Heritage with Related Tags
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
This 13th-century "New Jerusalem" consists of 11 medieval monumental cave churches located in the mountains of central Ethiopia, near a traditional village of round dwellings. Lalibela is the holiest site for Ethiopian Christianity and remains a site of pilgrimage and devotion.
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem
This listed site, 10 km south of Jerusalem, has been identified by Christian tradition since the 2nd century AD as the birthplace of Jesus. A church was first built on the site in 339 AD, and after a fire in the 6th century AD, it was replaced by a building that retains the original building's exquisite floor mosaics. The site also includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian monasteries and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and pilgrimage routes.
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro
The five Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda were built in the final stages of the conversion of the Mexican interior to Christianity in the mid-18th century and became an important reference for the continued evangelization of California, Arizona, and Texas. The ornately decorated facades of the churches are of particular significance because they are examples of the creative efforts of missionaries and Indians. The rural settlements that developed around the missions have retained their vernacular character.
Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment
The first Benedictine monks settled here in 996. They went on to convert Hungarians to Christianity, founded the country's first school, and wrote the first Hungarian-language document in 1055. Since its founding, this monastic community has been instrumental in promoting culture throughout Central Europe. The monasteries, built in various styles (the oldest building dates from 1224), still house schools and monastic communities, reflecting their 1,000 years of history.
Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)
The Lombards in Italy, Sea of Power, 568-774 AD, includes seven groups of important buildings (including fortresses, churches and monasteries) from across the Italian peninsula. They bear witness to the Lombards' own unique culture in Italy, who ruled a vast territory from the 6th to the 8th centuries. The Lombards' fusion of architectural styles marks the transition from Antiquity to the European Middle Ages, drawing on the traditions of ancient Rome, the Christian spirit, Byzantine influences and Germanic northern Europe. This collection of artifacts testifies to the important role that the Lombards played in the spiritual and cultural development of Christianity in medieval Europe, especially through their support of the monastic movement.
Bourges Cathedral
Built between the late 12th and 13th centuries, the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne in Bourges is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art, admired for its proportions and unity of design. The cathedral's tympanum, sculptures and stained glass windows are particularly noteworthy. In addition to its architectural beauty, it is a testament to the influence of Christianity in medieval France.
Vatican City
Vatican City is one of the most sacred places in Christendom, bearing witness to its great history and arduous spiritual undertakings. Within the borders of this small country, there is a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. At its center is St. Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnades and circular piazza, surrounded by palaces and gardens. Built on the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, the basilica is the largest religious building in the world, a masterpiece created by Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno.
Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias
In the 9th century, the flame of Christianity continued to burn in the small kingdom of Asturias on the Iberian Peninsula. An innovative pre-Romanesque architectural style was created here and played an important role in the development of religious architecture on the peninsula. Its highest achievements are reflected in the ancient capital of Oviedo and its surroundings, such as the Church of Santa María de Naranco, the Church of San Miguel in Lillo, the Church of Santa Cristina de la Leña, the Holy Palace and the Church of San Julian in Prados. Associated with them is the contemporary famous hydraulic engineering building La Foncalada.
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Designed to rival the St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Kiev symbolizes the "New Constantinople," the capital of the Christian Principality of Kiev. The Principality of Kiev was founded in the 11th century in the region where St. Vladimir was baptized and evangelized in 988 AD. The ideas and influence of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra helped spread Orthodox thought and faith throughout the Russian world from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always had great symbolic significance. Among its 220 historical monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral patterns. All three religions recognize it as the holy place where Abraham made sacrifices. The Wailing Wall divides the living quarters of different religious groups, while the Resurrection Rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses the tomb of Christ.
Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
In the 14th century, this city in southern France was the seat of the Popes. The Palais des Papes, a simple-looking fortress, beautifully decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovannetti, overlooks the city, the surrounding walls and the remains of a 12th-century bridge over the Rhône. Below this outstanding example of Gothic architecture, the Petit Palais and the Romanesque Notre-Dame Cathedral form a remarkable group of monuments that testify to the dominant role Avignon played in 14th-century Christian Europe.
Birka and Hovgården
The archaeological site of Birka is located on the island of Björkök in Lake Mälar and was inhabited in the 9th and 10th centuries AD. Hofgarten is located on the neighboring island of Adelsø. Together they form an archaeological complex that demonstrates the complex trade networks of Viking Age Europe and their influence on the subsequent history of Scandinavia. Birka is also the site of the first Christian church in Sweden, founded by St. Ansgar in 831.
Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, Rome was the centre of the Roman Republic, then the Roman Empire and, in the 4th century, the capital of Christendom. The World Heritage site was extended in 1990 to include the Walls of Urban VIII, and includes major ancient monuments such as the Forum, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Pantheon, the Columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius, as well as religious and public buildings from the papal period.