Russian Federation, Lithuania. Curonian Spit

Date of Inscription: 2000
Criteria: (v)
Localization: N55 16 28.5 E20 57 44.6
Klaipeda Region, Neringa and Klaipeda (Lithuania); Kaliningrad Region, Zelenogradsk District (Russian Federation)
Ref: 994  

 Human habitation of this elongated sand dune peninsula, 98 km long and 0.4-4 km wide, dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout this period it has been threatened by the natural forces of wind and waves. Its survival to the present day has been made possible only as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat the erosion of the Spit, dramatically illustrated by continuing stabilisation and reforestation projects.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/994

With many thanks to Julia from Kaliningrad!

Uzbekistan. Itchan Kala

Date of Inscription: 1990
Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)
Property : 26 ha
Localization: N41 22 41.988 E60 21 50.004
Khorezm region, Khiva
Ref: 543  

Itchan Kala is the inner town (protected by brick walls some 10 m high) of the old Khiva oasis, which was the last resting-place of caravans before crossing the desert to Iran. Although few very old monuments still remain, it is a coherent and well-preserved example of the Muslim architecture of Central Asia. There are several outstanding structures such as the Djuma Mosque, the mausoleums and the madrasas and the two magnificent palaces built at the beginning of the 19th century by Alla-Kulli-Khan.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/543

With many-many thanks to Alice again! :)

Uzbekistan. Bahoutdin Architectural Complex

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5306/

With many thanks to Alice!

Ireland. Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne

Date of Inscription: 1993
Criteria: (i)(iii)(iv)
Property : 770.0000 ha
Buffer zone: 2560.0000 ha
County Meath
N53 41 30.012 W6 27 0
Ref: 659  

 The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/659

With many thanks to Claudia from Ireland!

United Kingdom. Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites

Date of Inscription: 1986
Minor modification inscribed year: 2008
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)
Property : 4985.4000 ha
Buffer zone: ha
Wiltshire, England
N51 10 44 W1 49 31
Ref: 373bis  

 Stonehenge and Avebury, in Wiltshire, are among the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. The two sanctuaries consist of circles of menhirs arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored. These holy places and the nearby Neolithic sites are an incomparable testimony to prehistoric times.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/373

With many thanks to my dear Leslie again! :) 

United Kingdom. Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

Date of Inscription: 1995
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
Lothian Region, Scotland
N55 57 W3 13
Ref: 728  
 
Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neoclassical New Town, whose development from the 18th century onwards had a far-reaching influence on European urban planning. The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/728

With many thanks to Leslie again!

United Kingdom. Blenheim Palace

The Grand Bridge

Date of Inscription: 1987
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
Oxfordshire, England
N51 50 31 W1 21 41
Ref: 425  
 
Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown. It was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops. Built between 1705 and 1722 and characterized by an eclectic style and a return to national roots, it is a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/425

With many thanks to Leslie again!

United Kingdom. Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church

Date of Inscription: 1987
Minor modification inscribed year: 2008
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Property : 10.2600 ha
Buffer zone: ha
City of Westminster, London, England
N51 29 59 E0 7 43
Ref: 426bis  
 
Westminster Palace, rebuilt from the year 1840 on the site of important medieval remains, is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture. The site – which also comprises the small medieval Church of Saint Margaret, built in Perpendicular Gothic style, and Westminster Abbey, where all the sovereigns since the 11th century have been crowned – is of great historic and symbolic significance.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/426

With many thanks to my dear friend Leslie!

Portugal. Cultural Landscape of Sintra

Date of Inscription: 1995
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(v)
Property : 946.0000 ha
Buffer zone: 3641.0000 ha
Sintra/Serra
N38 46 59.988 W9 25 0.012
Ref: 723  

 In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees. Other fine dwellings, built along the same lines in the surrounding serra, created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/723

With many thanks to Nela from Portugal!

Egypt. Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur

Date of Inscription: 1979
Criteria: (i)(iii)(vi)
Property : 16358.5200 ha
Governorate of Giza
N29 58 33.744 E31 7 49.476
Ref: 86  
 

The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/86

With many thanks to Irina from Moscow and to Farah from Cairo!