UNESCO World Heritage Sites
This index lists all UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are religious in nature for countries A-J. Links go to UNESCO's description of the site (for now). Dates refer to the date of inscription as a World Heritage Site. Click here for UNESCO sites in countries K-Z.
Afghanistan
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (2002)
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (2003)
Algeria
Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad (1980) - Islamic city with mosque ruins
Djémila (1982) - Roman town with temple ruins
Tassili n'Ajjer (1982) - ancient cave art
Timgad (1982) - Roman town built by Trajan
Tipasa (1982) - Phoenician, Roman, palaeochristian and Byzantine ruins
Kasbah of Algiers (1992) - Islamic city with mosque and palace ruins
Argentina
San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (1983) - Jesuit sites
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas (1999) - ancient cave art
Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba (2000) - Jesuit site
Armenia
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (1996, 2000) - Byzantine monasteries
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots (2000)
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley (2000) - monastery, churches and tombs
Austria
Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg (1996) - former ecclesiastical city-state
Wachau Cultural Landscape (2000) - includes Melk Abbey and other monasteries
Azerbaijan
Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (2000) - Zoroastrian, Sassanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian cultures
Bangladesh
Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat (1985) - many mosques and Islamic monuments
Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (1985) - Buddhist monastery
Belgium
Flemish Béguinages (1998) - communities of Flemish nuns
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai (2000)
Bolivia
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos (1990 - Jesuit site
Historic City of Sucre (1991) - many churches
Fuerte de Samaipata (1998) - ancient ceremonial site
Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture (2000) - pre-Columbian city
Botswana
Tsodilo (2001) - ancient cave art, still a sacred site
Brazil
Historic Town of Ouro Preto (1980) - center of gold rush, many Baroque churches
Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (1982) - 20 Baroque churches, convents and chapels
Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (1984) - Jesuit site
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas (1985) - 18th century church complex
Serra da Capivara National Park (1991) - ancient cave art
Bulgaria
Boyana Church (1979) - well-preserved east European medieval art
Madara Rider (1979) - primary sacred place before converstion to Christianity
Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (1979) - 4th cent. BC Hellenistic period
Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo (1979) - carved by 12th century hermits
Rila Monastery (1983) - founded 10th century, rebuilt 19th century
Ancient City of Nessebar (1983) - temple of Apollo from Greek period, Byzantine basilica from Middle Ages
Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (1985) - 3rd century BC tomb with unique features
Cambodia
Angkor (1992) - 9th to 15th century Hindu/Buddhist temple complex
Canada
SGaang Gwaii (Anthony Island) (1981) - remains of the culture of the Haida people
Historic District of Québec (1985) - includes colonial churches, convents and other monuments
Chile
Rapa Nui National Park (1995) - Easter Island
Churches of Chiloé (2000) - Jesuit and Franciscan wooden churches
Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso (2003) - hillsides dotted with a variety of church spires
China
Mogao Caves (1987) - 492 cells and cave sanctuaries with Buddhist wall art and sculptures
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (1987) - famous terracotta statues of warriors
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (1987) - important prehistoric site
Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (1994) - "Temples of various architectural styles and imperial gardens blend harmoniously into a landscape of lakes, pastureland and forests."
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (1994)
Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (1994) - contains Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century
Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (1994, 2000, 2001) - center of Tibetan Buddhism
Lushan National Park (1996) - Buddhist and Taoist temples, along with landmarks of Confucianism
Ancient City of Ping Yao (1997) - well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city
Classical Gardens of Suzhou (1997, 2000) - reflect the profound metaphysical importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (1998) - 15th century religious complex used by the emperor
Dazu Rock Carvings (1999) - 9th to the 13th century rock carvings of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian elements as well as everyday life
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (2000) - birthplace of Taoism; many temples
Longmen Grottoes (2000) - Buddhist sculptures of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907)
Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (2000, 2003,2004) - designed in keeping with the Chinese principles of geomancy (feng-shui) and provide outstanding evidence of Chinese beliefs and traditions
Yungang Grottoes (2001) - 5th and 6th century Buddhist caves; 252 caves and 51,000 statues
Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (2004) - three cities and 40 tombs of the Koguryo culture
Colombia
Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox (1995) - well-preserved Spanish colonial city
National Archeological Park of Tierradentro (1995) - pre-Hispanic (6th-10th century) tombs and monuments
San Agustín Archeological Park (1995) - largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America (1st-8th century)
Croatia
Old City of Dubrovnik (1979, 1994) - Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.
Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979) - ruins of Diocletian's palace, medieval cathedral, Romanesque churches
Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč (1997) - Christianity established here in the 4th century; the most complete surviving complex of its type
Historic City of Trogir (1997) - Hellenistic ruins, beautiful Romanesque churches
The Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik (2000) - illustrate the successful fusion of Gothic and Renaissance art
Cuba
Old Havana and its Fortifications (1982) - Baroque and Neoclassical churches
Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios (1988) - founded in honor of the Holy Trinity
Cyprus
Paphos (1980)
Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (1985, 2001)
Choirokoitia (1998)
Czech Republic
Historic Centre of Prague (1992)
Historic Centre of Český Krumlov (1992)
Historic Centre of Telč (1992)
Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora (1994)
Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec (1995)
Holašovice Historical Village Reservation (1998) - well-preserved churches and buildings in South Bohemian Folk Baroque style
Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (2000) - Baroque religious memorial column
Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Trebíc (2003)
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Complex of Koguryo Tombs (2004)
Denmark
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church (1994)
Roskilde Cathedral (1995)
Dominican Republic
Colonial City of Santo Domingo (1990)
Ecuador
City of Quito (1978)
Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca (1999)
Egypt
Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (1979)
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (1979)
Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (1979)
Islamic Cairo (1979)
Abu Mena (1979)
Saint Catherine Area (2002)
El Salvador
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site (1993) - a central American version of Pompeii
Estonia
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn (1997) - crusader castles and historic churches
Ethiopia
Rock-hewn Churches, Lalibela (1978)
Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region (1979) - palaces, churches, monasteries and unique public and private buildings marked by Hindu, Arab and Jesuit influences
Lower Valley of the Awash (1980)
Tiya (1980) - important archaeological site featuring monuments carved with mysterious symbols
Aksum (1980) - the heart of the ancient Ethiopian kingdom, with monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and ancient castles
Lower Valley of the Omo (1980) - prehistoric site where important human and pre-human fossils have been discovered
Finland
Old Rauma (1991) -old Nordic wooden city built around a Franciscan monastery
Petäjävesi Old Church (1994)
Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki (1999)
France
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay (1979)
Chartres Cathedral (1979)
Vézelay, Church and Hill (1979)
Decorated Grottoes of the Vézère Valley (1979)
Amiens Cathedral (1981)
Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the "Triumphal Arch" of Orange (1981)
Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles (1981)
Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay (1981)
Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe (1983) - called the "Romanesque Sistine Chapel" for its 11th- and 12th-century frescoes
Strasbourg - Grande île (1988)
Paris, Banks of the Seine (1991)
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi and Palace of Tau, Reims (1991)
Bourges Cathedral (1992)
Historic Centre of Avignon (1995) - includes papal palace and cathedral
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (1997) - center of the crusade against the Cathari
Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France (1998)
Historic Site of Lyons (1998)
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion (1999) - vineyards and churches along the Santiago pilgrimage route
Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia (1999)
Georgia
City-Museum Reserve of Mtskheta (1994) - historic churches that are "outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture in the Caucasus"
Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (1994)
Germany
Aachen Cathedral (1978)
Speyer Cathedral (1981)
Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square (1981)
Pilgrimage Church of Wies (1983)
St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Michael's Church at Hildesheim (1985)
Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier (1986)
Hanseatic City of Lübeck (1987)
Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch (1991)
Maulbronn Monastery Complex (1993)
Town of Bamberg (1993)
Collegiate Church, Castle, and Old Town of Quedlinburg (1994)
Cologne Cathedral (1996)
Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau (1996)
Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg (1996)
Classical Weimar (1998)
Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin (1999) - five important museums
Wartburg Castle (1999) - Martin Luther's hiding place
Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz (2000)
Monastic Island of Reichenau (2000)
Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar (2002) - containing several important brick cathedrals
Greece
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (1986)
Archaeological Site of Delphi (1987)
Acropolis, Athens (1987)
Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika (1988)
Archaeological Site of Epidaurus (1988)
Medieval City of Rhodes (1988)
Mystras (1989)
Archaeological Site of Olympia (1989)
Delos (1990)
Monasteries of Daphni, Hossios Luckas and Nea Moni of Chios (1990)
Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (1992)
Archaeological Site of Vergina (1996)
Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999)
Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint John "the Theologian" and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos (1999)
Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala (1979)
Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua (1981)
Haiti
National History Park - Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers (1982)
Honduras
Maya Site of Copan (1980)
Hungary
Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue (1987, 2002)
Old Village of Hollókö and its Surroundings (1987)
Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment (1996)
Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae) (2000)
Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape (2001)
Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape (2002)
India
Ajanta Caves (1983)
Ellora Caves (1983)
Taj Mahal (1983)
Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
Elephanta Caves (1987)
Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993) - architectural predecessor to the Taj Mahal
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993) - old mosques
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) - with ancient rock paintings
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004) - Islamic and Hindu site, still a place of Hindu pilgrimage
Indonesia
Borobudur Temple Compounds (1991)
Prambanan Temple Compounds (1991)
Sangiran Early Man Site (1996)
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Tchogha Zanbil (1979) - ruins of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam
Persepolis (1979) - town with temples founded by Darius I in 518 BC
Meidan Emam, Esfahan (1979)
Takht-e Soleyman (2003)
Pasargadae (2004)
Bam and its Cultural Landscape (2004)
Iraq
Hatra (1985)
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (2003)
Ireland
Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne (1993) - Newgrange and other prehistoric tombs
Skellig Michael (1996)
Israel
Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba (2005) - settlement mounds with biblical connections
Masada (2001)
Old City of Acre (2001)
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (1981)
Italy
Rock Drawings in Valcamonica (1979)
Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See... and San Paolo Fuori le Mura (1980, 1990)
Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci (1980)
Historic Centre of Florence (1982)
Vatican City (1984)
Venice and its Lagoon (1987)
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (1987)
Historic Centre of San Gimignano (1990)
I Sassi di Matera (1993) - paleolithic troglodyte settlement
City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (1994, 1996)
Historic Centre of Siena (1995)
Historic Centre of Naples (1995)
Castel del Monte (1996) - combination of classic, Islamic and Cistercian architecture
Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (1996)
Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (1996)
Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (1997)
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (1997)
Costiera Amalfitana (1997)
Archaeological Area of Agrigento (1997)
Villa Romana del Casale (1997) - finest in situ mosaics in the Roman world
Su Nuraxi di Barumini (1997)
Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (1998)
Historic Centre of Urbino (1998)
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (1998)
City of Verona (2000)
Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (2000)
Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-eastern Sicily) (2002)
Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy (2003)
Val d'Orcia (2004)
Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (2004)
Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica (2005)
Japan
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (1993)
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (1994)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (1996)
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (1996)
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (1998)
Shrines and Temples of Nikko (1999)
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (2000) - represents survival of ancient religion
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (2004)
Jordan
Petra (1985)
Quseir Amra (1985) - Umayyad fortress with secular art
Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (2004) - archaeological site with churches, mosaics and stylite pillars
