New UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2019
38 candidates were competing for the coveted title. During the meeting from July 5 to 7 in the Azerbaijani Baku, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced the "newcomers".
Augsburg's historical water management, Germany
500 years of water management: Brooks and artificial canals run through the Bavarian city for over 150 kilometers (93 mi). In the Middle Ages they powered mills and sawmills. The oldest water towers in Central Europe and magnificent fountains such as the Hercules Fountain (picture) are top sights.
The mining region of the Erzgebirge/ Krušnohoří
Today, the German-Czech border runs through the middle of the Erzgebirge. On both sides, over 800 years of mining and metalworking have shaped local traditions. First of all, silver was mined — for example in the "Alte Elisabeth" colliery (picture) in Freiberg in Saxony —, and later uranium. This cross-border application for World Heritage Site status comprises a total of 22 single sites.
Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Proposal List since 1996. The decision finally regognises the importance of the 900-year-old royal city. Over 2,500 temples, mostly built of brick, are still preserved. The oldest buildings date back to the 11th century. Bagan would be the second world heritage in Myanmar after the ruined cities of the Pyu people.
Babylon, Iraq
A highly political world heritage: The ruins of mankind's oldest metropolis were badly damaged during the war in Iraq. Now the 4,000-year-old legendary Babylon is placed under UNESCO protection. The buildings include parts of the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar, the foundation of the biblical tower of Babel, the Ninmaḫ temple (picture) and many more.
Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi National Park, Canada
The 18 square kilometer (11 square mile) area with its stone cliffs is one of the spiritual places of the Blackfoot natives. Their magical rock paintings and stone carvings are probably up to 9,000 years old. A hiking trail, the Hoodoo Trail, leads to the highlights.
Risco Caido, Spain
The cave settlement of Risco Caido, only discovered in 1996 in the volcanic basin of Tejeda, is an impressive example of the archaeological heritage of the Mediterranean island of Gran Canaria. It also includes mystical places of worship. It is believed that here indigenous people celebrated the sun as a life-giver with rituals and ceremonies.
Jodrell Bank Observatory, Great Britain
Since 1957 it has been observing distant galaxies, tracking pulsars and quasars. The Lovell Telescope is the heart of the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Withington, near Manchester. It is the world's first large mobile radio telescope — and with a diameter of 76 meters (249 feet) it is still the third largest in the world.
Great Pskov historical center, Russia
The town of Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in 903. In the Middle Ages it was a border fortress, a hanseatic city and a spiritual and cultural center. Historical buildings such as the Pskov Kremlin, numerous monasteries and churches and the Trinity Cathedral (picture) testify to this.
Hycranian Forest, Iran
In Iran there are a number of world heritage sites, including the ruined city of Persepolis. No less fascinating is the nature between the Alborz Mountains and the Caspian Sea. Here you will find huge primeval forests. A multitude of tree species can only be found here. Protecting them from destructive exploitation and preserving their biodiversity could be helped by the World Heritage title.
Liangzhu Archaeological Sites, China
In the Lake Tai area in the lower Yangtze valley, archaeologists in the 1970s discovered graves (picture) from the time between 3300 and 2300 BC. They were only one of many surprises of this prehistoric city: It also provides the oldest evidence for large hydraulic engineering plants in China, a complex system of dams, canals and water reservoirs.
Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, tombs of ancient Japan
From the 3rd century hill graves, or "Kofun", were established in Japan. Particularly impressive are the Mozu hill tombs of Sakai with their keyhole-shaped burial mound. The one of the emperor Nintoku, 840 meters ( 2756 ft.) long, is one of the largest ruler tombs in the world — on a par with the tomb of the first Qin emperor in China and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
Neo-Confucian Academies, Korea
Seowon — this is the name of the nine private, neo-Confucian academies in Korea. The first was founded in 1543. The academies with their intentionally simple architecture are something like village schools in which the spiritual heritage of Confucianism is preserved and passed on to the younger generation. Long regarded as old-fashioned, they are now experiencing a renaissance.