Spain Granted its 50th UNESCO World Heritage Site

The World Heritage Committee has concluded and added 42 new sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List, including the Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca, which brings the total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain to exactly 50.

The Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca (2023) is a testament to the island's prehistoric culture and heritage. Situated in agro-pastoral landscapes, the prehistoric sites display an incredible diversity of ancient settlements and burials. The constructions are unique to Menorca and include funerary naves, circular houses, and monuments such as taulas and talayots which UNESCO consider to be exceptional examples of Cyclopean architecture's evolution over fifteen hundred years. The sites act as an important source of knowledge about the life of the Talayotic people, the culture that existed on the Balearic Islands during the Iron Age.

Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, says:

'Spain is internationally renowned as a cultural and natural heritage destination, as demonstrated by UNESCO's 44 Cultural Heritage Sites, four Natural Heritage Sites, and two Mixed Heritage Sites in the country. From the Old Town of Cáceres, to Teide National Park, to the Biodiversity and Culture of Ibiza, our country has an enormous variety of excellently preserved sites considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.'

Spain's Oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites

As well as Spain's newest addition to the UNESCO list, the oldest five World Heritage Sites in the country are all approaching their 40th anniversary, having been designated in 1984.Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada (1984) is one of the most visited sites in Andalucía and currently stands as the only preserved palatine city from the Islamic period. The monumental site was expanded in 1994 by UNESCO to include the nearby Albayzin quarter.

Burgos Cathedral (1984) in Castilla y León started construction in 1221 and was officially finished over 300 years later in 1567. A unique collection of works and arts is housed inside the building's colossal gothic architecture.

Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Madrid (1984) was built at the end of the 16th Century in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid as a retreat for King Philip II. The royal site encloses the Escorial Monastery, which stands as a monument to the artistic expression of the Spanish Catholic Monarchy during the Golden Age.

The Historic Centre of Córdoba (1984) was founded in the 2nd Century BC by the Romans and reached its peak in the 8th century following the Moorish conquest. The great Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is surrounded by a melting pot of religious sites and ancient defence structures, making the old-town of Córdoba one of the most unique city-centres in the world.

Works of Antoni Gaudí (1984) is a collection of seven buildings by the architect in and around Barcelona, including the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia, Parque Güell, and Casa Mila. Gaudí is known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism with his highly individualised style.