Inscribing Gingee Fort in UNESCO World Heritage list is proud moment for TN: CM
This majestic hill fortress now joins Tamil Nadu's proud list of #UNESCO sites including the Great… pic.twitter.com/ucQNdkgVeV
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Top 10 countries with most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025; check where India ranks
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are not just monuments from the past—they're living symbols of culture, history, architecture, and biodiversity. From Italy's iconic Roman ruins to India's majestic palaces and sacred temples, these landmarks reflect a nation's soul and legacy. As of 2025, there are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, spanning continents and civilisations. Countries with the most such sites attract travellers, historians, and conservationists alike. While Italy leads the global list, India stands strong in fifth position, showcasing its cultural diversity. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or a heritage enthusiast, these countries offer timeless experiences etched in stone and story. What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and how many are there A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its outstanding universal value. These can be cultural, natural, or mixed sites that showcase the world's rich history, artistic achievement, ecological diversity, and scientific heritage. Examples range from temples, forts, and archaeological ruins to rainforests, mountain ranges, and marine reserves. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Such recognition ensures international protection and encourages sustainable tourism and conservation. As of July 2025, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are spread across 168 countries worldwide, reflecting the rich cultural and natural heritage of humanity. During the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, 26 new sites were officially inscribed, further expanding the global heritage list. Top 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2025) Italy – 60 Sites Source: Vogue Italy holds the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a rich tapestry of Roman ruins, Renaissance art, medieval cities, and natural beauty. From the Colosseum and Venice to Sicily's archaeological zones, each site reflects centuries of cultural, architectural, and historical influence across Europe and the Mediterranean. China – 59 Sites China's UNESCO sites highlight its imperial heritage, religious architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the Forbidden City and Great Wall to the sacred Mount Tai and classical gardens of Suzhou, these sites reflect China's long-standing civilization, philosophical depth, and artistic expression spanning over 5,000 years of recorded history. Germany – 54 Sites Germany's UNESCO list includes Gothic cathedrals, castles, and modern-era industrial sites. Sites such as Cologne Cathedral, the Wadden Sea, and Bauhaus buildings showcase a nation balancing medieval traditions with cutting-edge innovation, reflecting its complex history, architectural advancements, and commitment to natural preservation. France – 53 Sites France's heritage includes grand palaces, prehistoric caves, Gothic cathedrals, and natural wonders. With landmarks like the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, and Vézère Valley, France's sites highlight its impact on global art, science, monarchy, and religion throughout centuries of European development. Spain - 50 sites Source: Vogue Spain ranks in the top five with 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites showcasing its rich cultural legacy. Highlights include the Alhambra in Granada, Gaudí's architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, and Córdoba's Mezquita-Catedral. The Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route, offers scenic and spiritual experiences across Spain's diverse landscapes and towns. India – 44 Sites Source: Britannica India's UNESCO sites span ancient temples, Mughal forts, Buddhist caves, and diverse ecological zones. With iconic locations like the Taj Mahal, Hampi, Kaziranga National Park, and Sanchi Stupa, India presents a vivid mix of spirituality, architecture, biodiversity, and centuries-old cultural heritage rooted in civilization and philosophy. United Kingdom – 35 Sites The UK's UNESCO heritage ranges from prehistoric monuments to industrial revolution landmarks. Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall, and Blenheim Palace illustrate the nation's royal, scientific, and military history. Natural sites like the Giant's Causeway underscore the geological and mythological richness of the British Isles. Russia - 33 sites Source: National Geographic Kids Russia's 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites reflect a blend of rich cultural history and natural beauty. Key highlights include the architectural splendor of Saint Petersburg, the political and cultural significance of Moscow's Kremlin and Red Square, and the pristine Lake Baikal—Earth's deepest freshwater lake and a globally recognized ecological treasure. Iran – 28 Sites Iran's heritage reflects its ancient Persian roots, with sites such as Persepolis, Golestan Palace, and the Bam Citadel. The country's UNESCO entries showcase advanced engineering, Persian art, and religious architecture, making Iran a crossroads of cultural, historical, and architectural significance in the Middle East. Japan – 26 Sites Source: State Department UNESCO is renowned for recognising World Heritage Sites—places of exceptional cultural or natural significance. Japan boasts 26 such sites, including 21 cultural locations like temples and historic villages, and 5 natural sites such as Yakushima Island. These designations highlight Japan's rich heritage and its commitment to preserving global cultural and ecological treasures. Also Read | Germany's iconic and most-visited fairytale castle is now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
UNESCO names 26 new World Heritage Sites including Maratha Military Landscapes from India
Source: UNESCO From ancient forts to breathtaking canyons, UNESCO has added 26 new properties to the World Heritage List during its session in Paris. These include 21 cultural sites, four natural landscapes, and one mixed site. Notably, India's own Maratha Military Landscapes—a network of 12 historical forts—have earned UNESCO recognition, marking India's 44th World Heritage site. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or travel junkie, this global update highlights the diversity and significance of our shared heritage. Here is a list of all the important World Heritage Sites added by UNESCO in their official list. List of 26 new sites added in UNESCO World Heritage list S NO. Site Name Country / Region Type 1 Cambodian Memorial Sites Cambodia (3 locations) Cultural 2 Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal Tajikistan Cultural 3 Diy‑Gid‑Biy Cultural Landscape Cameroon Cultural 4 Faya Palaeolandscape UAE Cultural 5 Forest Research Institute Park Malaysia Cultural 6 Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia Italy Cultural 7 Maratha Military Landscapes India Cultural 8 Megaliths of Carnac France Cultural 9 Minoan Palatial Centres Greece Cultural 10 Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape Malawi Cultural 11 Murujuga Cultural Landscape Australia Cultural 12 Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream South Korea Cultural 13 Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave Russia Cultural 14 Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe Türkiye Cultural 15 17th‑Century Port Royal Jamaica Cultural 16 Colonial Transisthmian Route Panama Cultural 17 Palaces of King Ludwig II Germany Cultural 18 Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley Iran Cultural 19 Wixarika Route to Wirikuta Mexico Cultural 20 Xixia Imperial Tombs China Cultural 21 Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex Vietnam Cultural 22 Cavernas do Peruacu National Park Brazil Natural 23 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós Guinea‑Bissau Natural 24 Gola‑Tiwai Complex Sierra Leone Natural 25 Peruaçu River Canyon Brazil Natural 26 Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs Denmark Natural New UNESCO World Heritage sites 2025 Cambodian Memorial Sites (Cambodia) Source: UNESCO Three powerful memorials—Tuol Sleng prison, Choeung Ek killing fields, and M-13 detention centre—stand as stark reminders of Khmer Rouge atrocities. UNESCO honours these as essential testaments to historical memory, trauma education, and healing, ensuring global awareness of genocide's lessons. Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) Source: UNESCO The Khuttal site preserves medieval Central Asian culture through mosques, mausoleums, caravanserais, and ancient water systems. Dating from the 9th–12th centuries, it reveals intricate Islamic architecture, vibrant trade networks, and regional heritage in Tajik history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Diy‑Gid‑Biy Cultural Landscape (Cameroon) Source: UNESCO In North-West Cameroon, this landscape blends terraced farmland, sacred forests, and communal villages. It embodies Bamileke spiritual customs, showcasing how cultural identity and ecological harmony co‑exist through ancestral agricultural practices and social tradition. Faya Palaeolandscape (UAE) Source: UNESCO This prehistoric site houses 100,000‑year‑old archaeological evidence, including stone tools and remains of ancient settlements. UNESCO highlighted how it offers insight into early human migration patterns and environmental adaptation in the Arabian desert. Forest Research Institute Park (Malaysia) Source: UNESCO As per UNESCO official reports, FRIM, founded in 1929, is a botanical research haven near Kuala Lumpur. It combines colonial‑era architecture with lush tropical forests and early conservation efforts—making it a model of urban biodiversity and environmental education. Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia (Italy) Source: UNESCO Sardinia's rock‑cut tombs—Giants' Tombs and domus de janas—date to the Bronze Age. Carved into limestone cliffs, they reflect ancient burial traditions, illustrating early Sardinian ritual culture and impressive prehistoric craftsmanship. Maratha Military Landscapes (India) Source: UNESCO A network of twelve forts—including Raigad, Shivneri, and Gingee—spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Built between the 17th–19th centuries,they showcase Maratha military strategy, adaptive architecture, and regional defence innovations, marking a crucial period in Indian history. Megaliths of Carnac (France) Source: UNESCO Home to over 3,000 Neolithic standing stones, dolmens, and burial mounds from 4500–3300 BCE. Carnac is one of the world's largest prehistoric megalith complexes, offering archaeological and astronomical insights into ancient European society. Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) Source: UNESCO Including Knossos and Phaistos, these Bronze‑Age palaces feature advanced architecture, frescoed walls, drainage systems, and ceremonial spaces. They epitomize the cultural sophistication of the Minoan civilization on Crete between 2000–1400 BCE. Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi) Source: UNESCO As per UNESCO reports, Mount Mulanje combines sacred peaks over 3,000 m with ritual forests and sacred water sources. Local communities regard it as spiritually significant, blending biodiversity conservation with ancestral cultural traditions. Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) Source: UNESCO Located on Burrup Peninsula, this site preserves over a million Aboriginal rock engravings depicting marine life and ancestral stories. It's the world's largest petroglyph collection and a living testament to Indigenous heritage. Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream (South Korea) Source: UNESCO Riverside rock carvings from the Bronze Age depicting deer, humans, and geometric motifs. These engravings provide rare insights into ritual symbolism and prehistoric social life in the Korean Peninsula. Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave (Russia) Source: UNESCO These Ice‑Age cave paintings in the southern Urals feature ancient depictions of animals and abstract symbols, dating back 14,000 years. They offer an invaluable window into early human art and spirituality. Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Türkiye) Source: UNESCO Near ancient Sardis, this site includes monumental burial tumuli and urban underlines how it reflects royal Lydian funerary traditions and highlights the region's significance in Iron Age Anatolian history. 17th‑Century Port Royal (Jamaica) Source: UNESCO Once a notorious pirate haven, Port Royal was rich in colonial architecture and seafaring culture. Devastated by the 1692 earthquake, its submerged ruins preserve a dramatic chapter of Caribbean colonial life. Colonial Transisthmian Route (Panama) Source: UNESCO Stretching across the Isthmus of Panama, this historic route includes colonial roads, mule trails, and ports. It served early global transit between the Caribbean and Pacific, symbolising early trade and conquest. Palaces of King Ludwig II (Germany) Source: UNESCO Three 19th‑century Bavarian palaces—Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee—blend romantic aesthetics, technological daring, and fairy‑tale grandeur. They embody King Ludwig II's artistic vision and architectural extravagance. Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley (Iran) Source: UNESCO According to UNESCO reports,this valley holds Bronze‑to‑Iron Age forts, necropolises, and rock‑cut tombs in western Iran. It reveals early fortified settlements and fortified architecture from ancient highland communities. Wixarika Route to Wirikuta (Mexico) Source: UNESCO A sacred pilgrimage path for the Wixarika (Huichol) people, leading to the desert site of Wirikuta. This route supports peyote rituals, spiritual journeying, and Indigenous cultural continuity. Xixia Imperial Tombs (China) Source: UNESCO Near Yinchuan, these 11th–13th century mausoleums of the Tangut-led Xixia dynasty reveal sophisticated funerary architecture and a fusion of Buddhist rituals and regional power expressions. Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex (Vietnam) Source: UNESCO A revered Buddhist landscape on Yen Tu Mountain, featuring temples, pagodas, and pilgrimage trails built between the 14th–18th centuries. UNESCO highlighted how it's central to Vietnam's spiritual heritage and medieval religious architecture. Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park (Brazil) Source: UNESCO This natural site combines vast limestone caves with prehistoric rock art and biodiversity-rich forests. Its geological formations and rare artworks represent both ecological and archaeological value. Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós (Guinea‑Bissau) Source: UNESCO An unspoiled archipelago of mangroves, sandbanks, and coastal wetlands. UNESCO reports that it supports endangered species such as manatees and serves as a key migratory bird habitat, revered for its ecological significance. Gola‑Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) Source: UNESCO A rainforest corridor linking Gola Forest and Tiwai Island. This biodiversity hotspot shelters endangered species like chimpanzees and pygmy hippos and highlights community-led conservation efforts. Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil) Source: UNESCO Known for its rugged canyons, waterfalls, and endemic biodiversity. Its unique riverine landscape sustains diverse cerrado ecosystems and preserves both scenic and ecological importance. Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs (Denmark) Source: UNESCO Dramatic white chalk cliffs along the Baltic Sea, rich in Cretaceous‑era fossils. Their steep escarpments and delicate flora make them a geological marvel and scenic coastal treasure. Also read| Germany's iconic and most-visited fairytale castle is now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
A Monumental Moment: UNESCO Names Maratha Military Landscape Among 2025 Heritage Sites
Last Updated: Standing as a symbol of their valour and vision, the 12 forts of the Maratha Empire have been added in the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2025. Maratha forts and landscapes are now part of the World Heritage List for 2025, as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee added 26 new properties to the popular tourist sites at its 47th session in Paris. At a time when cultural and historical sites are in dire need of protection and revival, a World Heritage tag goes a long way, promoting shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values) recognised in sites across 196 countries. Of the 26 new properties added to the World Heritage List, 21 sites are cultural and four are natural, while one other has been slotted by UNESCO into the mixed category. ' Maratha Military Landscapes of India ' has become the 44th property in India to receive the global recognition of being included in the World Heritage List. Spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the network of forts and strategic military posts associated with Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other Maratha warriors reflects the brave history and past glory of the empire that ruled significant parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 17th to the 19th century. 'Just a few days ago, I visited the Raigad Fort and had a spiritual experience of the symbols associated with the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These forts have been the main pillars of protection of Hindu Swaraj, and from here, crores of countrymen have been getting continuous inspiration towards their mother language and culture." Here is a list of 26 new sites added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO globally. 1. Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (Cambodia) 2. Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) 3. Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (Cameroon) 4. Faya Palaeolandscape (United Arab Emirates) 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Forest Park Selangor (Malaysia) 6. Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas (Italy) 7. Maratha Military Landscapes of India (India) 8. Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan (France) 9. Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) 10. Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi) 11. Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) 12. Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (Republic of Korea) 13. Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave (Russian Federation) 14. Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Turkiye) 15. The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (Jamaica) 16. The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panama (Panama) 17. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee (Germany) 18. The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (Iran) 19. Wixarika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuari Huajuye) (Mexico) 20. Xixia Imperial Tombs (China) 21. Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes (Viet Nam) 22. Cavernas do Peruacu National Park (Brazil) 23. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagos Archipelago – Omati Minho (Guinea-Bissau) 24. Gola-Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) 25. Mons Klint (Denmark) 26. Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
