World Heritage

Of the up to 800 sites included on the World Heritage List, thirteen are in Portugal. With its long History, beautiful and natural landscapes, the country has seen the value of its cultural and natural patrimony recognized, and thus placed among the 15 countries better inscribed.

Portuguese property inscribed in the List of the Humankind Heritage:

• Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroísmo, in the Azores (1983)

  

• Monastery of Jerónimos and Tower of Belém, in Lisbon (1983)

  

• Monastery of Batalha (1983)

  

• Covent of Christ, in Tomar (1983)

  

• Historic Centre of Évora (1988)

  

• Monastery of Alcobaça (1989)

  

• Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)

  

• Historic Centre of Porto (1996)

  

• Preshistoric Rock-Art Sites in the Côa Valley (1998)

  

• The Laurissilva Forest of Madeira (1999)

  

• Historic Centre of Guimarães (2001)

  

• Alto Douro Wine Region (2001)

  

• Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, in the Azores (2004)

  

2005

The letter of Pêro Vaz de Caminha was also inscribed in the Registration of the World Memory, a programme created by UNESCO in 1992 to protect the documental heritage of humankind.

In what concerns the cultural heritage, Portugal has been given the privilege of cultural relations with its brother/neighbouring countries, with whom the country has maintained historical relations. In this context, we may also refer the promotion to World Heritage of cultural properties of Portuguese origin in a non-national context. Examples are the Portuguese Citadel of Mazagão/AlJadida in Morocco and the Historical Centre of Macau.

Useful links:

• UNESCO
• Commissão Nacional da Unesco - Portugal Portuguese National Commission for Unesco
• Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico Portuguese Institute of the Architectonic Patrimony
• Instituto Português de Museus Portuguese Institute of Museums
• Instituto Português de Conservação e Restauro Portuguese Conservation and Restoration Institute
• Instituto Português de Arqueologia Portuguese Institute of Archaeology
• Instituto Português do Livro e das Bibliotecas Portuguese Institute of Books and Libraries
• Centro Nacional de Cultura Culture National Centre
• Instituto da Conservação da natureza Institute of Nature Conservation
• Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais General Direction for National Buildings and Monuments