New Inscriptions in 2008

The 2008 WHC Session added 27 Sites bringing the total to 876.

Armenian Monastic Ensembles

Armenian Monastic Ensembles
Photo by Els Slots.

The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran bears testimony to the spread of Armenian culture and Armenian architectural and decorative traditions. 

The three religious sites originate from between the 7th and 14th centuries but have been rebuilt many times due to nature and human inflicted disasters. The monastery of St. Thaddeus is the second religious centre for the Armenian church - as the supposed place of the tomb of St. Thaddeus, one of the twelve Apostles, it is a place for yearly pilgrimage.

Community Perspective: Els visited Saint Thaddeus Monastery, while Solivagant also added his perspective on the Monastery of St Stepanos. The Dzordzor chapel so far has stayed unreviewed.

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Bahá’i Holy Places

Bahá’i Holy Places
Photo by Solivagant.

The Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee represent the Bahá’i faith and their pilgrimage tradition.

The Holy Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Holy Shrine of the Báb are the most holy places of the Bahá’í faith. They are also directly linked to the faith’s two founders, originating from 19th-century Persia. The sites are an important place of pilgrimage for the millions of  Bahá'ís around the world.

Community Perspective: The most visited among the 26 included monuments is the prominent Bahá’i temple on Mount Carmel in Haifa, with its impressive terraced gardens. The others are rarely visited and even harder to appreciate for outsiders to the faith. Solivagant has described the ‘problems’ associated with inscribing a site mostly for the value believers placed upon it.

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Berlin Modernism Housing Estates

Berlin Modernism Housing Estates
Photo by Els Slots.

The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates represent low-income housing architecture from the early 20th century.

The six estates were urban and architectural innovations in search of improved housing and living conditions. The prominent architects Bruno Taut, Martin Wagner and Walter Gropius contributed to these projects, which also included garden design.

Community Perspective: Ian has perfectly described the mixed emotions this site evokes. Hubert visited all 6 components in one day on public transport. The Hufeisensiedlung may be the most exceptional; Elena has revealed a tip to view this like a resident.

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Camagüey

Camagüey
Photo by Els Slots.

The Historic Centre of Camagüey has an unusually irregular urban layout.

This inland town was one of the first founded by the Spanish in Cuba. The nucleus is the Plaza Mayor, from where numerous churches and convents can be found in equidistant positions to the four winds. Earthen components and clay vessels for water storage were used in its domestic architecture.

Community Perspective: A “decent city with its pluses and minuses”, including lots of churches and squares.

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Chief Roi Mata's Domain

Chief Roi Mata's Domain
Photo by Marcel Staron.

Chief Roi Mata's Domain is a cultural landscape associated with the oral traditions surrounding this late Pacific chief.

It consists of three early 17th-century sites on the islands of Efate, Lelepa and Artok associated with the life and death of the last paramount chief, or Roi Mata. The property includes Roi Mata's residence, the site of his death and Roi Mata's mass burial site. The places continue to draw respect and are subject to taboo restrictions.

Community Perspective: all three locations can be visited on a combined guided tour from Port Vila (try to get the one directly through the village), but keep in mind that “everything is pretty rudimental in Vanuatu”. The only really tangible heritage from Chief Roi Mata's Domain consists of the paintings inside Fels Cave.

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Fortifications of Vauban

Fortifications of Vauban
Photo by Els Slots.

The Fortifications of Vauban have been a significant contribution to universal military architecture.

The twelve groups of fortified buildings formed a defensive ring around France. The remaining sites include both fortifications and various kinds of military buildings. They were constructed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV. He was influential far beyond the French borders through his theoretical thinking. 

Community Perspective: the star review here is by Hubert, who has visited all 12 selected components and ranked them!

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Fujian Tulou

Fujian Tulou
Photo by Els Slots.

The Fujian Tulou are unique communal residential buildings constructed by the Hakka people from Fujian Province.

The Tulou are several stories high and are enclosed by a thick earth wall. They were built around a central, open courtyard with only one entrance and few windows. This building style was chosen because it made the houses well-defensible. Each tulou was occupied by one family clan. 

Community Perspective: The Hongkeng Cluster (as reviewed by YS, Geoff, Els) is the most accessible among the 10 components, as it lies within 3 hours from Xiamen, and provides the opportunity to visit another one, Tianloukeng (Els) if you stay overnight. Others include Hekeng (DL) and the remote Chuxi (Boj).

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Hegra

Hegra
Photo by Els Slots.

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) covers the remains of an ancient city from the Nabatean civilization.

Hegra was located on an important trade route. Its well-preserved ensemble of tombs and monuments was cut directly in the sandstone, with richly decorated facades. Many of the monumental rock-cut tombs have inscriptions in a variety of ancient languages.

Community Perspective: “Its location and remains are less spectacular than Petra but the tombs are better preserved” wrote Solivagant in 2008, after he had visited by car (needed because of the distances here). Fast forward, via 2018 and 2019 (when it was “closed for ... getting ready for tourists”) and 2020 (when it opened up for a special occasion), to 2022 when mass tourism has arrived as described by Martina.

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Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Photo by Gary Arndt.

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs hold the most complete fossil record from the "Coal Age" of Earth's history, approximately 310 million years ago.

At the 14.7km stretch of cliffs, the fossilized remains of a coastal forest are exposed, including upright trees and terrestrial fauna such as the earliest known reptile. The fossils have remained in situ, in their complete ecosystem. Joggins also figures in Darwin's "On the Origin of Species".

Community Perspective: its attractive location at the Bay of Fundy (with the world’s highest tidal range) is a bonus. You can visit the fossil beach on your own or with a guide; most fossils on display there are of plants and trees.

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Kuk

Kuk
Photo in the Public Domain.

Kuk Early Agricultural Site represents the earliest evidence of the independent transformation towards domestication of plants in Oceania.

The site covers 116ha of swamp land systematically cultivated since 7,000 and possibly 10,000 years ago. Crops grown include taro, yam and bananas. Stone tools have been found, as well as ditches and drainage channels used to drain the wetland.

Community Perspective: located a short drive outside Mount Hagen, but to the casual visitor similar to most of the agricultural areas surrounding that city; one wonders if it is really “seeable”. Michael provided some practical tips (“The value-to-cost ratio of my visit to Kuk was probably the lowest of any of the WHS that I have visited”), and more are in this Forum Post. We also have a ‘review’ by one of the archeologists that worked on the site in 1977.

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Lagoons of New Caledonia

Lagoons of New Caledonia
Photo by Luis Filipe Gaspar.

The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems contain coral reef ecosystems with great species diversity and a high level of endemism.

The six tropical lagoons and reefs show a wide range of coral diversity and reef forms, with additional features from mangroves to seagrasses. They are home to a large population of endangered dugongs and are an important nesting site for the Green Sea Turtle.

Community Perspective: Clyde visited 4 out of 6 locations in 10 days, and enjoyed the coral rock islands, the aerial views and the crystal clear lagoons.

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Le Morne

Le Morne
Photo by Els Slots.

Le Morne Cultural Landscape encompasses a natural fortress that was used as a retreat for escaping slaves in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

These escapees (the maroons) took shelter in caves and on the slopes of Le Morne Brabant, a steep mountain located on a peninsula. Now it is a spiritual sanctuary, with high symbolic value and oral traditions about the resistance to slavery. Its dramatic visual dimension is a crucial part of its importance.

Community Perspective: easy to see but hard to visit, as few traces of maroon life remain and none of the reviewers so far has managed to comment on any cultural aspects. Climbing the peak is quite tough unless you’re a Swiss mountain goat.

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Mantua and Sabbioneta

Mantua and Sabbioneta
Photo by Els Slots.

Mantua and Sabbioneta are towns in the Po Valley that represent aspects of Renaissance town planning.

Mantua shows the renewal and extension of an existing city, made possible by the participation of renowned Renaissance architects and painters. The newly founded Sabbioneta represents the implementation of the period’s theories about planning the ideal city. Both towns acquired their wealth during the reign of various members of the Gonzaga family, between 1328 and 1707.

Community Perspective: Mantua has an impressive ‘skyline’, which is best seen approaching by car on the SS10. Its highlights include the Palazzo Ducale, the Sant’Andrea Basilica and the Palazzo di Tè. Sabbioneta is less striking than Mantua and alone would probably not have been included in the List.

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Melaka and George Town

Melaka and George Town
Photo by Carlo Sarion.

Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, are renowned for their multicultural heritage.

These ports were located at a strategic position for the 15th-to-18th-century trade between Europe and Asia. Their culture and townscapes evolved after being colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures became incorporated. The cities include a great variety of religious buildings of different faiths, ethnic quarters, shophouses and townhouses.

Community Perspective: Another often-visited but under-reviewed Malaysian WHS. This may be because people find the monuments lacking in appeal – but, as Frederik states, it is not the old town or its history, but the unity of different cultures and colorful people that make this a place to remember. Bernard provides a good comparison between Melaka and George Town.

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Mijikenda Kaya Forests

Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Photo by Michael Novins.

The Mijikenda Kaya Forests comprise the remains of numerous fortified villages (kayas) considered sacred by the Mijikenda people.

The kayas, created in the 16th century but abandoned by the 1940s, are now regarded as the abodes of ancestors and are revered as sacred sites and, as such, are maintained by councils of elders. Access is restricted, which has had a positive impact on the biodiversity of the forests.

Community Perspective: these consist of 10 kayas across 8 components, spread over some 200 km along the coast. Local tour operators from Mombasa can take you to a nearby kaya, such as Kaya Kinondo.

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Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Photo by Els Slots.

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve was created to protect the wintering habitat of the Monarch Butterfly.

The Monarch is famous for its southward migration starting in August until the first frost and northward return in summer in the Americas which spans the life of three to four generations of the butterfly. The millions of butterflies land in close-packed clusters on the tree branches, providing a natural spectacle.

Community Perspective: This is so unique and world-class. The most visited location is El Rosario, where accompanied by a guide you can see them waking up in the heat of the sun. Entomologist Frédéric found it was just made for him and he visited two locations in depth. Be aware that the butterflies only are present in Mexico from November to March and only start moving around when it’s not too cold.

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Mount Sanqingshan

Mount Sanqingshan
Photo in the Public Domain.

Mount Sanqingshan National Park holds an outstanding scenery of granite peaks and pillars.

The area also has numerous waterfalls, valleys, lakes and springs. The massif is covered with temperate forest, home to rare and endangered plant species. Its visual impact is enhanced by the occurrence of meteorological effects like bright halos on clouds and white rainbows.

Community Perspective: Zos had a memorable visit to this park, where visualizing rock formations into snakes or penguins seems to be the main thing.

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Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple
Photo by Els Slots.

The Preah Vihear Temple is a Hindu temple complex that is considered a masterpiece of Khmer architecture.

It is spectacularly situated atop a 525-meter cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains. The temple complex runs 800m along a north-south axis, linked by a system of pavements and staircases. Its carved stone decorations have been well-preserved due to the temple’s remote location.

Community Perspective:  the reviews reflect the site’s disputed history between Thailand and Cambodia, reporting on easy access from Thailand (via the original access road) in 2007, a visit among military patrols and teams carrying out mine clearance operations from Cambodia in 2010, needing a permit in 2012, and “just arranging a driver and suffering through a bit of a rickety road from time to time” from 2018 onward. All enjoyed the breathtaking view from the top and the intricate stone carvings.

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Rhaetian Railway

Rhaetian Railway
Photo by Els Slots.

The Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes consists of the Albula and Bernina transalpine railway lines, noted for their technical quality.

The lines were built from 1908-1910. The Albula line leads from Chur to St. Mortiz, and the Bernina line leads from St. Moritz to Tirano across the border in Italy. Along the way, numerous tunnels, viaducts and bridges had to be built. The railway was designed to follow an existing mountain road.

Community Perspective: You obviously have to do this by riding the train – it still is an active railway line. The structures of interest (viaducts, bridges) however are difficult to see from the train; among these, the Landwasserviaduct is a highlight.

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San Marino and Mount Titano

San Marino and Mount Titano
Photo by Els Slots.

San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano are a testimony to the continuity of an independent city-state since the 13th century.

San Marino is the last remaining of 200 city-states that existed in medieval Italy. The urban landscape is located at a strategic position on top of Mount Titano in the Apennines. The designated area includes Mount Titano and its slopes, San Marino historic centre, with public buildings and institutions of the city-state, 3 defence towers: Guaita, Cesta and Montale, and the market town of Borgo Maggiore.

Community Perspective: the place sees millions of visitors yearly and is really touristy every season. Go there if you’re fascinated with microstates like Jay, or on a snowy winter day like Frederik. All its monuments are well-described in the WH nomination file.

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San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende
Photo by Els Slots.

The Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco represent the cultural exchange between European and Latin American cultures in a specific regional context.

San Miguel de Allende was founded in 1542. It was an important stopover on the Antiguo Camino Real, part of the silver route from Zacatecas. The Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco is a Jesuit sanctuary located 14 km from San Miguel. It is renowned for its Baroque art and architecture.

Community Perspective: San Miguel is a bit upmarket nowadays due to the influx of American and Canadian "snowbirds". Its attraction lies in the bright primary colours of the buildings. The Sanctuary in Atotonilico provides a more sleepy Mexican experience and has good mural paintings.

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Saryarka

Saryarka
Korgalzhyn - Photo provided by Stanislaw Warwass.

"Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan" protects largely undisturbed steppe and wetland areas that are essential for migratory waterbirds.

The site comprises Naurzum State Nature Reserve and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, which includes the vast Korgalzhyn-Tengiz lake system where millions of birds feed annually on their way from Africa to Siberia. The steppe is the habitat of the critically endangered Saiga antelope.

Community Perspective: Stanislaw describes an overnight visit to Korgalzhyn in winter (with sightings of Saiga and Wolf), Solivagant visited the same reserve in May and found the Steppe landscape with its flowering tulips the highlight, and Clyde did so in June and encountered a red fox and a white Arctic fox. The second location, Naurzum, stays unreviewed, though it reportedly has the best chance of seeing a Saiga.

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Socotra Archipelago

Socotra Archipelago
Photo by Roman Bruehwiler.

The Socotra Archipelago covers an isolated group of islands that is renowned for its species biodiversity.

Located at a 'crossroads' of the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, isolated for a long time and with a fiercely hot climate, its circumstances have led to the preservation of a unique ecosystem. Notable plant species found here include the bitter aloe, myrrh, frankincense and the distinctive dragon's blood tree. Its terrestrial and marine animals such as reptiles and land snails also show high levels of endemism.

Community Perspective: the archipelago has been under de facto control of the UAE since 2018, and access has become easier due to regular weekly flights from Abu Dhabi. Michael and Dennis describe what such a visit entails – beaches, dunes, dragon blood trees and flowering bottle trees.

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Stari Grad Plain

Stari Grad Plain
Photo by Els Slots.

The Stari Grad Plain is an agricultural landscape of vineyards and olive trees that has been in continuous use since Greek Antiquity.

The farming land on the island of Hvar is divided into regular-sized parcels, with authentic dry stone walls marking the boundaries. Also, little beehive-shaped sheds (for storage of tooling) and cisterns were constructed. These methods were introduced to Hvar by Greeks from the island of Pharos, who colonized the area in the 4th century BCE. The Greeks also founded a town, Paros (now Stari Grad).

Community Perspective: Stari Grad can easily be reached from Split by ferry (also for a day trip). The farmland is best explored by bicycle.

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Surtsey

Surtsey
Photo by Els Slots.

Surtsey is a recently born volcanic island, that provides a unique scientific record of the process of colonisation of land by plants, animals and marine organisms.

It was formed in a volcanic eruption in the sea which reached the surface on 14 November 1963. The eruption may have started a few days earlier and lasted until 5 June 1967. Since then it has been a protected natural area (free from any human interference) and a pristine natural laboratory.

Community Perspective: A visit – always limited to the surrounding waters as the island is a no-go zone - will be expensive due to the isolated location and lack of demand from the general public. It can be done as part of a longer cruise (as described by Solivagant) or with a privately chartered boat from Heimaey in the Westman Islands (as first discovered by Michael, an approach that has been proven successful several times after). A sightseeing flight sometimes also is a possible alternative. You will see a relatively low island with cinder cones, loosely-arranged lava rocks and some vegetation. In the surrounding waters, you may see seals or even a pod of orcas.

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Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
Photo by Els Slots.

The Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona is a significant example of the process of mountain building.

The Tectonic Arena contains a major break in the Earth's crust: the Glarus thrust. It is a clearly exposed and well-accessible example of thrust faults in general, and has as such played an important role in the development of geological knowledge on mountain building.

Community Perspective: To see the whole area you can hike from Elm to Flims – a tough hike of 21.5km if you do it in full (Nan can probably still feel his legs). Lazier people can (like Els did) go and reach the Fil de Cassons from Flims by chairlifts and a cable car ride, but Ralf recently has reported that this route is under construction until at least the end of 2024.

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Wooden Churches of the Slovak Carpathians

Wooden Churches of the Slovak Carpathians
Photo by Els Slots.

The Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountain Area are examples of local traditional religious architecture.

The eight churches (plus one belfry!) consist of two Roman Catholic, three Protestant and three Greek Catholic ones, showing the inter-cultural character of this historic region where Latin and Byzantine cultures have overlapped. They date from the late Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century and are decorated with naïve wall and ceiling paintings.

Community Perspective: Matejicek has described 6 out of the 8 churches and Hubert got to 7 out of 8; the Protestant ones stand out most, although opinions vary on which one is ‘the best’. Although the churches are known for their interior decorations, it can be difficult to get inside even in summer.

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Extended Sites in 2008

Altamira Cave

Altamira Cave
Photo by Els Slots.

The Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain represent some of the earliest human art.

The 18 caves feature well-conserved drawings and polychrome rock paintings of wild mammals and human hands. They were made by the hunter-gatherers of the Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 11,000 BP). The rock art enables us to better understand aspects of the way of life and the beliefs of these early humans.

Community Perspective: Until 1977 the original Altamira Cave was still open (as Susan, Mark, Gavin and Lucy testify), nowadays only 5 people per week can get in (via an old waiting list, no lottery anymore). There is a replica that can be visited, plus other original caves within the set of 18 such as Tito Bustillo (Ian) and El Castillo (Els, Clyde).

Els Slots The Netherlands - 03-Aug-09

Altamira Cave

When I first became aware that there exists such a thing as 'World Heritage', the Altamira Cave rose quickly to the very top on my list to visit. Such a magnificent, but also exclusive, site. You had to pre-book a visit 3 years before! One day I’ll go there, I thought. I’ll just reserve a spot and travel there to see this work of art. But what happened? The cave got closed to the general public entirely in 2001!

Years and years (and many WHS) later, I stayed for a couple of days in Llanes, a town close enough for a trip to Altamira. One can visit only a replica nowadays, and since 2008 other paleolithic caves in the area have been added to this particular WHS. So the Altamira Cave isn’t so unique anymore

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Berat and Gjirokastra

Berat and Gjirokastra
Photo by Els Slots.

The Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra are well-preserved Ottoman towns, decorated with outstanding examples of kule: Balkan-Ottoman style tower houses.

Berat has been particularly marked by the peaceful coexistence of Ottoman Islam with a large Christian minority. The designated area includes Berat Castle, mosques, churches, and the Gorica Bridge. Gjirokastra was built around a 13th-century citadel and developed into a regional center. Residential quarters, the bazaar, churches, and mosques were built vertically and in stone.

Community Perspective: the two towns lie some 150km apart, complement each other and they warrant an overnight stay each.

Arber Albania - 21-Jul-05

I was in Gjirokastra just one day before it was proclaimed a world heritage site.My first impressions on the city were very complex, but one thought stayed in my mind during the whole trip, what was it like to live there 200 years ago, who were the people that lived in those magical and mystical houses, and what did the great castle witness during centuries of war. The city spoke of greatness and the stone houses together with the amazing view of the mountains and valleys, reflected the character of the people there. Amazing,rigid, mystical,friendly, this was Gjirokastra in one day for me.

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Frontiers of the Roman Empire

Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Photo by Els Slots.

The Frontiers of the Roman Empire comprise significant remains of the Limes Romanus, a border defense or delimiting system of Ancient Rome.

It includes the Upper German-Raetian Limes, Hadrian’s Wall, and Antonine Wall, all built in the 2nd century CE in the northwestern part of the Empire. The Romans constructed military installations (forts, barriers, watchtowers, ditches) and related civilian settlements, linked by roads, to separate their citizens from the “barbarians”.

Community Perspective: The Roman Fort of Saalburg is the most visited part of the German component. The remains of Hadrian’s Wall can be admired on a hike (Ian), by the AD 122 bus, or by some selective exploration (James). A part of the (less well-preserved) Antonine Wall has been covered by Jay and Allan.

David Berlanda Italy / Czech Republic - 01-May-05

Frontiers of the Roman Empire

In our trip to Germany we have visited the Roman fort of Saalburg, part of the 220 kilometres Limes barrier Raeatian section, one of the walls that have been marking the boundaries of the Roman empire for some centuries. The original fort (90 AD) covered an area of about 0,70 hectares and had a rectangular plan with corner towers. In 135 AD was built a larger fort, of 3,2 hectares (221 by 147 metres), over the earlier one, with four gates, a stone and timber defence wall with rampart walk and a double ditch. The remains of many internal buildings have been excavated and entirely reconstructed in stone and timber under the emperor William II

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Mountain Railways of India

Mountain Railways of India
Photo by Els Slots.

The Mountain Railways of India are three fully operational railway tracks that are fine examples of 19th-century technology and the changes they brought with them.

These railways built during the British colonial period stimulated population movements between the plains and the mountains. Heavy and complex engineering, including multi-arch viaducts, tunnels, retaining walls, and a very large number of curves, was used in order to overcome the mountain conditions.

Community Perspective: “a great experience”, both for the landscapes and the use of the original railway equipment and infrastructure. The site includes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (covered by Solivagant), the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Els), and the Kalka-Shimla Railway (Jarek).

Solivagant UK - 01-May-05

Mountain Railways of India

India possesses a number of “Hill Railways” built by the British to aid government officials and others in their escape from the major cities to the nearest Hill Country. It is possible that the Niligri Hill rack railway from Metupayalam to Ooty might soon be added to the WHS list but the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) from New Jaipalguri/Siliguri to Darjeeling is already inscribed. The World’s industrial heritage is certainly not over-represented on the WHS list and I only know of 3 railway related sites (The DHR plus Semmering in Austria and the Mumbai Railway Station).

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