Today, there are 962 locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A common misconception is that all of them are man-made. Only 745 were constructed by human hands alone, while another 188 are naturally occurring, and the last 29 are mixed: part nature and part artifice. But with nearly a thousand sites on the list, and a diverse range of criteria used to judge each, it is inevitable that some are bound to be more impressive than others. Yet every year, people plan holidays around UNESCO designated sites, countries benefit from the influx of tourist attention, and there is much dispute about whether sites should be added or removed from the roster. So, while it would take ages to evaluate each, we can nonetheless offer this guide to the best of UNESCO. If you stick with the sites on this list, you are sure to be impressed, inspired, and educated by the wonders you find on your next trip.
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Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
Located off the east coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef was described by National Geographic as the “largest structure on Earth built by living organisms.” Spanning more than 2000km north to south, its total area is about 350,000 square kilometers.
Angkor Wat (Cambodia)
Though not quite as big as the Great Barrier Reef, the sheer size of Angkor Wat is astounding. Built in the 9th-15th centuries by the Khmer people with only hand tools, horses, and elephants, the temple complex is larger than New York City.
The Great Wall (China)
Another monstrous engineering accomplishment, the Great Wall is visible from the moon, and spans some 21,196 kilometers. It was started in the 7th century BC, but the largest sections were completed between 220-206 BC under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
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Vatican City (Italy)
Housings many of the most important works of the Renaissance period and standing as the pinnacle of Baroque architecture, the Vatican is an independent state spanning 44 hectares. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the works of Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Da Vinci are amongst its treasures.
Old City of Jerusalem (Israel)
Perhaps the most important and hotly disputed religious site on the planet, Jerusalem is home to Temple Mount, the Church of Holy Sepulcher, Dome of the Rock, and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Banks of the Seine (France)
Though a somewhat unconventional selection, the Banks of the Seine River in Paris wind past Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais des Champs Elysees, and Sante Chapelle. Dotted with booksellers, artists, and iconic boats, the banks have shaped Parisian history and continue to do so today.
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Sagrada Familia (Spain)
Gaudi’s uncompleted masterpiece has become an icon of Barcelona’s skyline, and ranks amongst the most impressive building projects ever undertaken.
Brandenburg Gate (Germany)
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate was rebuilt as a neoclassical arch in the 18th century, and has been the site of much controversy, celebration, and political upheaval. Both Ronald Regan and Napoleon have stood beneath it during important world-changing moments in history.
Taj Mahal (India)
Located in Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal was built from white marble between 1632-1653 by the Mughal emperor as a mausoleum for his wife. Today, it is seen both as an architectural wonder of the world, and as one of humanity’s greatest monuments to love.
Machu Picchu (Peru)
Built by the Incas high in the Andes for unknown purposes––and abandoned in the 16th century amidst equally puzzling circumstances––Machu Piccu is an architectural wonder shrouded in mystery.
Determining which sites qualify as possessing “outstanding universal value” is a tricky business. Not only is it largely a subjective matter, it is also a criteria that must change over time according to our evolving value systems. In many ways, pinpointing universal value is an impossible task. How can one person, or even a large group of people, accurately guess the values of those they have never met and cultures they have never lived amongst?
In any event, it seems clear that most of the places on UNESCO’s list are treasures worth cherishing. The ten listed above have resonated as particularly meaningful to countless people throughout the world, and will remain so for years, decades, and hopefully many centuries to come.
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