiful buildings, natural phenomena and other unique objects in the world that delight people. And the task of each generation is to preserve this wealth and pass it on to descendants. The most valuable sights are included in a special list.
About World Heritage Sites
It is scary to think that descendants will not see, for example, the Acropolis, or Meanwhile, this may happen, if not in the near future, then after several generations. That is why one of the primary tasks of mankind is to preserve and increase the cultural and natural resources of the planet.
For this purpose, a special list was created, which includes objects World heritage located on the territory different countries and regions. There are many of them, they are diverse, and each is unique in its own way.
General information about the list
For the first time, the idea of a list of the most valuable sites in the world was implemented in 1978, after the UN Convention was adopted six years earlier, which proclaimed a common responsibility for the preservation of the most significant cultural and natural monuments.
At the end of 2014, the list contains 1007 items. Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, Great Britain, Russia and the USA are in the top ten by the number of World Heritage Sites. In total, there are 359 items included in the list on their territory.
There are a number of criteria according to which the list is expanded. They include the uniqueness or exclusivity of a particular place or building from different points of view: its inhabitants, structures, evidence of an important stage in the development of civilizations, etc. Therefore, sometimes you can find objects that are quite unexpected for someone on the list.
Categories and examples
All the diversity of the World Heritage is divided into three conditional groups: cultural, natural and cultural-natural. The first category is the most numerous, it includes 779 items, for example, the building of the Opera House in Sydney. The second group contains 197 objects, including Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Grand Canyon. The last category is the smallest - only 31 monuments, but they combine both natural beauty and human intervention: Machu Picchu, Meteora monasteries, etc.
For some reason, people are accustomed to first of all admiring buildings and creations of their own efforts, forgetting about natural beauties. But in vain, because in fact it is also a World Cultural Heritage.
In Russia
On the territory of the Russian Federation there are 26 monuments included in the UNESCO list. Of these, 15 are classified as cultural, and the remaining 11 are natural. They are located throughout the country and include, in fact, the unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Russia.
For the first time, the Russian Federation added to the list of countries on whose territory there are monuments to human and natural genius, in 1990, when the list was replenished with the Kizhi Pogost and the historical center of St. Petersburg. In the future, the World Heritage of Russia has been regularly replenished and is still expanding. The list includes reserves, monasteries, geological monuments and many other objects. So, in 2014, the historical and archaeological complex "Bulgar", which is located in Tatarstan, was included in the list of the World Heritage of Russia.
Full list
The World Heritage Sites of Russia are mostly known to many citizens. But someone will also find unfamiliar places for themselves that they might want to visit, so it is better to give a complete list:
- historical Center and monuments of St. Petersburg;
- Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow;
- Kizhi churchyard;
- Veliky Novgorod and its surroundings;
- white monuments of Suzdal and Vladimir;
- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye;
- Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
- Komi forests;
- Lake Baikal;
- Kamchatka volcanoes;
- nature reserve Sikhote-Alin;
- golden Altai mountains;
- basin of the Ubsu-Nur lake;
- Western Caucasus;
- Kazan Kremlin;
- Ferapontov Monastery;
- Curonian Spit;
- the old town of Derbent;
- Wrangel Island;
- Novodevichy Convent;
- the historical center of Yaroslavl;
- Struve arc;
- Putorana plateau;
- Lena Pillars;
- complex "Bulgar".
Another point is connected with the political events of 2014 - on the Crimean peninsula is located ancient city Chersonesos, which is also included in the World Cultural Heritage. Russia actually has something to strive for, because there are many more unique sites located on the territory of the country, and each of them may eventually enter the UNESCO list. In the meantime, it is still worth learning more about those monuments that are already on this list. After all, it was not for nothing that they were included there?
Natural
Russia is a huge country, the largest on the planet in terms of territory. 9 time zones, 4 climatic zones and a huge number of different zones. It is not surprising that the World Natural Heritage of Russia is quite numerous and diverse - 11 sites. There are huge forests here, clean and deep lakes, natural phenomena amazing beauty.
- Virgin Komi forests. Considered to be the largest intact forests in Europe. Included in the World Heritage of Russia in 1995. Many species of rare representatives of flora and fauna grow and live on their territory.
- Lake Baikal. It is the deepest on the planet. Entered the list in 1996. Many species found in the lake are endemic.
- Volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula. They are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Included in the World Heritage Sites of Russia in 1996.
- Altai. In the list since 1998. Includes habitats of rare representatives of flora and fauna.
- Caucasian reserve. Located in three constituent entities of the Russian Federation: Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea. On the list since 1999.
- Central Sikhote-Alin. Natural reserve located in the Primorsky Territory. Many rare species of animals live on its territory. Included in the UNESCO list in 2001.
- Curonian Spit. This unique object is a sandy body stretching along Baltic Sea almost 100 kilometers. On the territory of the spit there are a large number of interesting places, for example the famous "Dancing Forest", also through it lies the path of seasonal migration of many birds. Listed in 2000.
- Ubsu-Nur basin. Located on the border of the Russian Federation and Mongolia. The basin was included in the list in 2003 according to the criteria of international scientific importance and conservation of biological and landscape diversity.
- Wrangel Island. It is divided into almost equal halves between the Western and Eastern hemispheres. Most of its territory is occupied by mountains. Rare plants grow here, which, among other things, was the reason for the object to be included in the UNESCO list in 2004 under number 1023.
- It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2010. Here are the migration routes of large populations reindeer as well as a unique combination of ecosystems.
- Lena Pillars. At the moment, the last object of the World natural heritage in Russia. Was listed in 2012. In addition to its aesthetic importance, this object is valuable for the uniqueness of the geological processes taking place here.
Man-made
Objects of the World Cultural Heritage of Russia, of course, include not only natural monuments, and the results of human labor.
- Historical center of St. Petersburg. Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow. The hearts of both capitals were included in the list at the same time - in 1990 - and at once according to four criteria.
- Kizhi. This unique ensemble of wooden buildings was included in the UNESCO list also in 1990. This real wonder of the world not only demonstrates the genius of mankind, but also surprisingly harmonizes with the surrounding nature.
- In 1992, UNESCO added 3 more sights to its list: the monuments of Novgorod, Suzdal and Vladimir, as well as
- The Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, listed in 1993 and 1994, respectively, are known for their beauty - many residents of Moscow and the Moscow region regularly visit there.
- b entered the list in 2000, as did
- Monuments of the city of Derbent in Dagestan - 2003.
- in Moscow - 2004.
- Historical center of Yaroslavl - 2005.
- (2 points), which helped to establish the shape, size and some other parameters of the planet - 2005.
- Architectural and historical complex Bulgar - 2014.
As you can see, the objects of the World Cultural Heritage of Russia are mostly concentrated in the European part, which is due to the peculiarities of the development of the territory.
Applicants
The World Heritage List of Russia in the coming years may expand significantly. The government of the Russian Federation regularly proposes to the UN all new applicants, unique and beautiful in their own way. Now there are 24 more sites that can be included in the main list of UNESCO.
The threat of extinction
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to preserve the World Heritage. Fortunately, Russia is not threatened yet, all of its monuments included in the list are relatively safe. UNESCO regularly edits and publishes a special list of unique objects at risk. Now it consists of 38 items. Natural and cultural monuments fall on this "alarming" list for various reasons: poaching, deforestation, construction and reconstruction projects that violate the historical appearance, climate change, etc. In addition, the worst enemy of the World Heritage is time, which is impossible win. And yet, from time to time, monuments are removed from this list, most often due to an improvement in the situation. But there are also sad examples when the situation has deteriorated so much that objects simply ceased to be included in the World Heritage. Russia has nothing to fear so far, although the ecological situation in some parts of the country may affect many natural monuments. And then, perhaps, for the Russian Federation, the "alarming" list will become relevant.
UNESCO action
Inclusion in the list is not only and not so much prestige, but, first of all, increased attention to the safety and condition of certain objects on the part of a larger number of organizations. UNESCO also stimulates the development of ecological tourism and increases people's awareness of the uniqueness of the monuments. Among other things, there is a special fund that finances the support of the objects.
Currently in the territory Russian Federation there are 26 World Heritage Sites:
16 cultural sites (marked with the letter C - cultural in the World Heritage List) and 10 natural (designated with the letter N - natural) heritage.
Three of them are transboundary, i.e. located on the territory of several states: Curonian Spit (Lithuania, Russian Federation), Ubsunur Basin (Mongolia, Russian Federation), Struve Geodetic Arc (Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia)
The first objects - "Historical Center St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments ”,“ Kizhi Pogost ”,“ Moscow Kremlin and Red Square ”were included in the World Heritage List at the 14th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in 1990 in the Canadian city of Banff.
14th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1990 (Banff, Canada)
No. С540 - Historical center St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments
Criteria (i) (ii) (iv) (vi)
The Venice of the North, with its many canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of the greatest urban development project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. The city turned out to be closely associated with the October Revolution of 1917, and in 1924-1991. he bore the name Leningrad. In his architectural heritage such different styles as baroque and classicism are combined, which can be seen in the example of the Admiralty, Winter Palace, The Marble Palace and the Hermitage.
Object information:
No. С544 - Kizhi Pogost
Criteria: (i) (iv) (v)
The Kizhi Pogost is located on one of the many islands of Lake Onega, in Karelia. Here you can see two wooden churches 18th century, as well as an octahedral bell tower, built of wood in 1862. These unusual structures, which are the pinnacle of carpentry skills, represent an example of an ancient church parish and harmoniously blend with the surrounding natural landscape.
Object information:
on the site of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. С545 - Moscow Kremlin and Red Square
Criteria: (i) (ii) (iv) (vi)
This place is inextricably linked with the most important historical and political events in the life of Russia. Since the XIII century. The Moscow Kremlin, created in the period from the XIV century. to the XVII century. outstanding Russian and foreign architects, was a grand ducal, and then a royal residence, as well as a religious center. The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, a true masterpiece of Russian Orthodox architecture, rises on Red Square, which stretches along the walls of the Kremlin.
Object information:
on the website of the Moscow Kremlin Museums
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
16th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1992 (Santa Fe, USA)
# С604 - Historical Monuments of Veliky Novgorod and the Vicinity
Criteria: (ii) (iv) (vi)
Novgorod, favorably located on the ancient trade route between Central Asia and Northern Europe, was in the 9th century. the first capital of Russia, the center of Orthodox spirituality and Russian architecture. Its medieval monuments, churches and monasteries, as well as the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek (teacher of Andrei Rublev), dating from the 14th century, clearly illustrate the outstanding level of architectural and artistic creativity.
Object information:
on the website of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Novgorod Region
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. С632 - Historical and Cultural Complex of the Solovetsky Islands
Criterion: (iv)
The Solovetsky Archipelago, located in the western part of the White Sea, consists of 6 islands with a total area of more than 300 sq. km. They were settled in the 5th century. BC, however, the very first evidence of a person's stay here dates back to the 3rd-2nd millennia BC. The islands, starting from the 15th century, became the place of creation and active development of the largest monastery in the Russian North. There are also several churches of the 16th-19th centuries.
Object information:
on the website of the FGBUK "Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve"
on the website "Museums of Russia"
No. С633 - White-stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal
Criteria: (i) (ii) (iv)
These two ancient cultural centers of Central Russia occupy an important place in the history of the formation of the country's architecture. There are a number of majestic religious and public buildings of the XII-XIII centuries, among which the Assumption and Dmitrievsky cathedrals (Vladimir) stand out.
Object information:
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
17th Session of the World Heritage Committee -1993 (Cartagena, Colombia)
# С657 - The architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the city of Sergiev Posad
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
This is a vivid example of an active Orthodox monastery with the features of a fortress, which fully corresponded to the spirit of the time of its formation - the 15th-18th centuries. In the main temple of the lavra - the Assumption Cathedral, created in the image and likeness of the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin - there is the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev.
Object information:
on the the website of the Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
18th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1994 (Phuket, Thailand)
No. С634rev- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Moscow)
Criterion: (ii)
This church was built in 1532 on the royal estate Kolomenskoye near Moscow to commemorate the birth of the heir, the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The Church of the Ascension, which is one of the earliest examples of the hip-roof completion in stone, which is traditional for wooden architecture, had a great influence on the further development of Russian church architecture.
Object information:
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
19th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1995 (Berlin, Germany)
N719 - Virgin Komi forests
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
The heritage site, covering an area of 3.28 million hectares, includes lowland tundra, mountain tundra of the Urals, as well as one of the largest tracts of primary boreal forests that have survived in Europe. The vast territory with bogs, rivers and lakes, where conifers, birch and aspen grow, has been studied and protected for over 50 years. Here you can trace the course of natural processes that determine the biodiversity of the taiga ecosystem.
Object information:
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
20th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1996 (Merida, Mexico)
№ N754 - Lake Baikal
Criteria: (vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
Located in the southeast of Siberia and covering an area of 3.15 million hectares, Baikal is recognized as the oldest (25 million years) and the deepest (about 1700 m) lake on the planet. The reservoir stores approximately 20% of all world reserves fresh water... In the lake, which is known as the "Galapagos of Russia", thanks to its ancient age and isolation, a freshwater ecosystem, unique even by world standards, was formed, the study of which is of enduring importance for understanding the evolution of life on Earth.
Object information:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
22nd Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1998 (Kyoto, Japan)
№ N768rev - "Golden Mountains of Altai"
Criteria: (x)
Altai mountains, which are the main mountainous area in the south of Western Siberia, form the origins largest rivers this region - the Ob and Irtysh. The heritage site includes three separate sites: Altai nature reserve with a water protection zone of Lake Teletskoye, Katunsky nature reserve plus Belukha natural park, Ukok plateau. The total area is 1.64 million hectares. The region demonstrates the widest spectrum within Central Siberia altitude zones: from steppes, forest-steppe and mixed forests to subalpine and alpine meadows and glaciers. The area is home to endangered animals such as the snow leopard.
Object information:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
23rd Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1999 (Marrakesh, Morocco)
№ N900 - Western Caucasus
Criteria: (ix) (x)
This is one of the few large alpine massifs in Europe where nature has not yet undergone significant anthropogenic influence. The area of the object is approximately 300 thousand hectares, it is located in the west Greater Caucasus, 50 km northeast of the Black Sea coast. Only wild animals graze on the local alpine and subalpine meadows, and the vast, untouched mountain forests, stretching from the low-mountain zone to the sub-alpine, are also unique in Europe. The area is characterized by a wide variety of ecosystems, highly endemic flora and fauna, and is an area where the mountain subspecies of the European bison once lived, and was later re-acclimatized.
Object information:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
24th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2000 (Cairns, Australia)
No. С980 - Historical and architectural complex of the Kazan Kremlin
Criteria: (ii) (iii) (iv)
Emerging on a territory inhabited since ancient times, the Kazan Kremlin traces its history back to the Muslim period in the history of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible and became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The Kremlin, which largely preserved the layout of the ancient Tatar fortress and became an important center of pilgrimage, includes outstanding historical buildings of the 16th-19th centuries, built on the ruins of earlier structures of the 10th-16th centuries.
Object information:
on the website of the State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve "Kazan Kremlin"
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
# С982 - Ferapontov Monastery Ensemble
Criteria: (i) (iv)
Ferapontov Monastery is located in Vologda region, in the north of the European part of Russia. This is an exceptionally well-preserved Orthodox monastery complex of the 15th-17th centuries, i.e. a period that was of great importance for the formation of a centralized Russian state and the development of its culture. The architecture of the monastery is unique and holistic. In the interior of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, magnificent wall frescoes by Dionysius, the greatest Russian artist of the late 15th century, have been preserved.
Object information:
on the website of the FGBUK "Kirillo-Belozersky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve"
on the website of the Museum of Frescoes of Dionysius
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. С994 - Curonian Spit
Cross-border facility: Lithuania, Russian Federation
Criterion: (v)
Human development of this narrow sandy peninsula, which is 98 km long and 400 m to 4 km wide, began in prehistoric times. The scythe was also exposed to natural forces - wind and sea waves. Keeping this unique cultural landscape to this day it has become possible only thanks to the incessant struggle of man against the processes of erosion (fixing of dunes, forest planting).
Object information:
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Russia)
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
25th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2001 (Helsinki, Finland)
№ N766rev - Central Sikhote-Alin
Criterion: (x)
The Sikhote-Alin mountains are home to the Far Eastern coniferous-deciduous forests, which are recognized as one of the richest and most original in terms of species composition among all the forests of the temperate zone of the Earth. In this transition zone, located at the junction of the taiga and the subtropics, an unusual mixture of southern (tiger, Himalayan bear) and northern animal species (brown bear, lynx) is noted. The territory extends from the most high peaks Sikhote-Alin to the coast Sea of Japan, and serves as a refuge for many endangered species, including the Amur tiger.
Object information:
on the site of the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
27th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2003 (Paris, France)
№
N769 rev- Ubsunur Basin
Cross-border facility: Mongolia, Russian Federation
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site (with an area of 1,069 thousand hectares) is located within the northernmost of all the drainless basins of Central Asia. Its name comes from the name of the vast shallow and very salty lake Ubsunur, in the area of which a lot of migratory, waterfowl and near-water birds accumulate. The object consists of 12 scattered sites (including seven sites in Russia, with an area of 258.6 thousand hectares), which represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Eastern Eurasia. A wide variety of birds is noted in the steppes, and rare species of small mammals live in desert areas. Globally rare animals such as the snow leopard and the argali mountain sheep, as well as the Siberian ibex have been recorded in the highlands.
Object information:
on the website of the Tuva Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
# С1070 - Citadel, Old Town and fortifications of Derbent
Criteria: (iii) (iv)
Ancient Derbent was located on the northern borders of Sassanid Persia, which at that time stretched east and west from the Caspian Sea. The ancient fortifications, built of stone, include two fortress walls that run parallel to each other from the seashore to the mountains. The city of Derbent was formed between these two walls and has retained its medieval character to this day. It continued to be a strategically important site until the 19th century.
Object information:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution "Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve"
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
28th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2004 (Suzhou, China)
No. С1097 - Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (Moscow)
Criteria: (i) (iv) (vi)
The Novodevichy Convent, located in the south-west of Moscow, was created during the 16th-17th centuries and was one of the links in the chain of monastic ensembles united in the city's defense system. The monastery was closely associated with political, cultural and religious life Russia, as well as with the Moscow Kremlin. Representatives of the royal family, noble boyar and noble families were tonsured here and buried. The ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent is one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture (“Moscow Baroque” style), and its interiors, where valuable collections of paintings and works of decorative and applied art are kept, are distinguished by rich interior decoration.
Object information:
on the site of the Mother of God of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N1023rev - Natural complex of the Wrangel Island reserve
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site located above the Arctic Circle includes the mountainous Wrangel Island (7.6 thousand sq. Km) and the Herald Island (11 sq. Km), along with the adjacent waters of the Chukotka and East Siberian seas... Since this area was not covered by a powerful Quaternary glaciation, a very high biodiversity is noted here. Wrangel Island is known for its huge walrus rookeries (some of the largest in the Arctic), as well as the world's largest density of polar bear ancestral dens. The area is important as a feeding ground for gray whales migrating here from California, and as a nesting site for more than 50 bird species, many of which are classified as rare and endangered. More than 400 species and varieties of vascular plants are recorded on the island, that is, more than on any other arctic island... Some of the living organisms found here are special island forms of those plants and animals that are widespread on the continent. About 40 species and subspecies of plants, insects, birds and animals are identified as endemic.
Object information:
on the website of the FSBI State Nature Reserve "Wrangel Island"
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
29th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2005 (Durban, South Africa)
No. С1187 - Struve Geodetic Arc
Cross-border site: Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia
Criteria: (ii) (iii) (vi)
The Struve Arc is a chain of triangulation points stretching for 2820 km across the territory of ten European countries from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea. These reference points of observation were laid in the period 1816-1855. astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (aka Vasily Yakovlevich Struve), who thus made the first reliable measurement of a large segment of the earth's meridian arc. This allowed us to accurately establish the size and shape of our planet, which was an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. It was an exceptional example of scientific collaboration between scientists. different countries and between the ruling monarchs. Initially, the "arc" consisted of 258 geodetic "triangles" (polygons) with 265 main triangulation points. The World Heritage Site includes 34 such sites (the most well-preserved to date), which are marked on the ground in a variety of ways, such as hollows carved in the rocks, iron crosses, cairns or specially erected obelisks.
Object information:
on the site St. Petersburg Society of Geodesy and Cartography
on the website of the Land Department of the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia
on the website of the Finnish Cartography Department
on the Norwegian World Heritage site
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. С1170 - Historical center of Yaroslavl
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The historic city of Yaroslavl, located about 250 km northeast of Moscow at the confluence of the Kotorosl River into the Volga, was founded in the 11th century. and subsequently developed into a large shopping center... It is known for its numerous churches of the 17th century, and as an outstanding example of the implementation of the urban planning reform carried out by the decree of Empress Catherine the Great in 1763 throughout Russia. Although the city has preserved a number of remarkable historical buildings, later it was reconstructed in the classicism style on the basis of a radial master plan... It also has preserved from the 16th century. buildings of the Spassky monastery - one of the oldest in the Upper Volga region, which arose at the end of the 12th century. on the site of a pagan temple, but rebuilt over time.
Object information:
on the website of the Official portal of the city of Yaroslavl
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
34th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2010 (Brasilia, Brazil)
№ N1234rev - Putorana Plateau
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
This site coincides with its borders with the Putorana State Natural Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 km beyond the Arctic Circle. The part of this plateau, included in the World Heritage List, has preserved a full set of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved in an isolated mountain range, including untouched taiga, forest-tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as a pristine lake with cold water and river systems. The main route of reindeer migration runs through the site, which is an exceptional, majestic and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.
Object information:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "United Directorate of Reserves of Taimyr"
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
36th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2012 (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)
№ N1299 - Nature Park"Lena Pillars"
Criteria: (viii)
The natural park "Lena Pillars" is formed by rock formations of rare beauty, which reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They originated in a sharply continental climate with a difference of annual temperature up to 100 degrees Celsius (from -60 ° C in winter to + 40 ° C in summer). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with frost-covered fragments of rock. The penetration of water from the surface accelerated the freezing process and contributed to frosty weathering. This led to the deepening of the ravines between the pillars and their dispersal. The proximity of the river and its course are dangerous factors for the pillars. The site contains the remains of a wide variety of Cambrian species.
Object information:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Natural Park "Lena Pillars"
on the website of the Natural Heritage Protection Fund
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
38th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2014 (Doha, Qatar)
No. С981rev- Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Complex
Criteria: (ii) (vi)
The object is located on the banks of the Volga River to the south of the confluence of the Kama River and to the south of the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan. It contains evidence of the existence of the medieval town of Bolgar, ancient settlement the people of the Volga Bulgars, which existed in the period from the 7th to the 15th centuries. and was in the XIII century. the first capital of the Golden Horde. Bolgar demonstrates historical and cultural relationships and transformations in Eurasia over several centuries, which played a decisive role in the formation of civilizations, customs and cultural traditions... The site is an important testament to the historical continuity and diversity of cultures. It is a symbolic reminder of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars in 922 and remains a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Muslim Tatars.
Object information:
on the website of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve "Great Bolgar"
on the website of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
37th sessionWorld Heritage Committee - 2013 (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Cambodia)
№C1411 - Ancient city of Tauric Chersonesos and its choir
Criteria: (ii) (v)
The object represents the ruins of an ancient city founded by the Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC. NS. on the northern coast of the Black Sea. The site consists of six elements, including the ruins of a city and farmland, divided into several hundred rectangular areas of equal size that were used for growing grapes; vineyard products were intended for export and ensured the prosperity of Chersonesos until the 15th century. On the territory of the object there are several complexes of public buildings, residential areas and monuments of early Christianity. It also features stone and Bronze Age settlement ruins, Roman and medieval tower fortifications and water systems, and exceptionally well-preserved vineyards and dividing walls. In the III century A.D. NS. Chersonesos was known as the most successful wine-making center on the Black Sea and served as a link between Greece, the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the peoples of the northern Black Sea coast. Chersonesos is an outstanding example of the democratic organization of agriculture in the vicinity of the ancient city, reflecting the urban social structure.
Object information:
41- session of the World Heritage Committee - 2017 (Krakow, Poland)
№N1448rev - Landscapes of Dauria
Criteria: (ix) (x)
Located on the territory of Mongolia and the Russian Federation, this site is a unique example of the Daurian steppe ecosystem, which begins in the east of Mongolia and stretches across Russian Siberia to the northeastern border of China. The cyclical climate with alternating wet and dry periods has contributed to the emergence of a wide variety of species and ecosystems important to the entire world. The various types of steppes represented here, such as wet meadows, forest and lake areas, are home to such rare species of fauna as the Daurian crane and bustard, as well as millions of rare and vulnerable migratory birds that are endangered. The park is also an important site on the migration route of Mongolian Dresden.
Object information:
# C1525 - Cathedral of the Assumption and the Monastery of the island town of Sviyazhsk
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The Assumption Cathedral is located on the island city of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Located at the confluence of the Volga, Sviyaga and Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Volga River, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that Ivan the Terrible began the conquest of the city of Kazan. The location and architecture of the Assumption Monastery testifies to the existence of a political and missionary program developed by Tsar Ivan IV in order to expand the territory of the Moscow state. The frescoes of the cathedral are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox wall painting.
Object information:
The World Heritage Sites included in the special UNESCO list are of tremendous interest to the entire population of the planet. Unique natural and cultural sites make it possible to preserve those unique corners of nature and man-made monuments that demonstrate the richness of nature and the capabilities of the human mind.
As of July 6, 2012, there are 962 sites in the World Heritage List (including 745 cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed) located in 148 countries of the world. Among the objects there are separate architectural structures and ensembles, for example - the Acropolis, cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, historical centers of cities - Warsaw and St. Petersburg, the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square; and there are also whole cities - Brasilia, Venice together with the lagoon and others. There are also archaeological reserves such as Delphi; National parks - Marine park Great Barrier Reef, Yellowstone (USA) and others. The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations for their preservation.
In this photo selection you will see 29 objects from different parts of our planet, which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
1) Tourists visiting Buddhist sculptures Longmen Grottoes ("Dragon Gate") near the city of Luoyang in the Chinese province of Henan. More than 2,300 caves are located in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. For the first time, Buddhism in China was introduced in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty. (China Photos / Getty Images)
2) The Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are more than 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, ranging from plain heaps of bricks and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, which is considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples in Angkor have been rebuilt. More than a million tourists visit them every year. (Voishmel / AFP - Getty Images)
3) One of the parts of the Al-Hijr archaeological site - also known as Mada'in Salih. This complex located in the northern regions Saudi Arabia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (1st century BC - 1st century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures associated with the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the pre-Babatean period. (Hassan Ammar / AFP - Getty Images)
4) Waterfalls "Garganta del Diablo" ("The Devil's Throat" is located in the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, the park has 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2000 varieties of plants and 400 bird species Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Christian Rizzi / AFP - Getty Images)
5) Mysterious Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure, consisting of 150 huge stones, and located on the Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Matt Cardy / Getty Images)
6) Tourists stroll by the Bafang Pavilion in the Summer Palace, the famous classical imperial garden in Beijing. Summer palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. (China Photos / Getty Images)
7) Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", donated to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to the harbor of New York. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Seth Wenig / AP)
8) "Solitario George" (Lone George), the last live giant tortoise of this species, born on the island of Pinta, lives in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now about 60-90 years old. The Galapagos Islands were originally inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, but were marked as Endangered in 2007. (Rodrigo Buendia / AFP - Getty Images)
9) People skate on the ice of the canals in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk Mills near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk is home to the Netherlands' largest collection of historic mills and is also one of the main attractions in South Holland. The decoration of the holidays taking place here with balloons gives a certain flavor to this place. (Peter Dejong / AP)
10) View of the Perito Moreno glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The site was listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentinean part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. (Daniel Garcia / AFP - Getty Images)
11) Terraced gardens in the northern Israeli city of Haifa surround the gold-domed Tomb of the Bab, the founder of the Bahá'í faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Bahá'í religion, the number of which is less than six million worldwide. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008. (David Silverman / Getty Images)
12) Aerial photography of St. Peter's Square. According to the World Heritage website, this small state houses a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Giulio Napolitano / AFP - Getty Images)
13) Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem houses the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 coral species and 1,500 fish species. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. (AFP - Getty Images)
14) Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of the main monument of Jordan, Al-Khaznah or the treasury, presumably representing the tomb of the Nabatean king, carved out of sandstone. This city, located between Red and By the dead seas, is located at the intersection of routes from Arabia, Egypt, and Phenicia. Petra was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1985. (Thomas Coex / AFP - Getty Images)
15) Sydney Opera House - one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, which is the symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. Sydney Opera House was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007. (Torsten Blackwood / AFP - Getty Images)
16) Rock carvings made by the San people in the Drakensberg Mountains in eastern South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg area for thousands of years, until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible cave paintings in the Drakensberg Mountains, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. (Alexander Joe / AFP - Getty Images)
17) General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east in the province of Hadhramaut. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. All houses here are built of mud bricks, about 500 houses can be considered multi-storey, since they have 5-11 floors. Shibam is often called " the oldest city skyscrapers in the world "or" Deserted Manhattan ", it is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. (Khaled Fazaa / AFP - Getty Images)
18) Gondolas off the coast of the Grand Canal in Venice. The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice - seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architecture exhibitions. Venice was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. (AP)
19) Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues of compressed volcanic ash (moai in Rapa Nui) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3,700 km off the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995. (Martin Bernetti / AFP - Getty Images)
20) Visitors walk along the Great Wall of china in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds in order to defend against the invasion of tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP - Getty Images)
21) Temple in Hampi, near the southern Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the midst of the ruins of Vijayanagara - the former capital Vijayanagar Empire. Hampi and its monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP - Getty Images)
22) A Tibetan pilgrim rotates prayer mills at the Potala Palace in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. The Potala Palace is a royal palace and Buddhist temple complex that was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the 1994 UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Goh Chai Hin / AFP - Getty Images)
23) Inca Citadel Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cuzco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists a day; in order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. (Eitan Abramovich / AFP - Getty Images)
24) Kompon-Daito Buddhist Pagoda on Mount Koya, Wakayama Province, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819 the Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, was the first to settle here. (Everett Kennedy Brown / EPA)
25) Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu - one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the sides of the tower crowning it are depicted "Buddha's eyes" inlaid with ivory. The Kathmandu Valley is about 1300 m high - a mountain valley and historical region of Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Bodnath stupa to tiny street altars within the walls of houses. Locals say that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. (Paula Bronstein / Getty Images)
26) A bird flies over the Taj Mahal - a mausoleum-mosque, located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of the wife of Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983. Architectural miracle was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007. (Tauseef Mustafa / AFP - Getty Images)
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27) Located in northeastern Wales, the 18 km long Pontkisillte Aqueduct is a civil engineering feat from the Industrial Revolution, completed in the early years of the 19th century. More than 200 years after its opening, it is still in use and is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkisilte aqueduct was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as “a milestone in the history of civil engineering in the era of the industrial revolution”. This aqueduct is one of the most unusual monuments to plumbing and plumbing. (Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)
28) A herd of elk grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes on the left and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In Yellowstone National Park, which covers almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage Program in 1978. (Kevork Djansezian / AP)
29) Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon promenade in Havana. UNESCO inscribed Old Havana and its fortifications on the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded and has a population of over 2 million, its old center preserves an interesting mixture of Baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and patios. (Javier Galeano / AP)
World Heritage is a variety of natural or man-made objects that need to be preserved for future generations due to their special cultural, historical or ecological significance. As of 2012, there are 962 items on this list, 754 of them are cultural monuments, 188 are natural and 29 are mixed.
UNESCO was established in 1945 and its purpose is to protect and preserve places of special value or physical importance for all mankind. In 1954, during the construction of the Aswan Dam, Abu Simbel, a man-made temple carved into the rock, fell under flooding. The responsible organization allocated money for the building to be dismantled and moved to a higher location. This unprecedented action took four years, and highly qualified specialists from 54 countries of the world were involved in its implementation in a short time.
Today, on the pages of Forum-City, we will be discussing a rather entertaining topic - the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Aldabra Atoll
The atoll consists entirely of corals and is a group of four islands separated by narrow straits. It is located north of Madagascar in Indian Ocean... Belongs to the State of Seychelles.
Aldabra is considered the second largest in the world after Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Kiribati archipelago. Its dimensions: 34 km in length and 14.5 km in length, height above sea level up to 8 m. inner lagoon 224 sq. km.
Since the 17th century, it has been used by the French to hunt giant sea turtles, as their meat was considered an exquisite delicacy. For a long time, pirates also ruled these places, because the atoll is located far from populated areas.
In 1982 this paradise was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as unique monument nature. This is one of the few islands on our planet that has not been touched by civilization. Currently, it is home to a huge population of giant sea turtles (over 152 thousand) and two completely unique species of bats. Entry to this nature reserve is tightly controlled, and all approaches by the sea are protected.
Giant statue in China
The huge Buddha Maitreya is carved into the rock at the confluence of three rivers - Minjiang, Qingjiang and Daduhe near the city of Leshan in China. According to ancient legend a famous monk named Haithong of the Tang Dynasty, worried about frequent shipwrecks and deaths in a whirlpool just opposite this rock, vowed to carve a stone statue of a seated Buddha. He raised funds and began construction, and his followers completed the work. The largest monument in the world was built over 90 years - from 713 to 803.
For the convenience of visitors, a special Nine Turns path has been built here, consisting of 250 steps. There is a pavilion next to the trail where tourists can relax and admire the giant's face up close.
Almost until the middle of the 13th century, a huge seven-story wooden structure covered the statue from the weather, but over time it collapsed, and the structure remained defenseless against the elements. Debris left by tourists began to accumulate at the foot, the waters of three rivers washed away the lotus-shaped base.
The local department hired 40 workers to restore the unique statue to its former grandeur. The project invested about $ 700,000 and another $ 730,000 to improve security systems.
Every year, more than 2 million travelers from all over the world come to see the seated Buddha and add about $ 84 million to the budget of the Leshan City Tourism Department.
Hatra, or El-Khadr
This is an ancient ruined city in the Parthian kingdom, the ruins of which are still located on the territory of Northern Iraq in the Ninewa province to the northwest of the capital of the country, Baghdad. It was founded in the III century, and its heyday fell on the period of the II-I centuries BC.
The total area was about 320 hectares, in shape it resembled an oval, surrounded by a double line of high stone walls with four gates oriented to the cardinal points. The most powerful defensive wall, two meters high, was built of stone, behind it was a deep ditch up to 500 meters wide. There were 163 defense towers at a distance of 35 meters from each other.
The city belonged to Arab princes, who regularly paid tribute to the warlike Persians, and was located at the crossroads of the main trade routes that time. In the center was a palace and temple complex with an area of about 12,000 square meters. meters. Due to its transit location, El Khadr included religious buildings different directions, it was even called the "House of God".
Thanks to good defensive structures and vigilant round-the-clock protection, the ancient city withstood even the attack of the legionaries of the Roman Empire in 116 and 198 AD, but in 241, Hatra fell under the siege of the Persian ruler Shapur and was soon destroyed and consigned to oblivion.
Schroeder House by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
This house in 1924 was specially built for the 35-year-old widow Truus Schröder-Schrader and her three children in the small Dutch town of Utrecht. The building is distinguished by innovative solutions in the original and unusual exterior design at that time, as well as the view of spacious balconies and huge windows.
The project and the entire internal layout were developed by the novice architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. The widow proposed a number of unusual innovations, which it was also decided to implement. So, in the kitchen on the ground floor, an elevator was built, in which ready meals were served upstairs directly to the set table. All the interiors of the first level are quite traditional for that time. The walls are made of old bricks.
But on the second floor, according to the idea of the hostess of the house, the entire space remained completely open, and it can be divided into several rooms at any time using sliding walls. All wardrobes and beds are transformers, assembled during the day and unfold at night. Instead of the usual curtains, like all neighbors, they used multi-colored plywood boards.
Currently, the unique house belongs to the Central Museum of the city of Utrecht and guided tours that take about an hour are held there.
This building is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List because it had a significant impact on further architectural trends, and also became the first open-plan house in the world history of architecture.
Krak des Chevaliers
Krak de Chevalier (or Krak de l'Hospital) is a unique crusader structure located in the state of Syria on the top of a cliff 650 meters high. The nearest town of Homs is located 65 km east of the castle.
This is one of the most well-preserved fortresses of the Order of the Hospitallers in the world. In the 10th century, this castle became its headquarters, where a garrison of 2,000 soldiers and 60 knights could be deployed during the crusade.
In addition to the powerful walls, many buildings in the Gothic style have been reconstructed and restored. This is a large conference room, water storage tanks, a chapel, an inner aqueduct, storage facilities and two stables that could hold up to 1000 horses. In the rock mass under the building, underground storage facilities for food and water reserves were made, which could be enough for a long siege for 5 years.
At the end of the 12th century, during another crusade, King Edward I of England saw the impregnable fortress, and soon his castles appeared in Wales and England, very similar in structure to Krak.
Monastery of the city of Alcobas
The Cistercian monastery "de Santa Maria de Alcobaça", located in the Portuguese city of Alcobaça, was founded by King Afonso Henriques in 1153 and for two centuries served as a burial vault for the rulers of Portugal. The cathedral is the first building in the Gothic style, built on the territory of the ancient state.
Architecture is historically valuable. The two wings of the main facade are made in the Baroque style, and between them there is a church, the facade of which, as it were, connects these two directions. At the top is a balcony supported by four statues - they symbolize the main virtues: justice, fortitude, prudence and sobriety.
In 1755, the whole country was shaken by the great Lisbon Earthquake, which was very destructive, but the temple survived - only the sacristy and part of the service buildings were damaged. However, the original appearance historical site could not be restored. Near the entrance to the church is the Hall of the Kings, where there are statues of all the monarchs of Portugal, and the history of this place is written on the walls with the help of blue and white azuleijos tiles from the 18th century.
After viewing this early Gothic masterpiece, other interiors of the famous cathedrals of Europe seem gloomy and less aesthetic. These buildings showcase the perfect skills and dedication of medieval craftsmen. And the entire ensemble "de Santa Maria de Alcobaça" is one of the finest monuments of Portuguese art.
Monte Alban
According to prominent scientists with a worldwide reputation, this is a fairly large settlement of ancient people in the southeast of Mexico, Oaxaca. Just 9 km from the state capital on the low ridge mountain range passing through the valley, there is a man-made plateau. On it was the very first city in the entire historical region, which played a significant role as the socio-political and economic center of the Zapotec civilization.
In the early 1930s, the ruins of this ancient settlement were discovered by the Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso. Many pundits equate this discovery with a sensational discovery of the true location of the legendary Troy.
"Mexican Troy" turned out to be a city of high culture, local craftsmen as early as 200 BC were already able to process rock crystal and make unique jewelry from gold.
During the excavations, 150 four-chamber crypts, palaces and pyramids, very similar to those erected by the Mayan tribe, an ancient observatory, a giant amphitheater with 120 rows for spectators, powerful stone stairs 40 meters wide, a structure resembling a stadium and much more were discovered.
The walls of the buildings are decorated with frescoes, relief images of human figures and stone mosaics. A kind of funerary ceramic urns in the form of gods and various animals have been discovered.
The impressive ruins of the center ancient civilization Monte Alban are located in such a way that they are visible from anywhere in the central part of the Oaxaca Valley
Lalibela
It is a small town in the north of Ethiopia, located in the Ahmara region at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. It is the center of pilgrimage for the entire population of the country, because almost all residents of the town are Christians of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Lalibela was built as New Jerusalem in response to the Muslim seizure of the Christian shrine in the State of Israel, therefore many historical buildings have names and types of architecture similar to the ancient buildings of Jerusalem.
According to 2005 data, the population of the city was 15 thousand people, of which the majority (about 8,000) are women. This medieval religious center is famous for its monolithic, three-aisled churches carved into volcanic tuff, built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The bas-reliefs and wall paintings of these ancient structures mix Christian and pagan symbols and motives.
Thirteen temples seem to grow out of the ground. "Bethe Mariam" is considered the oldest, and "Bethe Medhane Alei" - the largest church in the world, carved into the rock. According to the legend, in the last of the churches carved into the rocks, "Beta Golgotha", the remains of King Lalibela are buried.
These unique works of architecture of ancient craftsmen are also monuments to the engineering thought of medieval Ethiopia - near many of them there are wells that are filled with water using a complex system based on the use of artesian wells.
Eight hundred years ago, people could supply water to a height of 2500 meters!
Ellora
It is a simple village in the state of Maharashtra, India, near the city of Aurangabad. She is famous for the fact that nearby in the rocks are carved cave temples different religions, the creation of which dates back to the 6th-9th centuries of the new era. Of the 34 caves of Ellora, 12 in the south are Buddhist, 17 in the center are dedicated to Hindu gods, and 5 to the north are Jain.
Most of the ancient shrines have their own names, the most famous is “Kailas”. This beautiful, well-preserved example of ancient architecture is considered one of the most precious monuments in India. Colossal statues of Shiva, Vishnu and other gods revered in the country are carved in a granite canopy over the entrance to this place, sacred for all Hindus.
This is followed by the huge goddess Lakshmi - she is reclining on lotus flowers, and around there are majestic elephants. On all sides, the temple is surrounded by monumental size lions and vultures, they froze in different poses, and guard the peace of the heavenly kings.
One of the legends says that this piece of paradise was built by one raja - Edu from Elichpur - in gratitude for the healing with water from a spring located on the territory of the temple.
Vishvakarma has a multi-storey entrance and a large hall in which there is a sculpture of Buddha preaching a sermon.
Indra Sabha is a two-level monolithic Jain temple.
"Kailasanatha" is the centerpiece of the entire sacred complex, and during the construction of this miracle in the town of Ellora more than 200,000 tons of rock were removed.
Ancient building complex in Wudang Mountains
The Wudang Mountains in China are famous for their ancient monasteries and temples; a long time ago, a university was founded here for the study of medicine, pharmacology, nutrition systems, meditation and martial arts.
Back in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the first religious center, the Temple of the Five Dragons, was opened in this area. Much construction on the mountain began in the 15th century, when Emperor Yongle summoned 300,000 soldiers and built the complexes. At that time, 9 monasteries, 36 sketes and 72 shrines, many gazebos, bridges and multi-tiered pagodas were erected, forming 33 architectural ensembles. The construction lasted 12 years, and the complex of structures covered the main peak and 72 small peaks - the length was 80 km.
The Golden Hall is one of the most famous, it took 20 thousand tons of copper and about 300 kg of gold to make it. According to scientists, it was forged in the capital of China, Beijing, and then delivered in parts to the Wudang Mountains.
The Temple of the Purple Cloud consists of several halls - Dragon and Tiger Hall, Purple Sky Hall, Eastern, Western and Parental. The shrines of Wu Zhen are kept here from the day of its foundation.
During the troubled times of the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976), many places of worship were destroyed, but later restored, and now the complex is visited by tourists from all over the world.
The architecture of the ancient complex of Wudang Mountains combines the best achievements of Chinese traditions over the past one and a half thousand years.
"Valley of the whales" in Egypt
40 million years ago "Wadi Al-Hitan" was the bottom of the World Ocean, therefore hundreds of skeletons of ancient mammals have been preserved here. This unique valley is located 150 km southwest of the capital of Egypt - Cairo. Many of the remains of whales belong to the extinct suborder Archaeoceti, representing one of the most important stages of evolution: the rebirth of terrestrial monsters of many tons into marine mammals.
Fossil skeletons clearly show the appearance and lifestyle of these giants in their transition period. In addition, they are all located in an easy-to-study and, importantly, vigilantly protected area.
In addition, there are the remains of the Sirenia sea cows and the Moeritherium elephant seals, as well as prehistoric crocodiles, sea snakes and turtles. Some specimens are so well preserved that the contents of their vast stomachs can be examined.
Together, they help scientists unravel the still-existing mystery of the evolution of these largest mammals on the planet.
The pristine exotic of tropical forests
Kerchin-Seblat National Park is the largest nature reserve on the island of Sumatra, its area is about 13.7 thousand square meters. km. Here you can see more than 4000 species of plants, including the world's largest flower - Rafflesia Arnold, its diameter is 60-100 cm, and its weight reaches 8 kg. In addition, this area is home to about 370 species of birds and rare animals (Sumatra tigers, elephants and rhinos, Malay tapir). There are also hot springs, the highest caldera lake and the highest peak on the island. And recently, a muntjak deer was seen here, the species of which was considered extinct in the 30s of the last century.
The second largest is Gunung Loser, with an area of 7,927 sq. km. Located in the region of Aceh and in the area of the town of Bukit Lawang. This small town is considered the best starting point for exploring this exotic place. Guided tours are only permitted with a trained guide and special permission.
In this reserve, the most interesting is the large population of great apes - orangutans. Translated from the Malay language, this means "forest man".
The third largest is Bukit-Barisan-Selatan with an area of 3568 sq. km, covering the provinces of Lampung, Benkulu and South Sumatra. Here you can meet very rare animals - the Sumatran elephant and the striped rabbit.
Tourists appreciate Sumatra for its tropical forests with its pristine nature, for outlandish plants and amazing representatives of exotic fauna. In addition, there are many beautiful and still active volcanoes.
"Sistine Chapel of Primitive Painting"
"Lascaux" is located in France, 40 km from the city of Perigueux and is considered one of the most important Paleolithic monuments in terms of the quantity, quality and preservation of rock art of ancient people. The cave was accidentally discovered in 1940 by four teenagers who noticed a narrow hole in the rock formed by a falling tree. After a survey, scientists have determined that the age of the rock carvings is more than 17,300 years.
The cave is rather small in size, the totality of all its galleries is about 250 meters, and average height 30 meters. Visitors were allowed in from 1948 to 1955, but then it was closed, since the ventilation systems could not cope with the carbon dioxide that accumulated inside from the breath of numerous tourists, and the rock paintings could be damaged.
Air conditioning systems were changed several times in the last century, but they were all ineffective, and the historical heritage was periodically closed for maintenance. And only in the 21st century were powerful units installed, which successfully coped with the task.
To preserve the wall painting, they decided to copy all the images and made a concrete copy, which shows almost all the rock paintings in the same sequence as the original. The cave was named "Lasko II", it is located just 200 meters from the real one and was first discovered for travelers in 1983.
Takht-e Jamshid
Takht-e Jamshid in Greek "Persepoles" - the ruins of the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. This place is considered one of the most beautiful monuments in the history of the state of Iran. It is located on the plain of Marvdasht at the foot of Mount Ramhat and was founded by the great Persian king Darius I in 515 BC.
The area of this stone structure is 135 thousand square meters. meters, it includes the "Gates of All Nations", "Apadana Palace", "Throne Room", the tomb of the "King of Kings", an unfinished palace and treasury. The construction lasted for about 45 years and was completed during the reign of Xerxes the Great, the eldest son of Darius.
Mostly remnants of Persepoles palace complex and places of worship. The most famous of them is "Apadana" with a ceremonial hall and 72 columns. Five kilometers away is the royal tomb of Naksh Rustam and the rocky reliefs of Naksh Rustam and Naksh Rajab.
Here, in those distant times, there was already a water supply and sewerage system, and during the construction the labor of slaves was not used. The walls of this unique complex were over five meters thick and up to 150 centimeters high. One could climb to the city by the main staircase, which consisted of two flights of 111 steps of white limestone each. Then it was necessary to pass the "Gate of All Nations".
But the powerful walls did not help, and in 330 the great conqueror Alexander the Great stormed the fortified complex and during a feast in honor of the victory burned the capital of the Persian kingdom to the ground, possibly in revenge for the Acropolis destroyed by the Persians in Athens.
Cradle of humanity
The historical monument is located 50 km northwest of Johannensburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa in the south of the African continent. Its area is 474 sq. km, the complex includes limestone caves, including a group called Sterkfontein, where in 1947 Robert Bloom and John Robinson discovered the fossil remains of an ancient man - "Australopithecus africanus" 2.3 million years old.
"Taung Rock Fossil Site" - it was here in 1924 that the famous Taung skull, belonging to the oldest man... The Macapan Valley is famous for the abundance of archaeological traces found in the local caves, confirming the existence of people about 3.3 million years ago.
The fossil remains found here have helped scientists identify ancient hominid specimens dating from between 4.5 and 2.5 million years ago. These findings fully confirm the theory that our distant ancestors began to use fire already in a period of about a million years ago.
Perhaps some of the readers will think that there are a lot of numbers in our topic, but this is a story, moreover, not of some individual person, but of our entire civilization.
For a long time, people did not think about what they would leave to their descendants. Rulers were replaced, entire cultures were destroyed, and not a trace remained of them. Later, people became smarter and preserved works of art, structures of stunning beauty, interesting monuments, etc. In the end, humanity came to the conclusion that the most valuable objects should be added to a special list. Today, tourists visiting certain countries are interested in the World Heritage Abroad. The UNESCO project has long been more than successful.
World heritage
At some point, people were distracted from the consumption of resources and realized the need to protect natural and flora and fauna. This desire is expressed in a special list, the idea of which was implemented in 1972 within the framework of the Convention "On the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage", which proclaimed universal responsibility for the preservation of the most significant sites.
Today the list includes more than a thousand items, and all these monuments are located on the territory of 161 states. Among them there are picturesque corners nature and amazing creations of human hands, but some objects may surprise those who do not know by what principles this list is compiled.
Criteria
World heritage abroad and in Russia is not just buildings and natural monuments. Each object is unique in its own way and is included in the list with specific criteria. They are conventionally divided into two parts.
For artificial objects, such criteria as the reflection of the relationship of human values, the development of architecture, uniqueness or exclusivity, connection with ideas in the public domain are important. Of course, beauty and aesthetics are also taken into account. There are six key factors in total.
As for natural monuments, they should include phenomena or terrain of exceptional aesthetic qualities, represent an example of the main stages of history, geological or biological processes, or be important from the point of view of preserving the diversity of animals and flora... Only four criteria are presented.
Those located abroad or in Russia, which can be attributed approximately equally to one or the other group, are called mixed, or of cultural and natural significance. So what exactly is on the UNESCO list?
Record-breaking countries
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are highly unevenly scattered around the world. The states with the largest number of monuments are Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, Great Britain, Russia and the United States. In total, more than 350 objects are located on their territory, which is more than a third of the entire list. Almost all of these countries can be said to be the heirs of great civilizations and have natural resources. In any case, such a beginning of the list is not at all surprising.
Hand made objects
There are 779 objects in this category for 2014. This includes the most famous and significant buildings and structures in the world, many of which are symbols of their countries: Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Easter Island, Great Abu Mena in Egypt, Versailles, Athenian Acropolis, Taj Mahal, Prambanan and Borobudur temples in Indonesia, ancient Samarra, located in the modern territory of Iran, Petra in Jordan, Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan in Mexico, Cuzco in Peru, Kizhi churchyard, a church in Kolomenskoye, Stonehenge, Statue of Liberty, building It is often so difficult to single out one thing that the entire historical center of certain cities is included in the list - this is especially often observed in Europe. All the most popular tourist attractions will certainly fall into this list. But sometimes, if there are any major changes, the object "leaves" World Heritage. Two such cases are known abroad: the Elbe valley near Dresden was excluded due to the construction of a highway; the White Oryx Reserve, a special species of antelope, has been removed from the list in Oman due to a reduction in its territory and ineffective fight against poaching. Probably, the situation will change over time, but even if not, every year a special committee considers new and new proposals for the inclusion of various objects in the World Heritage abroad.
Natural Monuments
The most interesting and beautiful monuments in the category "World Heritage Abroad" - Human creation, that is, buildings, structures, etc., are also curious, but it is much more interesting to observe what was created without the help and intervention of people. The list of such monuments (for 2014) includes 197 items. Objects are located in 87 countries of the world. 19 of them are endangered (for one reason or another). By the way, the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites begins with a natural monument - Galapagos Islands who received this honor in 1978. And, perhaps, this can be called quite fair, because many very rare animals and plants live here, the archipelago is also known for its stunning views. And, ultimately, nature remains the most valuable wealth of mankind.
Mixed category
Some man-made structures are so closely related to the landscape and environment that it is difficult to call them unambiguously man-made. Or, on the contrary, a person only slightly changed what appeared as a result of geological, biological and other natural processes. In any case, the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage, represented by objects from this category, is truly unique.
There are relatively few such objects - 31, but it is simply impossible to tell even briefly about each one, they are so diverse and interesting in their own way. These include the national parks of Australia and New Zealand, Mount Athos, Machu Picchu, Meteora monasteries, wild nature Tasmania, the scenery and life of Lapland and more. It is a real miracle that all this wealth has come down to our time in this form, and the common task of mankind is to preserve this heritage for posterity.
Russia and CIS countries
On the territory of the former USSR, there are a large number of monuments included in the UNESCO list. Some are nominated as candidates. In total, there are 52 objects, including the Struve geodetic arc, located on the territory of several states.
The list includes such names as the Moscow Kremlin, Samarkand, Tauric Chersonesos, Bukhara, Lake Baikal, Lena Pillars, Putorana plateau, Sulaiman-Too mountain, etc. decide never to travel to the far abroad without exploring the native land - so diverse and interesting objects in it are presented. Well, and then you can look at the neighbors and move across three seas - there will be something to compare with.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ukraine is 7 sites at the moment, and 15 more are under consideration. Among the CIS countries, this country ranks second in terms of the number of items included in the list we are considering. These include, for example, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and in Kiev, the historical center of Lviv, the beech forest of the Carpathians.
Status
It might seem that inclusion in World Heritage Abroad is just a nice bonus, making it easier for tourists and travelers to choose where to go and what to see. But this is absolutely not the case, because many objects are under the threat of partial destruction or disappearance and need special treatment. Their inclusion in the UNESCO list allows them to additionally guarantee their safety. In addition, the addition of certain attractions to this list raises their prestige and popularity, which, in turn, attracts more tourists to the country. The development of this sector of the economy makes it possible to receive more money at the disposal of which it is possible to restore the very monuments of culture that are on the UNESCO list. So this project is useful in every way.
Objects under threat
Unfortunately, things are not so rosy. There is a special section of the list, which lists those natural and cultural monuments that are threatened with critical changes or complete disappearance. The reasons may be different: various kinds of disasters and incidents, wars, the negative impact of climate and time. Not all of this can be controlled, so that soon humanity may lose some of the sites included in the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. There are now 46 items on this "alarming" list. None of them are included in the World Heritage Site in Russia. Unfortunately, such situations are not uncommon abroad. But the committee is working in this direction.
The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in danger includes those that appeared a very long time ago - in the 3-5 millennium BC, so their importance can hardly be overestimated. Nevertheless, numerous problems, plans for construction and reconstruction, wars, floods, poaching, etc. do not yet allow us to say that these places are safe.
Committee activities
UNESCO is a huge organization dealing with a variety of problems, World Heritage Abroad is just one of them. And all issues related to this topic are decided by a special committee. It meets once a year to decide on properties to be included in the list. In addition, the committee initiates the creation of working groups that deal with the problems of individual objects. It also acts as a financial institution, highlighting cash countries-parties to the Convention upon their request. In total, the committee has 21 members. Most of them will expire in 2017.
Similar lists
Of course, cultural and natural monuments are extremely important and valuable, but humanity is striving to preserve not only them. In contrast to material objects, lists were created containing the most significant examples of creativity, areas of knowledge, etc. Since 2001, UNESCO has been keeping records of masterpieces of oral and non-material creativity. But do not think that we are talking about literary works - this list is much wider and more diverse than it seems. This includes the culinary traditions of different countries of the world, the unique skills of individual peoples, characteristic chants and dances, even falconry!
Another project designed to preserve UNESCO World Heritage Sites is called Memory of the World. And it really is something akin to a repository of various knowledge - after all, this list contains the most important documents of humanity of all times that have survived to this day. This includes films, photographs, sound recordings, paintings, manuscripts and archives of famous people.
UNESCO projects aimed at drawing attention to cultural monuments and phenomena of all kinds allow us not to forget that everyone is able to create something great, worthy to remain in history forever. They also help sometimes to stop and think how much beauty was created by ancestors and nature, and how terrible it would be to lose.