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Tianjin, Kuala Lumpur, Toronto, Milan, Shenyang, Dallas, Fort Worth, Boston, Belo Horizonte, Khartoum, Riyadh, Singapore, Washington, Detroit, Barcelona,, Houston, Athens, Berlin, Sydney, Atlanta, Guadalajara, San Francisco, Oakland, Montreal, Monterey, Melbourne, Ankara, Recife, Phoenix/Mesa, Durban, Porto Alegre, Dalian, Jeddah, Seattle, Cape Town, San Diego, Fortaleza, Curitiba, Rome, Naples, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Tel Aviv, Birmingham, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Manchester, San Juan, Katowice, Tashkent, Fukuoka, Baku, Sumqayit, St. Louis, Baltimore, Sapporo, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Taichung, Warsaw, Denver, Cologne, Bonn, Hamburg, Dubai, Pretoria, Vancouver, Beirut, Budapest, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Campinas, Harare, Brasilia, Kuwait, Munich, Portland, Brussels, Vienna, San Jose, Damman , Copenhagen, Brisbane, Riverside, San Bernardino, Cincinnati and AccraArticle Talk Read Edit View history Tools Coordinates: 48°51′11″N 2°21′00″E From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the French cathedral. For other uses, see Notre-Dame de Paris (disambiguation). Notre-Dame de Paris South façade and the nave of Notre-Dame in 2017, two years before the fire Map Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap 48°51′11″N 2°21′00″E Location Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris Country France Denomination Catholic Church Sui iuris church Latin Church Website Official website Edit this at Wikidata History Former name(s) Replaced the Cathedral of Etienne Status Cathedral, minor basilica Founded 24 March 1163 to 25 April 1163 (laying of the cornerstone) Founder(s) Maurice de Sully Consecrated 19 May 1182 (high altar) Relics held Crown of thorns, a nail from the True Cross, and a sliver of the True Cross Architecture Functional status Reopened 7 December 2024 Architectural type Gothic Style French Gothic Years built 1163–1345 Groundbreaking 1163; 862 years ago Completed 1345; 680 years ago Specifications Length 128 m (420 ft) Width 48 m (157 ft) Nave height 35 metres (115 ft)[1] Number of towers 2 Tower height 69 m (226 ft) Number of spires 1 (the third, completed 16 December 2023)[2] Spire height 96 m (315 ft) Materials Limestone and marble Bells 10 (bronze) Administration Archdiocese Paris Clergy Archbishop Laurent Ulrich Rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas Laity Director of music Sylvain Dieudonné[3] Organist(s) Olivier Latry (since 1985); Vincent Dubois [fr] (since 2016); Thierry Escaich (since 2024); Thibault Fajoles (assistant organist, since 2024) UNESCO World Heritage Site Criteria I, II, IV[4] Designated 1991 Part of Paris, Banks of the Seine Reference no. 600 Monument historique Official name Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris Type Cathédrale Designated 1862[5] Reference no. PA00086250 Notre-Dame de Paris (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris French: [nɔtʁ(ə) dam də paʁi] ⓘ; meaning "Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris"), often referred to simply as Notre-Dame,[a][b] is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the River Seine), in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary ("Our Lady"), is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Several attributes set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style, including its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration.[9] Notre-Dame is also exceptional for its three pipe organs (one historic) and its immense church bells.[10] The construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though it was modified in succeeding centuries. In the 1790s, during the French Revolution, Notre-Dame suffered extensive desecration; much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. In the 19th century, the cathedral hosted the coronation of Napoleon and the funerals of many of the French Republic's presidents. The 1831 publication of Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (English title: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) inspired interest which led to restoration between 1844 and 1864, supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. On 26 August 1944, the Liberation of Paris from German occupation was celebrated in Notre-Dame with the singing of the Magnificat. Beginning in 1963, the cathedral's façade was cleaned of soot and grime. Another cleaning and restoration project was carried out between 1991 and 2000.[11] A fire in April 2019 caused serious damage, closing the cathedral for extensive and costly repairs; it reopened in December 2024.[12] It is a widely recognised symbol of both the city of Paris and the French nation. In 1805, it was awarded honorary status as a minor basilica. As the cathedral of the archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra or seat of the archbishop of Paris (currently Laurent Ulrich). In the early 21st century, about 12 million people visited Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.[13] Over time, the cathedral has gradually been stripped of many decorations and artworks. It still contains Gothic, Baroque, and 19th-century sculptures, 17th- and early 18th-century altarpieces, and some of the most important relics in Christendom, including the crown of thorns, and a sliver and nail from the True Cross. Key dates The Cathedral in 1699 The church restored by Viollet-le-Duc (1860s) Cathedral fire (April 15, 2019) 4th century – Cathedral of Saint Étienne, dedicated to Saint Stephen, built just west of present cathedral.[14] 1163 – Bishop Maurice de Sully begins construction of new cathedral.[14] 1182 or 1185 – Choir completed, clerestory with two levels: upper level of upright windows with pointed arches, still without tracery, lower level of small rose windows. c. 1200 – Construction of nave, with flying buttresses, completed. c. 1210–1220 – Construction of towers begins. c. 1210–1220 – Two new traverses join towers with nave. West rose window complete in 1220. After 1220 – New flying buttresses added to choir walls, remodeling of the clerestories: pointed arched windows are enlarged downward, replacing the triforia, and get tracery. 1235–1245 – Chapels constructed between buttresses of nave and choir. 1250–1260 – North transept lengthened by Jean de Chelles to provide more light. North rose window constructed.[15] 1270 – South transept and rose window completed by Pierre de Montreuil.[16] 1699 – Beginning of major redecoration of interior in Louis XIV style by Hardouin Mansart and Robert de Cotte.[17] 1725–1727 – South rose window, poorly built, is reconstructed. Later entirely rebuilt in 1854. 1790 – In the French Revolution the Revolutionary Paris Commune removes all bronze, lead, and precious metals from the cathedral to be melted down.[16] 1793 – The cathedral is converted into a Temple of Reason and then Temple of the Supreme Being. 1801–1802 – With the Concordat of 1801, Napoleon restores the use of the cathedral (though not ownership) to the Catholic Church. 1804 – On 2 December, Napoleon crowns himself Emperor at Notre-Dame. 1844–1864 – Major restoration by Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc with additions in the spirit of the original Gothic style.[18] 1871 – In final days of the Paris Commune, the Communards prepared to burn the cathedral, but abandoned their plan since it would necessarily also burn the crowded neighboring hospital for the elderly. 1944 – On 26 August, General Charles de Gaulle celebrates the Liberation of Paris with a special Mass at Notre-Dame. 1963 – Culture Minister André Malraux orders the cleaning of the cathedral façade of centuries of grime and soot. 2019 – On 15 April, a fire destroys a large part of the roof and the flèche. 2021 – Reconstruction begins, which lasted 3 years 2024 – Reopening ceremonies 7–8 December.[19] On 13 December 2024 the revered Crown of Thorns relic was returned to the cathedral.[20] History Outline of the primitive Cathedral of Notre-Dame in 1150, on the spot of the nave, the transept and the choir of the current building. The Cathedral of Saint Étienne was located to the west, at the level of today's parvis. Construction sequence from 12th century to present-day, created by Stephen Murray and Myles Zhang It is believed that before the arrival of Christianity in France, a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter stood on the site of Notre-Dame. Evidence for this includes the Pillar of the Boatmen, discovered beneath the cathedral in 1710. In the 4th or 5th century, a large early Christian church, the Cathedral of Saint Étienne, was built on the site, close to the royal palace.[14] The entrance was situated about 40 metres (130 ft) west of the present west front of Notre-Dame, and the apse was located about where the west façade is today. It was roughly half the size of the later Notre-Dame, 70 metres (230 ft) long—and separated into nave and four aisles by marble columns, then decorated with mosaics.[11][21] The last church before the cathedral of Notre-Dame was a Romanesque remodelling of Saint-Étienne that, although enlarged and remodelled, was found to be unfit for the growing population of Paris.[22][c] A baptistery, the Church of Saint-John-le-Rond, built about 452, was located on the north side of the west front of Notre-Dame until the work of Jacques-Germain Soufflot in the 18th century.[24] In 1160, the bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully,[24] decided to build a new and much larger church. He summarily demolished the earlier cathedral and recycled its materials.[22] Sully decided that the new church should be built in the Gothic style, which had been inaugurated at the royal abbey of Saint Denis in the late 1130s.[21] Construction The chronicler Jean de Saint-Victor [fr] recorded in the Memorial Historiarum that the construction of Notre-Dame began between 24 March and 25 April 1163 with the laying of the cornerstone in the presence of King Louis VII and Pope Alexander III.[25][26] Four phases of construction took place under bishops Maurice de Sully and Eudes de Sully (not related to Maurice), according to masters whose names have been lost. Analysis of vault stones that fell in the 2019 fire shows that they were quarried in Vexin, a county northwest of Paris, and presumably brought up the Seine by boat.[27] Cross-section of the double supporting arches and buttresses of the nave, drawn by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc as they would have appeared from 1220 to 1230[28] The first phase began with the construction of the choir and its two ambulatories. According to Robert of Torigni, the choir was completed in 1177 and the high altar consecrated on 19 May 1182 by Cardinal Henri de Château-Marçay, the Papal legate in Paris, and Maurice de Sully.[29][failed verification] The second phase, from 1182 to 1190, concerned the construction of the four sections of the nave behind the choir and its aisles to the height of the clerestories. It began after the completion of the choir but ended before the final allotted section of the nave was finished. Beginning in 1190, the bases of the façade were put in place, and the first traverses were completed.[11] Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem called for the Third Crusade in 1185 from the still-incomplete cathedral. Louis IX deposited the relics of the passion of Christ, which included the crown of thorns, a nail from the True Cross and a sliver of the True Cross, which he had purchased at great expense from the Latin Emperor Baldwin II, in the cathedral during the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle. An under-shirt, believed to have belonged to Louis, was added to the collection of relics at some time after his death. Transepts were added at the choir, where the altar was located, in order to bring more light into the centre of the church. The use of simpler four-part rather than six-part rib vaults meant that the roofs were stronger and could be higher. After Bishop Maurice de Sully's death in 1196, his successor, Eudes de Sully oversaw the completion of the transepts, and continued work on the nave, which was nearing completion at the time of his death in 1208. By this time, the western façade was already largely built; it was completed around the mid-1240s. Between 1225 and 1250 the upper gallery of the nave was constructed, along with the two towers on the west façade.[30] Arrows show forces in vault and current flying buttresses (detailed description) Another significant change came in the mid-13th century, when the transepts were remodelled in the latest Rayonnant style; in the late 1240s Jean de Chelles added a gabled portal to the north transept topped by a spectacular rose window. Shortly afterward (from 1258) Pierre de Montreuil executed a similar scheme on the southern transept. Both these transept portals were richly embellished with sculpture; the south portal depicts scenes from the lives of Saint Stephen and of various local saints, and the north portal featured the infancy of Christ and the story of Theophilus in the tympanum, with a highly influential statue of the Virgin and Child in the trumeau.[31][30] Master builders Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravy [fr], Jean le Bouteiller, and Raymond du Temple [fr] succeeded de Chelles and de Montreuil and then each other in the construction of the cathedral. Ravy completed de Chelles's rood screen and chevet chapels, then began the 15-metre (49 ft) flying buttresses of the choir. Jean le Bouteiller, Ravy's nephew, succeeded him in 1344 and was himself replaced on his death in 1363 by his deputy, Raymond du Temple. Philip the Fair opened the first Estates General in the cathedral in 1302. An important innovation in the 13th century was the introduction of the flying buttress. Before the buttresses, all of the weight of the roof pressed outward and down to the walls, and the abutments supporting them. With the flying buttress, the weight was carried by the ribs of the vault entirely outside the structure to a series of counter-supports, which were topped with stone pinnacles which gave them greater weight. The buttresses meant that the walls could be higher and thinner, and could have larger windows. The date of the first buttresses is not known with precision beyond an installation date in the 13th century. Art historian Andrew Tallon has argued, based on detailed laser scans of the entire structure, that the buttresses were part of the original design. According to Tallon, the scans indicate that "the upper part of the building has not moved one smidgen in 800 years,"[32] whereas if they were added later some movement from prior to their addition would be expected. Tallon thus concluded that flying buttresses were present from the outset.[32] The first buttresses were replaced by larger and stronger ones in the 14th century; these had a reach of fifteen metres (50 ft) between the walls and counter-supports.[11] John of Jandun recognized the cathedral as one of Paris's three most important buildings [prominent structures] in his 1323 Treatise on the Praises of Paris: That most glorious church of the most glorious Virgin Mary, mother of God, deservedly shines out, like the sun among stars. And although some speakers, by their own free judgment, because [they are] able to see only a few things easily, may say that some other is more beautiful, I believe, however, respectfully, that, if they attend more diligently to the whole and the parts, they will quickly retract this opinion. Where indeed, I ask, would they find two towers of such magnificence and perfection, so high, so large, so strong, clothed round about with such multiple varieties of ornaments? Where, I ask, would they find such a multipartite arrangement of so many lateral vaults, above and below? Where, I ask, would they find such light-filled amenities as the many surrounding chapels? Furthermore, let them tell me in what church I may see such a large cross, of which one arm separates the choir from the nave. Finally, I would willingly learn where [there are] two such circles, situated opposite each other in a straight line, which on account of their appearance are given the name of the fourth vowel [O]; among which smaller orbs and circles, with wondrous artifice, so that some arranged circularly, others angularly, surround windows ruddy with precious colours and beautiful with the most subtle figures of the pictures. In fact, I believe that this church offers the carefully discerning such cause for admiration that its inspection can scarcely sate the soul. — Jean de Jandun, Tractatus de laudibus Parisius[33] Plan of the cathedral made by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. Portals and nave to the left, a choir in the center, and apse and ambulatory to the right. The annex to the south is the sacristy. Plan of the cathedral made by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. Portals and nave to the left, a choir in the center, and apse and ambulatory to the right. The annex to the south is the sacristy. Early six-part rib vaults of the nave. The ribs transferred the thrust of the weight of the roof downward and outwards to the pillars and the supporting buttresses. Early six-part rib vaults of the nave. The ribs transferred the thrust of the weight of the roof downward and outwards to the pillars and the supporting buttresses. The massive buttresses which counter the outward thrust from the rib vaults of the nave. The weight of the building-shaped pinnacles helps keep the line of thrust safely within the buttresses. The massive buttresses which counter the outward thrust from the rib vaults of the nave. The weight of the building-shaped pinnacles helps keep the line of thrust safely within the buttresses. Later flying buttresses of the apse of Notre-Dame (14th century) reached 15 metres (49 ft) from the wall to the counter-supports. Later flying buttresses of the apse of Notre-Dame (14th century) reached 15 metres (49 ft) from the wall to the counter-supports. 15th–18th century On 16 December 1431, the boy-king Henry VI of England was crowned king of France in Notre-Dame, aged ten, the traditional coronation church of Reims Cathedral being under French control.[34] During the Renaissance, the Gothic style fell out of style, and the internal pillars and walls of Notre-Dame were covered with tapestries.[35] In 1548, rioting Huguenots damaged some of the statues of Notre-Dame, considering them idolatrous.[36] The fountain [fr] in Notre-Dame's parvis was added in 1625 to provide nearby Parisians with running water.[37] Since 1449, the Parisian goldsmith guild had made regular donations to the cathedral chapter. In 1630, the guild began donating a large altarpiece every year on 1 May. These works came to be known as the grands mays.[38] The subject matter was restricted to episodes from the Acts of the Apostles. The prestigious commission was awarded to the most prominent painters and, after 1648, members of the Académie Royale. Seventy-six paintings had been donated by 1708, when the custom was discontinued for financial reasons. Those works were confiscated in 1793 and the majority were subsequently dispersed among regional museums in France. Those that remained in the cathedral were removed or relocated within the building by the 19th-century restorers. Thirteen of the grands mays hang in Notre-Dame; these paintings suffered water damage during the fire of 2019 and were removed for conservation. An altarpiece depicting The Visitation, painted by Jean Jouvenet in 1707, was also in the cathedral. The canon Antoine de La Porte commissioned for Louis XIV six paintings depicting the life of the Virgin Mary for the choir. At this same time, Charles de La Fosse painted his Adoration of the Magi, now in the Louvre.[39] Louis Antoine de Noailles, archbishop of Paris, extensively modified the roof of Notre-Dame in 1726, renovating its framing and removing the gargoyles with lead gutters. Noailles also strengthened the buttresses, galleries, terraces, and vaults.[40] In 1756, the cathedral's canons decided that its interior was too dark. The medieval stained glass windows, except the rosettes, were removed and replaced with plain, white glass panes.[35] Lastly, Jacques-Germain Soufflot was tasked with the modification of the portals at the front of the cathedral to allow processions to enter more easily. Henry VI of England's coronation in Notre-Dame as King of France, aged ten, during the Hundred Years' War. His accession to the throne was in accordance with the Treaty of Troyes of 1420. Henry VI of England's coronation in Notre-Dame as King of France, aged ten, during the Hundred Years' War. His accession to the throne was in accordance with the Treaty of Troyes of 1420. La Descente du Saint-Esprit; illustration depicting Notre-Dame from the Hours of Étienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet, c. 1450 La Descente du Saint-Esprit; illustration depicting Notre-Dame from the Hours of Étienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet, c. 1450 A Te Deum in the choir of Notre-Dame in 1669, during the reign of Louis XIV. The choir was redesigned to make room for more lavish ceremonies. A Te Deum in the choir of Notre-Dame in 1669, during the reign of Louis XIV. The choir was redesigned to make room for more lavish ceremonies. French Revolution and Napoleon After the French Revolution in 1789, Notre-Dame and the rest of the church's property in France was seized and made public property.[41] The cathedral was rededicated in 1793 to the Cult of Reason, and then to the Cult of the Supreme Being in 1794.[42] During this time, many of the treasures of the cathedral were either destroyed or plundered. The twenty-eight statues of biblical kings located at the west façade, mistaken for statues of French kings, were beheaded.[11][43] Many of the heads were found during a 1977 excavation nearby, and are on display at the Musée de Cluny. For a time the Goddess of Liberty replaced the Virgin Mary on several altars.[44] The cathedral's great bells escaped being melted down. All of the other large statues on the façade, with the exception of the statue of the Virgin Mary on the portal of the cloister, were destroyed.[11] The cathedral came to be used as a warehouse for the storage of food and other non-religious purposes.[36] With the Concordat of 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte restored Notre-Dame to the Catholic Church; this was finalised on 18 April 1802. Napoleon also named Paris's new bishop, Jean-Baptiste de Belloy, who restored the cathedral's interior. Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine made quasi-Gothic modifications to Notre-Dame for the coronation of Napoleon as Emperor of the French within the cathedral. The building's exterior was whitewashed and the interior decorated in Neoclassical style, then in vogue.[45] The Cult of Reason is celebrated at Notre-Dame during the French Revolution (1793) The Cult of Reason is celebrated at Notre-Dame during the French Revolution (1793) Arrival of Napoleon at the east end of Notre-Dame for his coronation as Emperor of the French on 2 December 1804 Arrival of Napoleon at the east end of Notre-Dame for his coronation as Emperor of the French on 2 December 1804 The coronation of Napoleon, on 2 December 1804 at Notre-Dame, as portrayed in the 1807 painting The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David The coronation of Napoleon, on 2 December 1804 at Notre-Dame, as portrayed in the 1807 painting The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David 19th-century restoration In the decades after the Napoleonic Wars, Notre-Dame fell into such a state of disrepair that Paris officials considered its demolition. Victor Hugo, who admired the cathedral, wrote the novel Notre-Dame de Paris (published in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) in 1831 to save Notre-Dame. The book was an enormous success, raising awareness of the cathedral's decaying state.[11] The same year as Hugo's novel was published, anti-Legitimists plundered Notre-Dame's sacristy.[46] In 1844 King Louis Philippe ordered that the church be restored.[11] The architect who had been in charge of Notre-Dame's maintenance, Étienne-Hippolyte Godde, was dismissed. Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who had distinguished themselves with the restoration of the nearby Sainte-Chapelle, were appointed in 1844. The next year, Viollet-le-Duc submitted a budget of 3,888,500 francs, which was reduced to 2,650,000 francs, for the restoration of Notre-Dame and the construction of a new sacristy building. This budget was exhausted in 1850, and work stopped as Viollet-le-Duc made proposals for more money. In totality, the restoration cost over 12 million francs. Supervising a large team of sculptors, glass makers and other craftsmen, and working from drawings or engravings, Viollet-le-Duc remade or added decorations if he felt they were in the spirit of the original style. One of the latter items was a taller and more ornate flèche, to replace the original 13th-century flèche, which had been removed in 1786.[47] The decoration of the restoration included a bronze roof statue of Saint Thomas that resembles Viollet-le-Duc, as well as the sculpture of mythical creatures on the Galerie des Chimères.[36] The construction of the sacristy was especially financially costly. To secure a firm foundation, it was necessary for Viollet-le-Duc's labourers to dig nine metres (thirty feet). Master glassworkers meticulously copied styles of the 13th century, as written about by art historians Antoine Lusson and Adolphe Napoléon Didron.[48] During the Paris Commune of March through May 1871, the cathedral and other churches were closed, and some two hundred priests and the Archbishop of Paris were taken as hostages. In May, during the Semaine sanglante of "Bloody Week", as the army recaptured the city, the Communards targeted the cathedral, along with the Tuileries Palace and other landmarks, for destruction; the Communards piled the furniture together in order to burn the cathedral. The arson was halted when the Communard government realised that the fire would also destroy the neighbouring Hôtel-Dieu hospital, filled with hundreds of patients.[49] The western façade of Notre-Dame in 1841, showing the building in an advanced state of disrepair before the major restoration by Viollet-le-Duc The western façade of Notre-Dame in 1841, showing the building in an advanced state of disrepair before the major restoration by Viollet-le-Duc Proposed doorway decoration by Lassus and Viollet-le-Duc; plate engraved by Léon Gaucherel Proposed doorway decoration by Lassus and Viollet-le-Duc; plate engraved by Léon Gaucherel The southern façade of Notre-Dame at the beginning of the restoration work; photo from 1847 by Hippolyte Bayard The southern façade of Notre-Dame at the beginning of the restoration work; photo from 1847 by Hippolyte Bayard Model of the flèche and "forest" of wooden roof beams made for Viollet-le-Duc (1859) (Museum of Historic Monuments, Paris) Model of the flèche and "forest" of wooden roof beams made for Viollet-le-Duc (1859) (Museum of Historic Monuments, Paris) 20th century Façade of Notre-Dame in the 1930s During the liberation of Paris in August 1944, the cathedral suffered some minor damage from stray bullets. Some of the medieval glass was damaged, and was replaced by glass with modern abstract designs. On 26 August, a special Mass was held in the cathedral to celebrate the liberation of Paris from the Germans; it was attended by General Charles De Gaulle and General Philippe Leclerc. In 1963, on the initiative of culture minister André Malraux and to mark the 800th anniversary of the cathedral, the façade was cleaned of the centuries of soot and grime, restoring it to its original off-white colour.[50] On 19 January 1969, vandals placed a North Vietnamese flag at the top of the flèche, and sabotaged the stairway leading to it. The flag was cut from the flèche by Paris Fire Brigade Sergeant Raymond Belle in a helicopter mission, the first of its kind in France.[51][52][53] The Requiem Mass of Charles de Gaulle was held in Notre-Dame on 12 November 1970.[54] On 26 June 1971, Philippe Petit walked across a tight-rope strung between Notre-Dame's two bell towers entertaining spectators.[55] After the Magnificat of 30 May 1980, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass on the parvis of the cathedral.[56] The Requiem Mass of François Mitterrand was held at the cathedral, as with past French heads of state, on 11 January 1996.[57] The stone masonry of the cathedral's exterior had deteriorated in the 19th and 20th centuries due to increased air pollution in Paris, which accelerated erosion of decorations and discoloured the stone. By the late 1980s, several gargoyles and turrets had fallen or become too loose to remain safely in place.[58] A decade-long renovation programme began in 1991 and replaced much of the exterior, with care given to retain the authentic architectural elements of the cathedral, including rigorous inspection of new limestone blocks.[58][59] A discreet system of electrical wires, not visible from below, was also installed on the roof to deter pigeons.[60] The cathedral's pipe organ was upgraded with a computerised system to control the mechanical connections to the pipes.[61] The west face was cleaned and restored in time for millennium celebrations in December 1999.[62] 21st century Notre-Dame in May 2012. From top to bottom, nave walls are pierced by clerestory windows, arches to triforium, and arches to side aisles. The Requiem Mass of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, former archbishop of Paris and Jewish convert to Catholicism, was held in Notre-Dame on 10 August 2007.[63] The set of four 19th-century bells at the top of the northern towers at Notre-Dame were melted down and recast into new bronze bells in 2013, to celebrate the building's 850th anniversary. They were designed to recreate the sound of the cathedral's original bells from the 17th century.[64][65] Despite the 1990s renovation, the cathedral had continued to show signs of deterioration that prompted the national government to propose a new renovation program in the late 2010s.[66][67] The entire renovation was estimated to cost €100 million, which the archbishop of Paris planned to raise through funds from the national government and private donations.[68] A €6 million renovation of the cathedral's flèche began in late 2018 and continued into the following year, requiring the temporary removal of copper statues on the roof and other decorative elements.[69][70] Notre-Dame began a year-long celebration of the 850th anniversary of the laying of the first building block for the cathedral on 12 December 2012.[71] On 21 May 2013, Dominique Venner, a historian and white nationalist, placed a letter on the church altar and shot himself, dying instantly. Around 1,500 visitors were evacuated from the cathedral.[72] French police arrested two people on 8 September 2016 after a car containing seven gas canisters filled with diesel fuel was found near Notre-Dame.[73][74] On 10 February 2017, French police arrested four people in Montpellier known to have ties to radical Islamist organisations on charges of plotting to travel to Paris and attack the cathedral.[75] On 6 June, visitors were shut inside Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris after a man with a hammer attacked a police officer outside.[76][77] 2019 fire Main article: Notre-Dame fire On 15 April 2019 the cathedral caught fire, destroying the flèche and the "forest" of oak roof beams supporting the lead roof.[78][79][80] It was speculated that the fire was linked to ongoing renovation work. The fire broke out in the attic of the cathedral at 18:18, investigators concluded. The smoke detectors immediately signalled the fire to a cathedral employee, who did not summon the fire brigade but instead sent a cathedral guard to investigate. The guard was sent to the wrong location, to the attic of the adjoining sacristy, and reported there was no fire. About 15 minutes later the error was discovered and the guard's supervisor told him to go to the correct location. The fire brigade was still not notified. By the time the guard had climbed the 300 steps to the cathedral attic, the fire was well advanced.[81] The alarm system was not designed to automatically notify the fire brigade, which was summoned at 18:51 after the guard had returned from the attic and reported a now-raging fire, and more than half an hour after the fire alarm had begun sounding.[82] Firefighters arrived in less than ten minutes.[83] The cathedral's flèche collapsed at 19:50, bringing down 750 tonnes of stone and lead. The firefighters inside were ordered down. By this time the fire had spread to the north tower, where the eight bells were. The firefighters concentrated their efforts in the tower. They feared that, if the bells fell, they could wreck the tower, and endanger the structure of the other tower and the whole cathedral. They had to ascend a stairway threatened by fire, and to contend with low water pressure for their hoses. As others watered the stairway and the roof, a team of 20 firefighters climbed the narrow stairway of the south tower, crossed to the north tower, lowered hoses to be connected to fire engines outside the cathedral, and sprayed water on the fire beneath the bells. By 21:45, they brought the fire under control.[81] The main structure was intact; firefighters saved the façade, towers, walls, buttresses, and stained-glass windows. The stone vaulting that forms the ceiling of the cathedral had several holes but was otherwise intact.[84] The Great Organ, which has over 8,000 pipes and was built by François Thierry in the 18th century was also saved but damaged by water.[85] Because of the renovation, the copper statues on the flèche had been removed before the fire.[86] About 500 firefighters helped to battle the fire, President Emmanuel Macron said. One firefighter was seriously injured and two police officers were hurt during the blaze.[87] No Christmas Mass was held in 2019 for the first time in more than 200 years.[88] The first cathedral choir performance since the fire took place in December 2020; only eight members sang because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. A video of the event aired just before midnight on 24 December.[89] The 2019 fire destroyed Notre-Dame's wooden roof and flèche but left the outer structure largely intact. The 2019 fire destroyed Notre-Dame's wooden roof and flèche but left the outer structure largely intact. The flèche aflame during the 2019 fire, before its collapse The flèche aflame during the 2019 fire, before its collapse Animation showing the south façade before and after the fire; scaffolding had been erected as part of renovations underway when the fire started Animation showing the south façade before and after the fire; scaffolding had been erected as part of renovations underway when the fire started The area directly under the crossing and two other cells of vaulting collapsed The area directly under the crossing and two other cells of vaulting collapsed In red, the destroyed parts In red, the destroyed parts Stabilisation of the building The roof reduced to piles of char at the top of the mostly intact vaults Immediately after the fire, Macron promised that Notre-Dame would be restored, and called for the work to be completed within five years.[90][91][92][93] An international architectural competition was announced to redesign the flèche and roof.[94] The announcement drew criticism in the international press from heritage academics and professionals who faulted the French government for being too focused on quickly building a new flèche, and neglecting to frame its response holistically as an inclusive social process encompassing the whole building and its long-term users.[95][96] A new law was drafted to make Notre-Dame exempt from existing heritage laws and procedures, which prompted an open letter to Macron signed by over 1,170 heritage experts urging respect for existing regulations.[97] The law, which passed on 11 May 2019, was hotly debated in the French National Assembly, with opponents accusing Macron's administration of using Notre-Dame for political grandstanding, and defenders arguing the need for expediency and tax breaks to encourage philanthropic giving.[98] Macron suggested he was open to a "contemporary architectural gesture". Even before the competition rules were announced, architects around the world offered suggestions: the proposals included a 100-metre (330 ft) flèche made of carbon fibre, covered with gold leaf; a roof built of stained glass; a greenhouse; a garden with trees, open to the sky; and a column of light pointed upwards. A poll published in the French newspaper Le Figaro on 8 May 2019 showed that 55% of French respondents wanted a flèche identical to the original. French culture minister Franck Riester promised that the restoration would not be hasty.[99] On 29 July 2019, the French National Assembly enacted a law requiring that the restoration must "preserve the historic, artistic and architectural interest of the monument."[100] In October 2019, the French government announced that the first stage of reconstruction, the stabilising of the structure against collapse, would last until the end of 2020. In December 2019, Monseigneur Patrick Chauvet, the rector of the cathedral, said there was still a 50% chance that Notre-Dame could not be saved due to the risk of the remaining scaffolding falling onto the three damaged vaults.[101][102] Reconstruction could not begin before early 2021. Macron announced that he hoped the reconstructed Cathedral could be finished in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics.[103] The first task of the restoration was the removal of 250–300 tonnes of melted metal tubes, the remains of the scaffolding, which could have fallen onto the vaults and caused further structural damage. This began in February 2020.[104] A crane 84 metres (276 ft) high was put in place next to the cathedral to help remove the scaffolding.[105] The work was completed in November 2020.[106] Wooden support beams were added to stabilise the flying buttresses and other structures.[107] On 10 April 2020, the archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, and a handful of participants, all in protective clothing to prevent exposure to lead dust, performed a Good Friday service inside the cathedral.[108] Music was provided by the violinist Renaud Capuçon; the lectors were the actors Philippe Torreton and Judith Chemla.[109] Chemla gave an a cappella rendition of Ave Maria.[110] Heading reconstruction In February 2021, the selection of oak trees to replace the flèche and roof timbers destroyed by the fire began. A thousand mature trees were chosen from the forests of France, each of a diameter of 50 to 90 centimetres (20 to 35 in) and a height of 8 to 14 metres (26 to 46 ft), and an age of several hundred years. Once cut, the trees had to dry for 12 to 18 months. The trees were to be replaced by new plantings.[111] Two years after the fire, a news report stated that: "there is still a hole on top of the church. They're also building a replica of the church's spire". More oak trees needed to be shipped to Paris, where they would need to be dried before use.[112] The oaks used to make the framework were tested and selected by Sylvatest.[113] On 18 September 2021, the public agency overseeing the Cathedral stated that the safety work was completed, the cathedral was fully secured, and that reconstruction would begin within a few months.[114] Research In 2022, a preventive dig carried out between February and April before the construction of a scaffold for reconstructing the cathedral's flèche unearthed several statues and tombs under the cathedral.[115] One of the discoveries was a 14th-century lead sarcophagus found 20 m (65 ft) below where the transept crosses the church's 12th-century nave.[116] On 14 April 2022, France's National Preventive Archaeological Research Institute (INRAP [fr]) announced that the sarcophagus was extracted from the cathedral and that scientists had examined the casket using an endoscopic camera, revealing the upper part of a skeleton.[117] An opening was discovered below the cathedral floor, likely made around 1230 when the Gothic cathedral was first under construction; inside were fragments of a choir screen dating from the 13th century that had been destroyed in the early 18th century.[118] In March 2023, archaeologists uncovered thousands of metal staples in various parts of the cathedral, some dating back to the early 1160s. The archaeologists concluded that "Notre Dame is now unquestionably the first known Gothic cathedral where iron was massively used to bind stones as a proper construction material."[119][120][121] Ongoing stabilization of Notre-Dame in February 2020 Ongoing stabilization of Notre-Dame in February 2020 Stabilization of Notre-Dame and removal of roof debris and scaffolding in February 2020 Stabilization of Notre-Dame and removal of roof debris and scaffolding in February 2020 Front view of Notre-Dame in January 2023 Front view of Notre-Dame in January 2023 Southwest corner of Notre-Dame in September 2023 Southwest corner of Notre-Dame in September 2023 Reopening Main article: Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris The cathedral reopened on 7 December 2024 in a ceremony presided over by Laurent Ulrich, the Archbishop of Paris, and attended by 1,500 world leaders and dignitaries such as US President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain's Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pope Francis declined an invitation from Macron to attend the reopening, holding a consistory in Rome to create 21 new cardinals on that day and planning a visit to the French island of Corsica the following week.[122][123] Colour and controversy The colour of the restored interior would be "a shock" to some returning visitors, according to General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the French army officer heading the restoration. "The whiteness under the dirt was quite spectacular".[124] The stone was sprayed with a latex solution to remove accumulated grime and soot. The cleaning of the church interior with latex solutions was criticised by Michael Daley of Artwatch UK, referring to the earlier cleaning of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. He asked, "Is there any good basis for wishing to present an artificially brightened and ahistorical white interior?"[125] Jean-Michel Guilemont of the French Ministry of culture responded, "The interior elevations will regain their original colour, since the chapels and side aisles were very dirty. Of course it is not a white colour. The stone has a blonde colour, and the architects are very attentive to obtaining a patina which respects the centuries".[126] New window controversy St. Eloi Chapel window proposed for replacement by a modernist window A new controversy arose in late 2024 over a proposal by French President Macron and the Archbishop Laurent Ulrich to replace six stained glass windows installed in chapels in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc and undamaged by the fire, with six modernist windows designed by contemporary artist Claire Tabouret. Tabouret won a competition sponsored by the French government for a new window design. Her proposed windows would realistically depict people from different cultures praying. The proposed windows are strongly opposed by preservationists, who want the cathedral to be restored exactly as it was before the fire.[127] Towers and the flèche Main article: Spire of Notre-Dame de Paris Towers on west façade (1220–1250) Towers on west façade (1220–1250) The gallery of chimeras pictured in 1910 by Georges Redon The gallery of chimeras pictured in 1910 by Georges Redon The 19th-century flèche The 19th-century flèche The rooster reliquary at the top of the flèche. It was found lightly damaged in the rubble after the 2019 fire. The rooster reliquary at the top of the flèche. It was found lightly damaged in the rubble after the 2019 fire. The flèche from above, in 2013 The flèche from above, in 2013 Statue of Thomas the Apostle, with the features of restorer Viollet-le-Duc, at the base of the flèche Statue of Thomas the Apostle, with the features of restorer Viollet-le-Duc, at the base of the flèche The two towers are 69 metres (226 ft) high. The towers were the last major element of the cathedral to be constructed. The south tower was built first, between 1220 and 1240, and the north tower between 1235 and 1250. The newer north tower is slightly larger, as can be seen when they are viewed from directly in front of the church. The contrefort or buttress of the north tower is also larger.[128] The cathedral's main peal of bells is within these towers. The south tower was accessible to visitors by a stairway, whose entrance was on the south side of the tower. The stairway has 387 steps, and has a stop at the Gothic hall at the level of the rose window, where visitors could look over the parvis and see a collection of paintings and sculpture from earlier periods of the cathedral's history. The cathedral's flèche (or spirelet) was located over the transept. The original flèche was constructed in the 13th century, probably between 1220 and 1230. It was battered, weakened and bent by the wind over five centuries, and was removed in 1786. During the 19th-century restoration, Viollet-le-Duc recreated it, making a new version of oak covered with lead. The entire flèche weighed 750 tonnes. The rooster weathervane on top of the flèche has both a religious and political symbolism. The rooster is the symbol of the French state, which since 1905 has owned Notre-Dame and the other 86 cathedrals in France. It is found over all French cathedrals, as well as over the entrance of the Elysée Palace, the residence of the French president, on other government buildings, and on French postage stamps. Following Viollet-le-Duc's plans, the flèche was surrounded by copper statues of the twelve Apostles—a group of three at each point of the compass. In front of each group is a symbol representing one of the four evangelists: a winged ox for Saint Luke,[129] a lion for Saint Mark, an eagle for Saint John and an angel for Saint Matthew. Just days prior to the fire, the statues were removed for restoration.[130] While in place, they had faced outwards towards Paris, except one: the statue of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of architects, faced the flèche, and had the features of Viollet-le-Duc. The rooster weathervane at the top of the flèche contained three relics: a tiny piece from the Crown of Thorns in the cathedral treasury, and relics of Saint Denis and Saint Genevieve, patron saints of Paris. They were placed there in 1935 by Archbishop Jean Verdier, to protect the congregation from lightning or other harm. The rooster was recovered in the rubble shortly after the fire,[131] and has since been on display inside the reopened cathedral. The new flèche was put in place on 16 December 2023, and a new gilded rooster sculpture, designed by architect Philippe Villeneuve, was also installed, containing the same relics as old flèche, as well as the names of two thousand people who had participated in the reconstruction. Iconography–the "poor people's book" See also: List of sculptures in Notre-Dame de Paris The Gothic cathedral was a liber pauperum, a "poor people's book", covered with sculptures vividly illustrating biblical stories, for the vast majority of parishioners who were, at the time, illiterate. To add to the effect, all of the sculpture on the façades was originally painted and gilded.[132] Illustration of the Last Judgment, central portal of west façade Illustration of the Last Judgment, central portal of west façade The martyr Saint Denis, holding his head, over the Portal of the Virgin The martyr Saint Denis, holding his head, over the Portal of the Virgin The serpent tempts Adam and Eve; on the Portal of the Virgin The serpent tempts Adam and Eve; on the Portal of the Virgin Archangel Michael and Satan weighing souls during the Last Judgment (central portal, west façade) Archangel Michael and Satan weighing souls during the Last Judgment (central portal, west façade) A strix on the west façade A strix on the west façade Gargoyles were the rainspouts of the cathedral Gargoyles were the rainspouts of the cathedral Chimera on the façade Chimera on the façade Allegory of alchemy, central portal Allegory of alchemy, central portal Ecclesia and Synagoga, statues on each side of the west façade Ecclesia and Synagoga, statues on each side of the west façade The tympanum over the central portal on the west façade, facing the square, vividly illustrates the Last Judgment, with figures of sinners being led off to hell, and good Christians taken to heaven. The sculpture of the right portal shows the coronation of the Virgin Mary, and the left portal shows the lives of saints who were important to Parisians, particularly Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.[133] The exteriors of cathedrals and other Gothic churches were also decorated with sculptures of grotesques or monsters. These included the gargoyle, the chimera, a mythical hybrid creature which usually had the body of a lion and the head of a goat, and the strix or stryge, a creature resembling an owl or bat, which was said to eat human flesh. The strix appeared in classical Roman literature; it was described by the Roman poet Ovid, who was widely read in the Middle Ages, as a large-headed bird with transfixed eyes, rapacious beak, and greyish white wings.[134] They were part of the visual message for the illiterate worshipers, symbols of the evil and danger that threatened those who did not follow the teachings of the church.[135] The gargoyles, which were added about 1240, had a more practical purpose. They were the rain spouts of the cathedral, designed to divide the torrent of water which poured from the roof after rain, and to project it outwards as far as possible from the buttresses and the walls and windows where it might erode the mortar binding the stone. To produce many thin streams rather than a torrent of water, a large number of gargoyles were used, so they were also designed to be a decorative element of the architecture. The rainwater ran from the roof into lead gutters, then down channels on the flying buttresses, then along a channel cut in the back of the gargoyle and out of the mouth away from the cathedral.[132] Amid all the religious figures, some of the sculptural decoration was devoted to illustrating medieval science and philosophy. The central portal of the west façade is decorated with carved figures holding circular plaques with symbols of transformation taken from alchemy. The central pillar of the central door of Notre-Dame features a statue of a woman on a throne holding a sceptre in her left hand, and in her right hand, two books, one open (symbol of public knowledge), and the other closed (esoteric knowledge), along with a ladder with seven steps, symbolising the seven steps alchemists followed in trying to transform ordinary metals into gold.[135] On each side of the west façade, there are statues of Ecclesia and Synagoga. The statues represent supersessionism, the Christian belief that Christianity has replaced Judaism.[136] Many of the statues, particularly the grotesques, were removed from the façade in the 17th and 18th centuries, or were destroyed during the French Revolution. They were replaced with figures in the Gothic style, designed by Viollet-le-Duc, during the 19th-century restoration. Stained glass – rose windows The earliest rose window, on the west façade (about 1225) The earliest rose window, on the west façade (about 1225) The west rose window (about 1225) The west rose window (about 1225) North rose window (about 1250) North rose window (about 1250) North rose window including lower 18 vertical windows North rose window including lower 18 vertical windows The stained glass windows of Notre-Dame, particularly the three rose windows, are among the most famous features of the cathedral. The west rose window, over the portals, was the first and smallest of the roses in Notre-Dame. It is 9.6 metres (31 ft) in diameter, and was made in about 1225, with the pieces of glass set in a thick circular stone frame. None of the original glass remains in this window; it was recreated in the 19th century.[137] The two transept windows are larger and contain a greater proportion of glass than the rose on the west façade, because the new system of buttresses made the nave walls thinner and stronger. The north rose was created in about 1250, and the south rose in about 1260. The south rose in the transept is 12.9 metres (42 ft) in diameter; with the claire-voie surrounding it, a total of 19 metres (62 ft). It was given to the cathedral by King Louis IX of France, known as Saint Louis.[138] The south rose has 94 medallions, arranged in four circles, depicting scenes from the life of Christ and those who witnessed his time on earth. The inner circle has twelve medallions showing the twelve apostles. During later restorations, some of these original medallions were moved to circles farther out. The next two circles depict celebrated martyrs and virgins. The fourth circle shows twenty angels, and saints important to Paris, such as Saint Denis, Margaret the Virgin with a dragon, and Saint Eustace. The third and fourth circles also have some depictions of Old Testament subjects. The third circle has some medallions with scenes from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew which date from the last quarter of the 12th century. These are the oldest glass in the window.[138] Additional scenes in the corners around the rose window include Jesus's Descent into Hell, Adam and Eve, the Resurrection of Christ. Saint Peter and Saint Paul are at the bottom of the window, and Mary Magdalene and John the Apostle at the top. Above the rose was a window depicting Christ triumphant seated in the sky, surrounded by his Apostles. Below are sixteen windows with painted images of Prophets. These were painted during the restoration in the 19th century by Alfred Gérenthe, under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, based upon a similar window at Chartres Cathedral.[138] The south rose had a difficult history. In 1543 it was damaged by the settling of the masonry walls, and not restored until 1725–1727. It was seriously damaged in the French Revolution of 1830. Rioters burned the residence of the archbishop, next to the cathedral, and many of the panes were destroyed. The window was rebuilt by Viollet-le-Duc in 1861 who rotated it by fifteen degrees to give it a clear vertical and horizontal axis, and replaced the destroyed pieces of glass with new glass in the same style. The window now contains both medieval and 19th-century glass. [138] In the 1960s, after three decades of debate, it was decided to replace many of the 19th-century grisaille windows in the nave designed by Viollet-le-Duc with new windows. The new windows, made by Jacques Le Chevallier, are without human figures and use abstract designs and colour to try to recreate the luminosity of the cathedral's interior in the 13th century. The fire left the three great medieval rose windows mostly intact, but with some damage.[139] The rector of the cathedral noted that one rose window would have to be dismantled, as it was unstable and at risk.[140] Most of the other damaged windows were of much less historical value.[140] In early 2024 Macron proposed removing six of the seven undamaged 19th-century stained glass windows created by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc in the chapels along the south aisle of the nave, and replacing them with new windows with more contemporary designs. He invited contemporary artists to submit designs for the new windows. This proposal inspired a backlash in the press, and 140,000 people signed a petition to keep the old windows. The plan for contemporary windows was rejected by the French Commission on Architectural Monuments and Patrimony in July 2024.[141] Burials and crypts For the Archeological Crypt located outside of Notre-Dame, see Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II. See also: Category:Burials at Notre-Dame de Paris Unlike some other French cathedrals, Notre-Dame was originally constructed without a crypt. In the medieval period, burials were made directly into the floor of the church, or in above-ground sarcophagi, some with tomb effigies (French: gisant). High-ranking clergy and some royals were buried in the choir and apse, and many others, including lower-ranking clergy and lay people, were buried in the nave or chapels. There is no surviving complete record of the burials. In 1699, many of the choir tombs were disturbed or covered over during a major renovation project. Remains which were exhumed were reburied in a common tomb beside the high altar. In 1711, a small crypt measuring about six by six metres (20 by 20 ft) was dug out in the middle of the choir which was used as a burial vault for the archbishops, if they had not requested to be buried elsewhere. It was during this excavation that the 1st-century Pillar of the Boatmen was discovered.[142] In 1758, three more crypts were dug in the Chapel of Saint-Georges to be used for burials of canons of Notre-Dame. In 1765, a larger crypt was built under the nave to be used for burials of canons, beneficiaries, chaplains, cantors, and choirboys. Between 1771 and 1773, the cathedral floor was repaved with black and white marble tiles, which covered over most of the remaining tombs. This prevented many of these tombs from being disturbed during the French Revolution. In 1858, the choir crypt was expanded to stretch most of the length of the choir. During this project, many medieval tombs were rediscovered. Likewise the nave crypt was also rediscovered in 1863 when a larger vault was dug out to install a vault heater. Many other tombs are also located in the chapels.[143][144] Eudes de Sully was the first bishop to be buried in Notre-Dame. His copper-covered sarcophagus was placed in the middle of the choir where it remained for almost five centuries. Eudes de Sully was the first bishop to be buried in Notre-Dame. His copper-covered sarcophagus was placed in the middle of the choir where it remained for almost five centuries. The tomb of bishop Matifort (died 1304) located behind the high altar is the only surviving medieval funerary sculpture at Notre-Dame. The tomb of bishop Matifort (died 1304) located behind the high altar is the only surviving medieval funerary sculpture at Notre-Dame. Burial vault under the choir of Notre-Dame, c. 1746. Pictured left to right are the tombs of Archbishops Vintimille and Bellefonds, the funerary urn of Archbishop Noailles, and two unidentified tombs. Burial vault under the choir of Notre-Dame, c. 1746. Pictured left to right are the tombs of Archbishops Vintimille and Bellefonds, the funerary urn of Archbishop Noailles, and two unidentified tombs. The tomb of Archbishop Affre (1793–1848) in the Chapel of Saint-Denis. The sculpture depicts the archbishop's mortal wounding during the June Days uprising while holding an olive branch as a sign of peace. The inscription reads Puisse mon sang être le dernier versé! ("May my blood be the last shed!"). The tomb of Archbishop Affre (1793–1848) in the Chapel of Saint-Denis. The sculpture depicts the archbishop's mortal wounding during the June Days uprising while holding an olive branch as a sign of peace. The inscription reads Puisse mon sang être le dernier versé! ("May my blood be the last shed!"). Great organ The great organ One of the earliest organs at Notre-Dame was built in 1403 by Frédéric Schambantz. It was rebuilt many times over the course of 300 years; 12 pipes and some wood survive from this ancient instrument. It was replaced between 1730 and 1738 by François Thierry, then once again rebuilt by François-Henri Clicquot. During the mid-19th-century restoration of the cathedral by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll used pipework from earlier instruments to build a new organ, which was dedicated in 1868. In 1904, Charles Mutin modified and added several stops upon the suggestions of titular organist Louis Vierne. In 1924, the installation of an electric blower was financed by Rolls-Royce CEO Claude Johnson. An extensive restoration and cleaning was carried out by Joseph Beuchet in 1932 which mostly included changes to the Récit. Between 1959 and 1963, the mechanical action with Barker levers was replaced with an electric action by Jean Hermann, and a new organ console was installed. The stoplist was gradually modified by Robert Boisseau, who in 1968 added three chamade stops (8′, 4′, and 2′/16′) and by Jean-Loup Boisseau after 1975, all upon the orders of Pierre Cochereau. In autumn 1983, the electric combination system was disconnected due to short-circuit risk. Between 1990 and 1992, Jean-Loup Boisseau, Bertrand Cattiaux, Philippe Émeriau, Michel Giroud, and the Société Synaptel revised and augmented the instrument. A new frame for the Jean Hermann console was created. Between 2012 and 2014, Bertrand Cattiaux and Pascal Quoirin restored, cleaned, and modified the organ. The stop and key action was upgraded, a new frame for selected components of the Hermann-Boisseau-Cattiaux console was created, a new enclosed division ("Résonnance expressive", using pipework from the former "Petite Pédale" by Boisseau, which can now be used as a floating division), the organ case and the façade pipes were restored, and a general tuning was carried out. The current organ has 115 stops (156 ranks) on five manuals and pedal, and more than 8,000 pipes. In addition to the great organ in the west end, the quire of the cathedral carries a medium-sized choir organ of 2 manuals, 30 stops and 37 ranks in a 19th-century case from the 1960s. During the fire of 2019, it was heavily damaged by waterlogging, but is at least partially reusable. It also had a 5-stop single-manual continuo organ, which was completely destroyed by water from firefighters. It was reported that the great organ itself suffered very little damage (mostly to one Principal 32' pipe and substantial dust) in the fire of April 2019, but will need cleaning. I. Grand-Orgue C–g3 II. Positif C–g3 III. Récit C–g3 IV. Solo C–g3 V. Grand-Chœur C–g3 Résonnance expressive C–g3 Pédale C–f1(keys go to g1, but f#1 and g1 silent) Violon-Basse 16 Bourdon 16 Montre 8 Viole de Gambe 8 Flûte harmonique 8 Bourdon 8 Prestant 4 Octave 4 Doublette 2 Fourniture harmonique II-V 4 Cymbale harmonique II-V 2 2/3 Bombarde 16 Trompette 8 Clairon 4 Chamades: Chamade 8 Chamade 4 Chamade Recit 8 Cornet Recit V (from c) Montre 16 Bourdon 16 Salicional 8 Flûte harmonique 8 Bourdon 8 Unda maris 8 (from c) Prestant 4 Flûte douce 4 Nazard 2+2⁄3 Doublette 2 Tierce 1+3⁄5 Fourniture V Cymbale V Clarinette basse 16 Clarinette 8 Clarinette aiguë 4 Récit expressif: Quintaton 16 Diapason 8 Flûte traversière 8 Viole de Gambe 8 Bourdon céleste 8 (from c) Voix céleste 8 (from c) Octave 4 Flûte Octaviante 4 Quinte 2+2⁄3 Octavin 2 Bombarde 16 Trompette 8 Basson-Hautbois 8 Clarinette 8 Voix humaine 8 Clairon 4 Récit classique: (from f) Cornet V 8 Hautbois 8 Chamades: Basse Chamade 8 Dessus Chamade 8 Chamade 4 Chamade Régale 8 Basse Chamade GO 8 Dessus Chamade GO 8 Chamade GO 4 Trémolo Bourdon 32 (lowest octave acoustic) Principal 16 Montre 8 Flûte harmonique 8 Quinte 5+1⁄3 Prestant 4 Tierce 3+1⁄5 Nazard 2+2⁄3 Septième 2+2⁄7 Doublette 2 Cornet II-V 2 2/3 Grande Fourniture II 2 2/3 Fourniture V Cymbale V Cromorne 8 Chamade GO 8 Chamade GO 4 Cornet Récit V Hautbois Récit 8 (above stops: f-g3, outside swell box) Principal 8 Bourdon 8 * Prestant 4 * Quinte 2+2⁄3 * Doublette 2 * Tierce 1+3⁄5 * Larigot 1+1⁄3 Septième 1+1⁄7 Piccolo 1 Plein jeu III-V 2/3 Tuba magna 16 Trompette 8 Clairon 4 Cornet V 8 (pulls out stops with asterisks) Bourdon 16 Principal 8 Bourdon 8 Prestant 4 Flûte 4 Neuvième 3+5⁄9 Tierce 3+1⁄5 Onzième 2+10⁄11 Nazard 2+2⁄3 Flûte 2 Tierce 1+3⁄5 Larigot 1+1⁄3 Flageolet 1 Fourniture III Cymbale III Basson 16 Basson 8 Voix humaine 8 Chimes Tremblant Principal 32 Contrebasse 16 Soubasse 16 Quinte 10+2⁄3 Flûte 8 Violoncelle 8 Tierce 6+2⁄5 Quinte 5+1⁄3 Septième 4+4⁄7 Octave 4 Contre-Bombarde 32 Bombarde 16 Basson 16 Trompette 8 Basson 8 Clairon 4 Chamade GO 8 Chamade GO 4 Chamade Récit 8 Chamade Récit 4 Régale 2/16 Couplers: II/I, III/I, IV/I, V/I; III/II, IV/II, V/II; IV/III, V/III; V/IV, Octave grave général, inversion Positif/Grand-orgue, Tirasses (Grand-orgue, Positif, Récit, Solo, Grand-Chœur en 8; Grand-Orgue en 4, Positif en 4, Récit en 4, Solo en 4, Grand-Chœur en 4), Sub and Super octave couplers and Unison Off for all manuals (Octaves graves, octaves aiguës, annulation 8′). Octaves aiguës Pédalier. Additional features: Coupure Pédalier. Coupure Chamade. Appel Résonnance. Sostenuto for all manuals and the pedal. Cancel buttons for each division. 50,000 combinations (5,000 groups each). Replay system. Organists The position of titular organist ("head" or "chief" organist; French: titulaires des grandes orgues) of the great organ of Notre-Dame is considered one of the most prestigious organist posts in France, along with the post of titular organist of Saint Sulpice in Paris, Cavaillé-Coll's largest instrument. After the death of Pierre Cochereau, the cathedral authorities controversially decided to return to the Clicquot practice of having several titulaires, and also to guarantee that no one organist would have so much influence over the organ. Guillaume Maingot [fr] (1600–1609) Jacques Petitjean [fr] (1609–1610) Charles Thibault [fr] (1610–1616) Charles Racquet (1618–1643) Jean Racquet [fr] (c. 1643–1689) Médéric Corneille [fr] (1689–1730) Guillaume-Antoine Calvière (1730–1755) René Drouart de Bousset (1755–1760) Charles-Alexandre Jollage [fr] (1755–1761) Louis-Claude Daquin (1755–1772) Armand-Louis Couperin (1755–1789) Claude Balbastre (1760–1793) Pierre-Claude Foucquet (1761–1772) Nicolas Séjan (1772–1793) Claude-Étienne Luce [fr] (1772–1783) Jean-Jacques Beauvarlet Charpentier (1783–1793) Antoine Desprez [fr] (1802–1806) François Lacodre dit Blin [fr] (1806–1834) Joseph Pollet [fr] (1834–1840) Félix Danjou (1840–1847) Eugène Sergent [fr] (1847–1900) Louis Vierne (1900–1937) Léonce de Saint-Martin (1937–1954) Pierre Cochereau (1955–1984) Yves Devernay (1985–1990) Jean-Pierre Leguay (1985–2015) Philippe Lefebvre (1985–2019) Olivier Latry (since 1985) Vincent Dubois [fr] (since 2016) Thierry Escaich (since 2024) Thibault Fajoles (assistant organist, since 2024) Bells Main article: Bells of Notre-Dame de Paris Duration: 3 minutes and 10 seconds.3:10 Emmanuel's volley solo Notre-Dame currently has ten bells. The two largest bells, Emmanuel and Marie, are mounted in the south tower. The eight others; Gabriel, Anne Geneviève, Denis, Marcel, Étienne, Benoît-Joseph, Maurice, and Jean-Marie; are mounted in the north tower. In addition to accompanying regular activities at the cathedral, the bells have also rung to commemorate events of national and international significance, such as the armistice of 11 November 1918, the liberation of Paris, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the September 11 attacks. The bells are made with bronze for its resonance and resistance to corrosion. During the medieval period, they were often founded on the grounds of the cathedral so they would not need to be transported long distances.[145] According to tradition, the bishop of Paris held a ceremony in which he blessed and baptized the bells, and a godparent formally bestowed a name on the bell. Most of the cathedral's early bells were named after the person who donated them, but they were also named after biblical figures, saints, bishops, and others. After the baptism, the bells were hoisted into the towers through circular openings in the vaulted ceilings and mounted to headstocks to allow the bells to swing. Notre-Dame's bells swing on a straight swinging axis, meaning the axis of rotation is just above the crown of the bell. This style of ringing produces a clearer tone, as the clapper strikes the bell on the upswing, called a flying clapper. It also causes horizontal forces, which can be up to one and a half times the weight of the bell.[146] For this reason the bells are mounted within wooden belfries which are recessed from the towers' stone walls. These absorb the horizontal forces and prevent the bells from damaging the relatively brittle stonework.[147] The current belfries date to the 19th-century restoration. Before the French Revolution, it was common for the bells to break, and they were often removed for repairs or to be entirely recast, and sometimes renamed. The bell Guillaume, for example, was renamed three times and recast five times between 1230 and 1770. The practice of bell-ringing at Notre-Dame is recorded as early as 1198.[147] By the end of the 14th century the bells were marking the civil hours, and in 1472 they began to call to prayer for the Angelus three times a day, both practices which continue today. During the French Revolution, most of the cathedral's bells were removed and melted down. Many of them bore the names of the medieval bells, and were relatively recent recastings made from most of the same metal. During the 19th-century restoration, four new bells were made for the north tower. These were replaced in 2012 with nine as part of the cathedral's 850th anniversary celebration. In addition to the main bells, the cathedral also had smaller secondary bells. These included a carillon in the medieval flèche, three clock bells on the north transept in the 18th century, and six bells added in the 19th century – three in the reconstructed flèche and three within the roof to be heard in the sanctuary.[148] These were destroyed during the 2019 fire. Circular utility door (right of center) in the ceiling below the north tower made for raising and lowering bells[147] Circular utility door (right of center) in the ceiling below the north tower made for raising and lowering bells[147] The bourdon Emmanuel, Notre-Dame's largest and oldest bell, cast in 1686[149] The bourdon Emmanuel, Notre-Dame's largest and oldest bell, cast in 1686[149] 1767 illustration of a bell headstock and mounting components (left) and Notre-Dame's original south belfry (right)[150][d] 1767 illustration of a bell headstock and mounting components (left) and Notre-Dame's original south belfry (right)[150][d] 1854 illustration by Pégard showing the 1850 belfry which is present today[151] 1854 illustration by Pégard showing the 1850 belfry which is present today[151] The four 19th-century bells which were retired in 2012 The four 19th-century bells which were retired in 2012 Nine new bells exhibited in the nave in February 2013 Nine new bells exhibited in the nave in February 2013 The second bourdon Marie mounted in the south belfry The second bourdon Marie mounted in the south belfry Clock See also: Bells of Notre-Dame de Paris § Striking clock One of four clock faces of Notre-Dame's 19th-century clock (right). Chimes for the 18th-century clock were once held in a north transept turret, similar to the one pictured left on the south transept. The first clocks used at Notre-Dame were clepsydras. These were used to tell the hours, which were marked by striking bells. In the 14th century Notre-Dame had two clepsydras running simultaneously, one in the cloister and one in the church itself. A lay chamberlain was responsible for keeping the clocks filled with water and to notify a churchwarden when it was time to strike the bells for the hour.[152] In 1766, Guillot de Montjoye and Jean-Bernard de Vienne, canons and stewards of the church fabric, donated a mechanical clock to the cathedral. The movement was installed in a glass cabinet in the gallery beneath the north rose window and rang three bells outside above the north portal. Between 1812 and 1813, the clock and bells were moved to the north tower. A 1.34-metre (4.4 ft) clock face was installed inside the church below the organ platform.[153] During Viollet-le-Duc's restoration in the 19th century, a new clock was made. The 1867 Collin-Wagner movement, measuring two metres (6.6 ft) across, was located in the forest underneath the central flèche within a glass-enclosed room. This controlled four dormer clock faces visible on the transept roofs, two on each side. This clock was destroyed by the 2019 fire. Shortly after the fire, French clockmaker Jean-Baptiste Vior discovered an almost identical 1867 Collin-Wagner movement in storage at Sainte-Trinité Church in northern Paris. Olivier Chandez, who had been responsible for the upkeep of Notre-Dame's clock, described the find as "almost a miracle." The clock cannot be installed in Notre-Dame, but it was hoped that the clock could be used to create a new clock for Notre-Dame to the same specifications as the one which was destroyed.[154][155][needs update] Ownership Until the French Revolution, Notre-Dame was the property of the archbishop of Paris and therefore the Catholic Church. It was nationalized on 2 November 1789 and since then has been the property of the French state.[156] Under the Concordat of 1801, use of the cathedral was returned to the Church, but not ownership. Legislation from 1833 and 1838 clarified that cathedrals were maintained at the expense of the French government. This was reaffirmed in the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State, designating the Catholic Church as having the exclusive right to use it for religious purposes in perpetuity. Notre-Dame is one of seventy historic churches in France with this status. The archdiocese is responsible for paying the employees, for security, heating and cleaning, and for ensuring that the cathedral is open free of charge to visitors. The archdiocese does not receive subsidies from the French state.[157][158] Gallery During reconstruction following the fire During reconstruction following the fire Notre-Dame at the end of the 19th century Notre-Dame at the end of the 19th century An 1853 photo by Charles Nègre of Henri Le Secq next to Le Stryge An 1853 photo by Charles Nègre of Henri Le Secq next to Le Stryge 19th-century vestments 19th-century vestments A wide angle view of Notre-Dame's western façade A wide angle view of Notre-Dame's western façade Notre-Dame's façade showing the Portal of the Virgin, Portal of the Last Judgment, and Portal of St-Anne Notre-Dame's façade showing the Portal of the Virgin, Portal of the Last Judgment, and Portal of St-Anne A 2010 view of Notre-Dame from Tour Montparnasse A 2010 view of Notre-Dame from Tour Montparnasse A wide angle view of Notre-Dame's western façade A wide angle view of Notre-Dame's western façade Virgin of the pillar, 14th century. The Statue of Virgin and Child inside Notre-Dame de Paris Virgin of the pillar, 14th century. The Statue of Virgin and Child inside Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame's high altar with the kneeling statues of Louis XIII and Louis XIV Notre-Dame's high altar with the kneeling statues of Louis XIII and Louis XIV South rose window of Notre-Dame South rose window of Notre-Dame Flying buttresses of Notre-Dame Flying buttresses of Notre-Dame Memorial tablet to the British Empire dead of the First World War Memorial tablet to the British Empire dead of the First World War Tympanum of the Last Judgment Tympanum of the Last Judgment Statue of Joan of Arc in Notre-Dame's interior Statue of Joan of Arc in Notre-Dame's interior Close look of the details on the Tympanum of the Last Judgment (2016) Close look of the details on the Tympanum of the Last Judgment (2016) Façade of Notre-Dame Façade of Notre-Dame French road system's Point Zéro spot on the ground in front of Notre-Dame (since 1924) French road system's Point Zéro spot on the ground in front of Notre-Dame (since 1924) See also flag France portal icon Catholicism portal icon Architecture portal Archbishop's Palace of Paris, destroyed 1831 Architecture of Paris List of tourist attractions in Paris Gothic cathedrals and churches List of destroyed heritage List of Gothic cathedrals in Europe List of historic churches in Paris List of tallest buildings and structures in the Paris region Musée de Notre Dame de Paris Notre-Dame du Calvaire, Paris Catholic Marian church buildings Notre Dame de Roscudon Church Notes Footnotes The name Notre Dame, meaning "Our Lady", was frequently used in names of churches, including the cathedrals of Chartres, Reims and Rouen. /ˌnɒtrə ˈdɑːm, ˌnoʊtrə ˈdeɪm, ˌnoʊtrə ˈdɑːm/;[6][7][8] The growth of the population of Paris and other French cities was characteristic of Western Europe during the Renaissance of the 12th century. 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Retrieved 24 April 2019. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Wikiquote has quotations related to Notre-Dame de Paris. Official website Edit this at Wikidata "Monument historique – PA00086250". Mérimée database of Monuments Historiques (in French). France: Ministère de la Culture. 1993. Retrieved 17 July 2011. 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MontmartreSaint-RochSaint-SulpiceSaint-Vincent-de-PaulSainte-ChapelleSainte-ClotildeSainte-TrinitéTemple du MaraisVal-de-Grâce Hôtels particuliers and palaces Élysée PalaceHôtel de BeauvaisHôtel de CharostHôtel de CrillonHôtel d'EstréesHôtel de la PaïvaHôtel de PontalbaHôtel de SensHôtel de SoubiseHôtel de SullyHôtel de VilleHôtel LambertHôtel MatignonLuxembourg Palace Petit LuxembourgPalais BourbonPalais de Justice Palais de la CitéPalais-Royal Bridges, streets, areas, squares and waterways Avenue de l'OpéraAvenue FochAvenue George VBoulevard de la MadeleineBoulevard de SébastopolCanal de l'OurcqCanal Saint-MartinChamp de MarsChamps-ÉlyséesCovered passages Galerie Véro-DodatChoiseulPanoramasGalerie VivienneHavreJouffroyBradyLatin QuarterLe MaraisMontmartreMontparnassePlace DianaPlace DauphinePlace de la BastillePlace de la ConcordePlace de la NationPlace de la RépubliquePlace des Émeutes-de-StonewallPlace des États-UnisPlace des PyramidesPlace des VictoiresPlace des VosgesPlace du CarrouselPlace du ChâteletPlace du TertrePlace Saint-MichelPlace VendômePont Alexandre IIIPont d'IénaPont de Bir-HakeimPont des ArtsPont NeufPort du LouvreRive GaucheRue BasseRue BonaparteRue CharlemagneRue d'ArgenteuilRue de la FerronnerieRue de la PaixRue de la SourdièreRue de MontmorencyRue de RichelieuRue de RivoliRue de VaugirardRue des Francs-BourgeoisRue des LombardsRue du Faubourg Saint-HonoréRue ElzévirRue FoyatierRue MolièreRue MontorgueilRue RadziwillRue RambuteauRue MondétourRue PastourelleRue des RosiersRue Saint-HonoréRue Saint-DenisRue Sainte-AnneSaint-Germain-des-PrésTrocadéroViaduc d'Austerlitz Parks and gardens Bois de Boulogne Jardin d'AcclimatationBois de Vincennes Parc floralJardin du LuxembourgParc André-CitroënParc Clichy-BatignollesParc de BellevilleParc de BercyParc de la Butte-du-Chapeau-RougeParc des Buttes ChaumontParc Georges-BrassensParc MonceauParc MontsourisTuileries GardenCoulée verte René-Dumont Sport venues Accor ArenaAuteuil HippodromeHalle Georges CarpentierLongchamp HippodromeParc des PrincesPiscine MolitorPorte de La Chapelle ArenaStade Jean BouinStade PershingStade Pierre de CoubertinStade Roland GarrosStade Sébastien CharlétyVélodrome de VincennesVincennes Hippodrome Cemeteries Montmartre CemeteryMontparnasse CemeteryPassy CemeteryPère Lachaise Cemetery Oscar Wilde's tombPicpus Cemetery Région parisienne Basilica of Saint-DenisChâteau d'ÉcouenChâteau de ChantillyChâteau de FontainebleauChâteau de MalmaisonChâteau de RambouilletChâteau de Saint-Germain-en-LayeChâteau de SceauxChâteau and Gardens of Versailles (Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, including the Fresh pavilion)Château de VincennesLa Défense Grande ArcheParis La Défense ArenaDisneyland Paris Disneyland ParkWalt Disney Studios ParkExploradômeFort Mont-Valérien Mémorial de la France combattanteSuresnes American Cemetery and MemorialFrance MiniatureMusée de l'air et de l'espaceMusée Fragonard d'AlfortParc AstérixParc de Saint-CloudProvinsLa Roche-GuyonSèvres – Cité de la céramiqueStade de FranceVaux-le-Vicomte Culture and events Bastille Day military paradeDîner en BlancFête de la MusiqueNuit BlancheParis Air ShowParis Fashion WeekParis-PlagesRepublican GuardSolidays Other Axe historiqueBateau-LavoirBateaux MouchesCafé des 2 MoulinsCafé ProcopeFolies BergèreFountains in ParisLa RucheLes Deux MagotsMaxim'sMoulin de la GaletteMoulin RougeParis Métro entrancesMontmartre FunicularParis MuséesParis syndromeParis Zoological ParkPyramide inverséeWorld Heritage Centre Related List of tourist attractions in ParisArt in ParisParis syndrome vte Catholic Church in France Bishops' Conference of France Province of Besançon Archdiocese of BesançonDiocese of Belfort–MontbéliardDiocese of NancyDiocese of Saint-ClaudeDiocese of Saint-DiéDiocese of Verdun Province of Bordeaux Archdiocese of BordeauxDiocese of AgenDiocese of Aire and DaxDiocese of Bayonne, Lescar and OloronDiocese of Périgueux Province of Clermont Archdiocese of ClermontDiocese of Le Puy-en-VelayDiocese of MoulinsDiocese of Saint-Flour Province of Dijon Archdiocese of DijonArchdiocese of SensDiocese of AutunDiocese of NeversMission de France Province of Lille Archdiocese of LilleArchdiocese of CambraiDiocese of Arras Province of Lyon Archdiocese of LyonArchdiocese of ChambéryDiocese of AnnecyDiocese of Belley–ArsDiocese of Grenoble–Vienne-les-AllobrogesDiocese of Saint-ÉtienneDiocese of ValenceDiocese of Viviers Province of Marseille Archdiocese of MarseilleArchdiocese of Aix-en-ProvenceArchdiocese of AvignonDiocese of AjaccioDiocese of DigneDiocese of Fréjus–ToulonDiocese of Gap-EmbrunDiocese of Nice Province of Montpellier Archdiocese of MontpellierDiocese of Carcassone-NarbonneDiocese of MendeDiocese of NîmesDiocese of Perpignan–Elne Province of Paris Archdiocese of ParisDiocese of CréteilDiocese of Évry-Corbeil-EssonnesDiocese of MeauxDiocese of NanterreDiocese of PontoiseDiocese of Saint-DenisDiocese of Versailles Province of Poitiers Archdiocese of PoitiersDiocese of AngoulêmeDiocese of La Rochelle and SaintesDiocese of LimogesDiocese of Tulle Province of Reims Archdiocese of ReimsDiocese of AmiensDiocese of BeauvaisDiocese of ChâlonsDiocese of LangresDiocese of SoissonsDiocese of Troyes Province of Rennes Archdiocese of RennesDiocese of AngersDiocese of LavalDiocese of Le MansDiocese of LuçonDiocese of NantesDiocese of QuimperDiocese of Saint-BrieucDiocese of Vannes Province of Rouen Archdiocese of RouenDiocese of BayeuxDiocese of CoutancesDiocese of ÉvreuxDiocese of Le HavreDiocese of Séez Province of Toulouse Archdiocese of ToulouseArchdiocese of AlbiArchdiocese of AuchDiocese of CahorsDiocese of MontaubanDiocese of PamiersDiocese of RodezDiocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes Province of Tours Archdiocese of ToursArchdiocese of BourgesDiocese of BloisDiocese of ChartresDiocese of Orléans Province of Martinique Archdiocese of Fort-de-FranceDiocese of Basse-TerreDiocese of Cayenne Province of Papeete Archdiocese of PapeeteDiocese of Taiohae Province of Noumea Archdiocese of NouméaDiocese of Wallis and FutunaDiocese of Port-Vila Directly under Holy See Archdiocese of StrasbourgDiocese of MetzDiocese of Saint-Denis de La RéunionMilitary Ordinariate of France Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Sainte-Croix-de-ParisMaronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of ParisUkrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris See also Cathedrals in FranceApostolic Nuncio to FranceFrance–Holy See relationsFormer dioceses icon Catholicism portalflag France portal Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata International ISNIVIAFWorldCat National GermanyUnited StatesFranceBnF dataCzech RepublicSpainNorwayLatviaSwedenVaticanIsrael Geographic MériméeStructuraeMusicBrainz place Artists ULAN Other IdRef Categories: Notre-Dame de ParisCathedrals in ParisÎle de la Cité12th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in FranceBuildings and structures completed in 1345Churches completed in the 1340s14th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in FranceBasilica churches in ParisRoman Catholic cathedrals in FranceGothic architecture in FranceGothic architecture in ParisLandmarks in FranceRoman Catholic churches in the 4th arrondissement of ParisBurial sites of the PippinidsMonuments historiques of ParisMonuments of the Centre des monuments nationauxBurned buildings and structures in France Paris national capital, France Also known as: Lutetia Written by , •All Fact-checked by Last Updated: Mar 1, 2025 • Article History Top Questions Where is Paris located? What is the weather like in Paris? What is the landscape of Paris? News • Oscar contender 'Emilia Pérez' wins big at Césars, with under-fire Karla Sofia Gascón in attendance • Mar. 1, 2025, 6:03 AM ET (AP) Paris, city and capital of France, situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River some 233 miles (375 km) upstream from the river’s mouth on the English Channel (La Manche), by about 7600 bce. The modern city has spread from the island (the Île de la Cité) and far beyond both banks of the Seine. Paris Paris Paris occupies a central position in the rich agricultural region known as the Paris Basin, and it constitutes one of eight départements of the Île-de-France administrative region. It is by far the country’s most important centre of commerce and culture. Area city, 41 square miles (105 square km); metropolitan area, 890 square miles (2,300 square km). Pop. (2020 est.) city, 2,145,906; (2020 est.) urban agglomeration, 10,858,874. Character of the city For centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. It is appreciated for the opportunities it offers for business and commerce, for study, for culture, and for entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and intellectual community especially enjoy an enviable reputation. Its sobriquet “the City of Light” (“la Ville Lumière”), earned during the Enlightenment, remains appropriate, for Paris has retained its importance as a centre for education and intellectual pursuits. Paris’s site at a crossroads of both water and land routes significant not only to France but also to Europe has had a continuing influence on its growth. Under Roman administration, in the 1st century bce, the original site on the Île de la Cité was designated the capital of the Parisii tribe and territory. The Frankish king Clovis I had taken Paris from the Gauls by 494 ce and later made his capital there. Under Hugh Capet (ruled 987–996) and the Capetian dynasty the preeminence of Paris was firmly established, and Paris became the political and cultural hub as modern France took shape. France has long been a highly centralized country, and Paris has come to be identified with a powerful central state, drawing to itself much of the talent and vitality of the provinces. Paris, France Paris, FranceThe Seine River flows past the Île Saint-Louis in Paris, France. The three main parts of historical Paris are defined by the Seine. At its centre is the Île de la Cité, which is the seat of religious and temporal authority (the word cité connotes the nucleus of the ancient city). The Seine’s Left Bank (Rive Gauche) has traditionally been the seat of intellectual life, and its Right Bank (Rive Droite) contains the heart of the city’s economic life, but the distinctions have become blurred in recent decades. The fusion of all these functions at the centre of France and, later, at the centre of an empire, resulted in a tremendously vital environment. In this environment, however, the emotional and intellectual climate that was created by contending powers often set the stage for great violence in both the social and political arenas—the years 1358, 1382, 1588, 1648, 1789, 1830, 1848, and 1871 being notable for such events. Top of Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany Britannica Quiz European Capitals Quiz map of Paris c. 1900 map of Paris c. 1900Map of Paris, c. 1900, from the 10th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica. In its centuries of growth Paris has for the most part retained the circular shape of the early city. Its boundaries have spread outward to engulf the surrounding towns (bourgs), usually built around monasteries or churches and often the site of a market. From the mid-14th to the mid-16th century, the city’s growth was mainly eastward; since then it has been westward. It comprises 20 arrondissements (municipal districts), each of which has its own mayor, town hall, and particular features. The numbering begins in the heart of Paris and continues in the spiraling shape of a snail shell, ending to the far east. Parisians refer to the arrondissements by number as the first (premier), second (deuxième), third (troisième), and so on. Adaptation to the problems of urbanization—such as immigration, housing, social infrastructure, public utilities, suburban development, and zoning—has produced the vast urban agglomeration. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Landscape City site Paris ParisParis and its metropolitan area. Paris is positioned at the centre of the Île-de-France region, which is crossed by the Seine, Oise, and Marne rivers. The city is ringed with great forests of beech and oak; they are called the “lungs of Paris,” for they help to purify the air in the heavily industrialized region. The city proper is small; no corner is farther than about 6 miles (10 km) from the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It occupies a depression hollowed out by the Seine, and the surrounding heights have been respected as the limits of the city. Elevation varies from 430 feet (130 metres) at the butte of Montmartre, in the north, to 85 feet (26 metres) in the Grenelle area, in the southwest. Are you a student? Get a special academic rate on Britannica Premium. The Seine flows for about 8 miles (13 km) through the centre of the city and 10 of the 20 arrondissements. It enters the city at the southeast corner, flows northwestward, and turns gradually southwestward, eventually leaving Paris at the southwest corner. As a result, what starts out as the stream’s east bank becomes its north bank and ends as the west bank, and the Parisians therefore adopted the simple, unchanging designation of Right Bank and Left Bank (when facing downstream). Specific places, however, are usually indicated by arrondissement or by quarter (quartier). At water level, some 30 feet (9 metres) below street level, the river is bordered—at least on those portions not transformed into expressways—by cobbled quays graced with trees and shrubs. From street level another line of trees leans toward the water. Between the two levels, the retaining walls, usually made of massive stone blocks, are decorated with the great iron rings once used to moor merchant vessels, and some are pierced by openings left by water gates for old palaces or inspection ports for subways, sewers, and underpasses. At intermittent points the walls are shawled in ivy. The garden effect of the Seine’s open waters and its tree-lined banks foster in part the appearance of Paris as a city well-endowed with green spaces. Tens of thousands of trees (mostly plane trees, with a scattering of chestnuts) line the streets as well, and numerous public parks, gardens, and squares dot the city. Most of the parks and gardens of the modern central city are on land that formerly was reserved for the kings on the old city’s outskirts. Under Napoleon III, who had been impressed by London’s parks while living in Britain, two ancient royal military preserves at the approaches to Paris were made into “English” parks—the Bois de Boulogne to the west and the Bois de Vincennes to the east. Moreover, during his reign a large area of land was laid out in promenades and garden squares. Under Mayor Jacques Chirac in the late 20th century, the municipal government initiated efforts to create new parks, and such projects continued into the 21st century. The Promenade Plantée is a partially elevated parkway built along an abandoned rail line and viaduct in the 12th arrondissement (municipal district) of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine River. It was the world’s first elevated park (first phase completed in 1994) and the first “green space” constructed on a viaduct; it has since inspired other cities to turn abandoned rail lines into public parkland. The entire feature runs some 4.5 km (about 3 miles) from the Opéra Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. Located underneath the elevated portion is the Viaduc des Arts, which stretches along the Avenue Daumesnil. Its former archways house specialized commercial establishments. Climate of Paris In its location on the western side of Europe and in a plain relatively close to the sea, Paris benefits from the balmy influences of the Gulf Stream and has a fairly temperate climate. The weather can be very changeable, however, especially in winter and spring, when the wind can be sharp and cold. The annual average temperature is in the lower 50s F (roughly 12 °C); the July average is in the upper 60s F (about 19 °C), and the January average is in the upper 30s F (about 3 °C). The temperature drops below freezing for about a month each year, and snow falls on approximately half of those days. The city has taken measures to decrease air pollution, and a system of water purification has made tap water safe for drinking. City layout Paris Street; Rainy Day and a vision of the modern city Paris Street; Rainy Day and a vision of the modern cityPainted in 1877, Gustave Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day exemplifies Paris's transition from an ancient city to a modern metropolis. See all videos for this article Over the centuries, as Paris expanded outward from the Île de la Cité, various walls were built to enclose parts of the city. After the Roman town on the Left Bank was sacked by barbarians in the 3rd century ce, the fire-blackened stones were freighted across to the Île de la Cité, where a defensive wall was constructed. Neglected in times of peace, it was rebuilt several times over the course of the centuries. The earliest of the bridges to the Left Bank, the Petit Pont (Little Bridge), which has been rebuilt several times, was guarded by a fortified gate, the Petit Châtelet (châtelet meaning a small castle or fortress). The bridge to the Right Bank, the Pont au Change (Exchange Bridge), was guarded by the Grand Châtelet, which served as a fort, prison, torture chamber, and morgue until it was demolished in 1801. From 1180 to 1225 King Philip II built a new wall that protected the settlements on both banks. In 1367–70 the Right Bank enclosure was enlarged by Charles V, with the massive Bastille fortress protecting the eastern approaches as the Louvre fortress protected the west. In 1670 Louis XIV had the Charles V walls replaced by the tree-planted Grands Boulevards, embellished at the Saint-Denis Gate (Porte Saint-Denis) and the Saint-Antoine Gate (Porte Saint-Antoine) with triumphal arches; the Saint-Denis arch still stands. (The word boulevard, related to “bulwark,” originally was a military engineering term for the platform of a defensive wall.) Imitating the arch of the river, the Grands Boulevards still stretch from the present-day Place de la Madeleine north and east to the present-day Place de la République. In the second half of the 18th century, a new wall was begun. The wall was built with 57 tollhouses to enable the farmers-general, a company of tax “farmers,” or collectors, to collect customs duties on goods entering Paris. The tollhouses are still standing at Place Denfert-Rochereau. The last wall, built in the mid-19th century by Adolphe Thiers for King Louis-Philippe, was a genuine military installation with outlying forts. By the time it was finished, it enclosed a number of hamlets outside Paris, among them Auteuil, Passy, Montmartre, La Villette, and Belleville. The rebuilding and economic recovery that occurred after the collapse of Napoleon III’s Second Empire in 1870, along with the expansion of employment provoked by the Industrial Revolution, drew more and more people to Paris—with ever-increasing facility as railways developed. Between 1852 and 1870 the city planner Baron Haussmann razed the walls of the farmers-general and built a number of wide, straight boulevards that cut through the city’s mass of narrow streets. The 19th-century walls were eventually knocked down, and the boulevards were extended in 1925. Today Paris’s many boulevards, old buildings, monuments, gardens, plazas, and bridges compose one of the world’s grandest cityscapes. Much of central Paris was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. Île de la Cité Pont Neuf Pont NeufPont Neuf over the Seine River, Paris. Situated in the Seine in the centre of Paris, the ship-shaped Île de la Cité is the historical heart of the city. It is about 10 streets long and 5 wide. Eight bridges link it to the riverbanks, and a ninth leads to the Île Saint-Louis, the smaller island that lies to the southeast. The westernmost bridge is the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), which was built from 1578 to 1604. Despite its name, it is the oldest of the Paris bridges (others predate it but have been rebuilt). Its sturdiness has become axiomatic: Parisians still say that something is “solid as the Pont Neuf.” The bridge, supported in the middle by the tip of the island, extends five arches to the Left Bank and seven to the Right. The parapet corbels are decorated with more than 250 different grotesque masks. The parapet curves out toward the water at each bridge pier, forming half-moon bays along what was the first sidewalk in Paris; in these bays street vendors set up shop. For 200 years this bridge was the main street and the perpetual fair of Paris. Although the structure undergoes regular repair, in the main Pont Neuf as it exists today is the original bridge. Downstream and just below the bridge, the tip of the Île de la Cité is fashioned into a triangular gravel-pathed park bordered by flowering bushes, with benches under the ancient trees. It is surrounded by a wide cobbled quay that is especially popular with sunbathers and lovers. Where the steps go onto the bridge from the park, there is a bronze equestrian statue of King Henry IV, who insisted on completion of the Pont Neuf. The statue is an 1818 reproduction of the 1614 original, which was the first statue to stand on a public way in Paris. Opposite is the narrow entrance to the Place Dauphine (1607), named for Henry’s heir (le dauphin), the future Louis XIII. The place was formerly a triangle of uniform red-brick houses pointed in white stone, but the row of houses along its base was ripped out in 1871 to make room for construction of part of the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice). The palace of the early Roman governor (now the Palace of Justice) was rebuilt on the same site by King Louis IX (St. Louis) in the 13th century and enlarged 100 years later by Philip IV (the Fair), who added the grim gray-turreted Conciergerie, with its impressive Gothic chambers. The Great Hall (Grand Chambre), which, under the kings, was the meeting place of the Parlement (the high court of justice), was known throughout Europe for its Gothic beauty. Fires in 1618 and 1871 destroyed much of the original room, however, and most of the rest of the palace was devastated by flames in 1776. The Great Hall now serves as a waiting room for the various courts of law housed in the Palace of Justice. In the adjoining first Civil Chamber, the Revolutionary Tribunal sat from 1793, condemning some 2,600 persons to the guillotine. After being sentenced, the victims were taken back down the stone stairs to the dungeons of the Conciergerie to await the tumbrels, the carts that carried them to the place of execution. The Conciergerie still stands and is open to visitors. Paris: Sainte-Chapelle Paris: Sainte-ChapelleInterior of the Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, consecrated in 1248 as the palace chapel of Louis IX. In the palace courtyards is found one of the great monuments of France, the 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel). Built at Louis IX’s direction between 1243 and 1248, it is a masterpiece of Gothic Rayonnant style. With great daring, the architect (possibly Pierre de Montreuil) poised his vaulted ceilings on a trellis of slender columns, the walls between being made of stained glass. The exquisite chapel was designed to hold the Crown of Thorns, thought to be the very one worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. Louis IX had purchased the relic from the Venetians, who held it in pawn from Baldwin II Porphyrogenitus, the Latin emperor of Constantinople (now Istanbul). Other holy relics, such as nails and pieces of wood from the True Cross, were added to the chapel’s collection, the remnants of which are now in the treasury of Notre-Dame. Under King Louis-Philippe, the “sanitization” of the island was begun in the 19th century, and it was continued for his successor, Napoleon III, by Baron Haussmann. The project involved a mass clearing of antiquated structures, the widening of streets and squares, and the erection of massive new government offices, including parts of the Palace of Justice. The portion of the palace that borders the Quai des Orfèvres—formerly the goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ quay—became the headquarters of the Paris municipal detective force, the Police Judiciaire (Judicial Police). Across the boulevard du Palais is the Police Prefecture, another 19th-century structure. On the far side of the prefecture is the Place du Parvis-Notre-Dame, an open space enlarged six times by Haussmann, who also moved the Hôtel-Dieu, the first hospital in Paris, from the riverside to the inland side of the square. Its present buildings date from 1868. Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame de ParisWest facade of Notre-Dame de Paris, France. At the eastern end of the Île de la Cité is the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, which is situated on a spot that Parisians have always reserved for the practice of religious rites. The Gallo-Roman boatmen of the cité erected their altar to Jupiter there (it is now in the city’s Museum of the Middle Ages), and, when Christianity was established, a church was built on the temple site. The reputed first bishop of Paris, St. Denis, became its patron saint. The red in the colours of Paris represents the blood of this martyr, who, in popular legend, after decapitation, picked up his head and walked. When Maurice de Sully became bishop in 1159, he decided to replace the decrepit cathedral of Saint-Étienne and the 6th-century Notre-Dame with a church in the new Gothic style. The style was conceived in France, and a new structural development, the flying buttress, which added to the beauty of the exterior and permitted interior columns to soar to new heights, was introduced in the building of Notre-Dame. Construction began in 1163 and continued until 1345. Notre-Dame Cathedral Notre-Dame CathedralGargoyles on the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, added by restoration architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, 1845–64. After being damaged during the French Revolution, the church was sold at auction to a building-materials merchant. Napoleon I came to power in time to annul the sale, and he ordered that the edifice be redecorated for his coronation as emperor in 1804. King Louis-Philippe later initiated restoration of the neglected church. The architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc worked from 1845 to 1864 to restore the monument. Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame de ParisNotre-Dame de Paris at night. By the 21st century, prolonged exposure to the weather and decades of damage from acid rain had compromised much of the cathedral’s exterior stonework, and the French government spent millions of euros annually on restoration and maintenance. In April 2019, during one such renovation project, Notre-Dame was ravaged by a fire that destroyed its roof and caused its iconic steeple to collapse. Like all cathedrals in France, Notre-Dame is the property of the state, although its operation as a religious institution is left entirely to the Roman Catholic Church. A few 16th- and 17th-century buildings survive north of the cathedral. They are what remains of the Cloister of the Cathedral Chapter, whose school was famous long before the new cathedral was built. Early in the 12th century one of its theologians, Peter Abelard, left the cloister with his disciples, crossed to the Left Bank, and set up an independent school in the open air in the Convent of the Paraclete near the present-day Place Maubert. After a prolonged struggle with the monks of Saint-Denis, the followers of Abelard in 1200 won the right, from both the king and the pope, to form and govern their own community. This was the beginning of the University of Paris. Île Saint-Louis In 1627 Louis XIII granted a 60-year lease on two mudbanks behind the Île de la Cité to a contractor, Christophe Marie, and two financiers. It was 37 years before Marie was able to unite the islets, dike the circumference, lay out a central avenue with 10 lateral streets, and rent space to householders. The church of Saint-Louis-en-l’Île was begun the same year, 1664, but one of the finest houses, by Louis Le Vau, had been completed as early as 1640. Another, the Hôtel de Lauzun, a few yards upstream on the Quai d’Anjou, was completed in 1657. The Marie Bridge to the Right Bank, which was completed as part of the contract, is the original span, although it has been modified for modern traffic. The Île Saint-Louis constitutes a tranquil neighbourhood in the centre of the busy city. The Louvre Louvre Museum Louvre MuseumLouvre Museum, Paris, with pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. On the Right Bank, just north of the western tip of the Île de la Cité, stands the Louvre, one of the world’s largest palaces. Though it was completed only in 1852, it originated in the Middle Ages. Vikings camped on the site during their unsuccessful siege of Paris in 885, and in about 1200 King Philip II had a square crusader’s castle built on the same site, just outside the new city wall, to buttress the western defenses. Over the following centuries many additions and renovations were made, and from the castle grew the present-day palace. From the original square, known as the Cour Carrée (Square Court), two galleries extend westward for about 1,640 feet (500 metres), one along the river and the other along the rue de Rivoli. In 1871, only 19 years after the huge oblong was completed, its western face, the Tuileries Palace (begun 1563), was destroyed by the insurrectionists of the Commune of Paris. Two of the facades of the Cour Carrée had strong influence on French architecture. Pierre Lescot began his inner courtyard facade in 1546, adapting the Renaissance rhythms and orders he had observed in Italy and adding purely French decoration to the classical motifs. The physician and architect Claude Perrault collaborated with Louis Le Vau, architect to the king, to design the outer east face of the palace in 1673. It too employs classic elements, making especially graceful use of coupled columns and a pediment. Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci: Mona LisaMona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503–19; in the Louvre, Paris. The Louvre Museum occupies the four sides of the palace around the Cour Carrée as well as portions of the two galleries. Among the treasures of the museum are the Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and the Mona Lisa. The enormous collections contain works spanning at least 26 centuries, with a huge cultural and geographic spread. The north gallery, along the rue de Rivoli, houses a separate museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts (Musée des Arts Décoratifs), as well as the national finance ministry. Extensive remodeling has been undertaken throughout the Louvre to increase space for artworks. Construction in the 1980s created a new main entrance and underground reception hall in the vast Napoleon Courtyard, between the two galleries; the large glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei to cover the entrance aroused both strong support and spirited criticism. Top of Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany Britannica Quiz European Capitals Quiz The “Triumphal Way” Northwest from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (Carrousel Triumphal Arch), located in the courtyard between the open arms of the Louvre, extends one of the most remarkable perspectives to be seen in any modern city. It is sometimes called la Voie Triomphale (“the Triumphal Way”). From the middle of the Carrousel arch, the line of sight runs the length of the Tuileries Gardens, lines up on the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde, and goes up the Avenue des Champs-Élysées (Avenue of the Elysian Fields) to the centre of the city’s famed Arc de Triomphe and beyond to the skyscrapers of La Défense, in the western suburbs. Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris 1 of 2 Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, ParisArc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris, designed by Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, 1808. Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris 2 of 2 Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, ParisArc de Triomphe du Carrousel (detail), Paris. The Louvre’s modest triumphal arch, completed in 1808, stands in the open space where costumed nobles performed in an equestrian display—carrousel—to celebrate the birth of the dauphin (heir to the throne) in 1662. The design of the arch, an imitation of that of the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, was conceived by Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine. The flanks of the Carrousel arch are incised with a record of Napoleon I’s victories. The Tuileries Gardens (Jardin des Tuileries), which fronted the Tuileries Palace (looted and burned in 1871 during the Commune), have not altered much since André Le Nôtre redesigned them in 1664. Le Nôtre was born and died in the gardener’s cottage in the Tuileries; he succeeded his father there as master gardener. His design carried the line of the central allée beyond the gardens and out into the countryside by tracing a path straight along the wooded hill west of the palace. On this hilltop the famed Arc de Triomphe was completed in 1836. At the western edge of the gardens, Napoleon III erected a hothouse, known as the Orangerie, and the Jeu de Paume, an indoor court for tennis. Both eventually were adapted as museums: the Orangerie had a small permanent collection, including a group of 19 of Claude Monet’s paintings of water lilies displayed as panoramas; and the Jeu de Paume housed the Louvre’s collection of paintings by the Impressionists and their forerunners. The collections of the two museums—with the exception of the Monet panoramas—were moved to the Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay), which opened across the river in 1986, and the Jeu de Paume and the Orangerie were then reserved for occasional exhibitions. The formal exit gate from the Tuileries is flanked by two winged horses, and the entrance to the Champs-Élysées across the square is similarly adorned, only by earthbound horses. In the 18th century both pairs decorated the grounds of the royal Château de Marly (destroyed during the French Revolution). The original winged-horse sculptures were moved to the Louvre in 1986; replicas now stand in their place. Paris: Place de la Concorde 1 of 2 Paris: Place de la ConcordeHôtel de Crillon (left) and Hôtel de la Marine, facing the Place de la Concorde, Paris, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, 1755. Paris: Luxor Obelisk 2 of 2 Paris: Luxor ObeliskThe Luxor Obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, Paris. The Place de la Concorde was designed as a moated octagon in 1755 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel. The river end was left open, and on the inland side two matching buildings were planned. The ground floor was arcaded and the facade nimbly adapted from the Louvre colonnade, all with a refinement typical of the era. Although Gabriel built eight giant pedestals around the periphery of his place, they remained untenanted until the 19th century, when King Louis-Philippe gave them statues representing provincial capitals. Viewed clockwise starting from the Navy Ministry (Ministère de la Marine), the statues symbolize Lille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Brest, and Rouen. Louis-Philippe also had the Luxor Obelisk, a gift from Egypt, installed in the centre and flanked by two fountains. Later, the surrounding moat was filled in. King Louis XVI was decapitated on January 21, 1793, near the pedestal that now holds the statue of Brest. Four months later the guillotine was erected near the gates of the Tuileries, and the executions continued there for nearly three years. Along the first 2,500 feet (750 metres) or so of the Champs-Élysées, between Concorde and the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées (a roundabout, or traffic circle), the avenue is bordered by gardens. The pavilions in the gardens are used as tearooms, restaurants, and theatres. The Grand Palais (Grand Palace) and the Petit Palais (Little Palace), built for the International Exposition of 1900, sit on the south side of the avenue. The buildings are still used for annual shows and for major visiting art exhibits. From the Rond-Point up to the Arc de Triomphe, the luxurious town houses that lined the Champs-Élysées in the 19th century were later supplanted by cafés, nightclubs, luxury shops, and cinemas, but the street retained its feeling of luxury, and the tree-shaded sidewalks (as wide as a normal street) offered promenades that were the pride of Paris. Beginning in the 1950s, however, banks, automobile showrooms, airline offices, fast-food eateries, and chain stores (many of them well-known global brands) took over much of the space. Nevertheless, the avenue remains one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world. Arc de Triomphe, Paris Arc de Triomphe, ParisArc de Triomphe, Paris, designed by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin, 1806–36. At the top of the Champs-Élysées is a circular place from which 12 imposing avenues radiate to form a star (étoile). It was called Place de l’Étoile from 1753 until 1970, when it was renamed Place Charles de Gaulle. In the centre of the place is the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806. It is twice as high and twice as wide as the Arch of Constantine, in Rome, which inspired it. Jean Chalgrin was the architect, and François Rude sculpted the frieze and the spirited group The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (called “La Marseillaise”). On Armistice Day in 1920, the Unknown Soldier was buried under the centre of the arch, and each evening the flame of remembrance is rekindled by a different patriotic group. In the 1970s the largest concentration of tall buildings in Europe arose some 2 miles (3 km) beyond the arch, on the far side of the suburban wedge of Neuilly-sur-Seine. The quarter, called La Défense, was formerly just a place on the road adjoined by the suburban municipalities of Puteaux, Courbevoie, and Nanterre. Today tall office buildings, heated and air-conditioned from a central plant, are the hub of the complex. The “ground level” between buildings is a raised platform reserved for pedestrians, with roads and parking below. There are shops, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and apartment houses. Before the project was begun, the state had already constructed at La Défense its Centre for New Industries and Technologies (Centre des Nouvelles Industries et Technologies; CNIT), a large exhibition hall. The three municipalities later benefited by the acquisition of low-rise public housing in park settings, a large park, day-care centres for children, and new schools. Nanterre also is the site of a branch of the University of Paris. Around the Eiffel Tower Back within the city limits, south of Place Charles de Gaulle, is the Chaillot Palace (Palais de Chaillot). Standing on a rise on the Right Bank of the Seine, where the river begins its southwestward curve, the palace is an impressive spot from which to view what is arguably the most recognized symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. The palace, which dates from the International Exposition of 1937, replaced the Trocadéro Palace, a structure left over from the 1878 International Exposition. It is made up of two separate pavilions, from each of which extends a curved wing. Several museums, including the Museum of Mankind, the Naval Museum, the Museum of French Monuments, and the Cinema Museum, are located there. Under the terrace that separates the two sections are the National Theatre of Chaillot and a small hall that serves as a motion-picture house of the national film library. The terrace, which is lined by statues, gives a splendid view across Paris. The slope descending to the river has been made into a terraced park, the centre of which is alive with fountains, cascades, and pools. The Trocadéro Aquarium (Cinéaqua) is a few steps away in the park. From the bottom of the slope the five-arched Jena Bridge (Pont d’Iéna) leads across the river. It was built for Napoleon I in 1813 to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Jena in 1806. Eiffel Tower, Paris Eiffel Tower, ParisEiffel Tower, Paris, designed by Gustave Eiffel, 1887–89. On the Left Bank rises the Eiffel Tower itself, an unclad metal truss tower designed by Gustave Eiffel. The tower was built for the International Exposition of 1889, against the strident opposition of national figures who thought it unsafe or ugly or both. When the exposition concession expired in 1909, the 984-foot (300-metre) tower was to have been demolished, but its value as an antenna for radio transmission saved it. Additions made for television transmission added about 79 feet (24 metres) to the height. From the topmost of the three platforms, the view extends for more than 40 miles (64 km). Paris: Military Academy Paris: Military AcademyThe Military Academy (École Militaire), built by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, on the Champ-de-Mars (“Field of Mars”), Paris From the 2-acre (0.8-hectare) base of the tower, the Champ-de-Mars (Field of Mars), an immense field, stretches to the Military Academy (École Militaire), which was built from 1769 to 1772 and later became the site of the War College (École Supérieure de Guerre). The Champ-de-Mars, which originally served as the school’s parade ground, was the scene of two vast rallies during the French Revolution: the Festival of the Federation (1790) and the Festival of the Supreme Being (1794). From 1798 there were annual national expositions of crafts and manufactures, which were followed by world’s fairs between 1855 and 1900. Behind the Military Academy stands the headquarters of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The building, erected in 1958, was designed by an international trio of architects and decorated by artists of member nations. The Invalides of Paris Dôme des Invalides Dôme des InvalidesDôme des Invalides, Paris, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, c. 1675. One street to the northeast of the Military Academy is the Hôtel des Invalides, founded by King Louis XIV to shelter 7,000 aged or invalid veterans. The enormous range of buildings was completed in five years (1671–76). The gold-plated dome (1675–1706) that rises above the hospital buildings belongs to the church of Saint-Louis. The dome was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who employed a style known in France as jésuite because it derives from the Jesuits’ first church in Rome, built in 1568. (The churches of the French Academy [Académie Française], the Val-de-Grâce Hospital, and the Sorbonne, as well as three others in Paris, all of the 17th century, also followed this style. By using the classical elements more freely than had been done in Rome, the French made it something recognizably Parisian.) Salesforce Agentforce What AI Was Meant to Be Sponsored By Salesforce Learn more In the chapels of Saint-Louis are the tombs of Napoleon I’s brothers Joseph and Jérôme, of his son (whose body was returned from Vienna in 1940 by Adolf Hitler), and of the marshals of France. Immediately beneath the cupola is a red porphyry sarcophagus that covers the six coffins, one inside the other, enclosing the remains of Napoleon, which were returned from the island of St. Helena in 1840 through the efforts of King Louis-Philippe. Napoleon’s uniforms, personal arms, and deathbed are displayed in the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) at the front of the Invalides. A portion of the Invalides still serves as a military hospital. Les Invalides, Paris Les Invalides, ParisLes Invalides, Paris. Most of the complex was designed and built by Libéral Bruant in 1671–76; the domed structure was added by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1675–1706. The vast tree-lined Invalides Esplanade slopes gently to the Quai d’Orsay and the Alexandre III Bridge. The first stone for the bridge, which commemorates the Russian tsar Alexander III, was laid in 1897 by Alexander’s son, Tsar Nicholas II. The bridge was finished in time for the International Exposition of 1900, and it leads to two other souvenirs of that year’s fair, the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais. The ministry quarter Running along the river from the Eiffel Tower to the Carrousel Bridge is an area of the Left Bank known as the ministry quarter. Most of the national ministries are located there, along with the headquarters of the Île-de-France region and the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale). The arrondissement is the old Faubourg Saint-Germain, an impeccable address since the early 18th century. As such, it was subject to heavy expropriation during the French Revolution, and ministries are lodged mostly in splendid old mansions and convents. Although imposing, these have been difficult to adapt to the needs of modern administration. When it has proved impractical to spread into adjacent buildings or to construct annexes in the garden, branches have been installed wherever space can be found. Some of the ministries occupy as many as 25 separate buildings. Probably the best known of all ministries is the low-built, ornate Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Étrangères), on the Quai d’Orsay between the Invalides Esplanade and the National Assembly. The address “Quai d’Orsay” has become a synonym for the ministry. art market More From Britannica art market: The rise of Paris The National Assembly is housed in the Bourbon Palace (1722–28), which was seized during the Revolution. Succeeding regimes added bits and pieces onto the old palace, including the Greek peristyle facing the river as ordered in 1807 by Napoleon I. Musée d'Orsay: atrium Musée d'Orsay: atriumAtrium in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris. The old, disused Orsay railway station near the river was renovated and in 1986 was reopened as the Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay) of 19th-century art and civilization. It contains, among other collections, the Impressionist and Postimpressionist paintings—by Paul Cézanne, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, and others—that were formerly in the Jeu de Paume. The Institute of France East of the Orsay Museum, at the point where the Arts Bridge (Pont des Arts) meets the Left Bank, stands the Institute of France (Institut de France), which since 1806 has housed the five French academies. The site was originally occupied by the Nesle Tower (Tour de Nesle), a defense work for the Left Bank terminus of the city wall of 1220. Louis Le Vau designed the additional buildings in 1663 to house the College of the Four Nations (Collège des Quatre-Nations), paid for by a legacy from Louis XIV’s minister Cardinal Mazarin, who had brought the four entities in question—Pignerol (Pinerolo, in the Italian Piedmont), Alsace, Artois, and northern Catalonia (the Cerdagne [Cerdaña] and Roussillon regions)—under the French crown. Le Vau based his designs on Italian models. The five contemporary academies are the French Academy, founded by Cardinal de Richelieu in 1635, which edits the official French dictionary, awards literary prizes, and has a membership of “40 Immortals”; the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, founded in 1663 by Louis XIV’s finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert; the Academy of Sciences, founded in 1666, also by Colbert; the Academy of Fine Arts, two sections formed at different times by Mazarin and Colbert and joined in 1795; and the Academy of Ethics and Political Science, created by the National Convention (a governing body during the French Revolution) in 1795 to ponder questions of philosophy, economics, politics, law, and history. Almost next door is the Mint (Hôtel des Monnaies). In this sober late 18th-century building, visitors may tour a museum of coins and medals. The Arts Bridge leads from the Institute of France across the Seine to the Louvre. One of the most charming of all the Parisian bridges, it was the first (1803) to be made of iron, and it has always been reserved for pedestrians; it provides an intimate view of riverside Paris and of the Seine itself. Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter South of the city centre are the quintessential Left Bank neighbourhoods known as Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin). The boulevard Saint-Germain itself begins at the National Assembly building, curving eastward to join the river again at the Sully Bridge. A little less than halfway along the boulevard is the pre-Gothic church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The old church, which belonged to a Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century, was sacked four times by Vikings and was rebuilt between 990 and 1201. Parts of the present church date from that time. This portion of the Left Bank has long been a gathering place for practitioners of the arts. The dramatist Jean Racine died there in 1699; the painter Eugène Delacroix had his studio in the Place Fürstemberg; publishing houses moved in during the 19th century; and the principal cafés have been meeting places for artists, writers, and publishers ever since. From 1945 to about 1955 it was the hub of the Existentialist movement and an associated revival of bohemianism. It is still a lively centre for literature, food, and conversation. Straight north from the crossroads at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church is the National School of Fine Arts (École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts), the state school of painting and sculpture, on the Quai Malaquais. Two streets south of the crossroads is the church of Saint-Sulpice (1646–1780), the work of six successive architects. The street alongside the church is sprinkled with shops specializing in devotional statuary, much of it on the aesthetic level of tourist souvenirs and known in France as “Saint Sulpicerie.” Eastward to the boulevard Saint-Michel, the area toward the river from the boulevard Saint-Germain is a tangle of narrow, animated streets, which typify the tourist’s idea of a vivacious and noisy Paris. La Dame à la licorne La Dame à la licorneLa Dame à la licorne (“The Lady and the Unicorn”), one of the six pieces of the tapestry, Loire workshop, late 15th century; in the National Museum of the Middle Ages, Paris. East of the boulevard Saint-Michel is the university precinct, self-governing under the kings, where, in class and out, students and teachers spoke Latin until 1789 (hence the name Quartier Latin). At the junction of the boulevards Saint-Germain and Saint-Michel are the remains of one of the three baths of the Roman city. These are in the grounds of the National Museum of the Middle Ages (Musée National du Moyen Âge), housed in the Hôtel de Cluny, a Gothic mansion (1485–1500) that holds a collection of medieval works of art, including the renowned six-panel tapestry La Dame à la licorne (“The Lady and the Unicorn”). The wide straight boulevard Saint-Michel is the main street of the student quarter. It is lined with bookshops, cafés, cafeterias, and movie houses. The buildings of the university are found on smaller streets. The university was built up of colleges, each founded and supported by a donor, often a prelate or a religious order. In about 1257 Robert de Sorbon, chaplain to Louis IX, established a college, known as the Sorbonne, that eventually became the centre of theological study in France. The oldest part of the Sorbonne is the chapel (1635–42), the gift of Cardinal de Richelieu, who is buried there. It was designed by Jacques Lemercier and was one of a number of new domed Jesuit-style churches of the period. The Sorbonne served for centuries as the administrative seat of the University of Paris. Following mass student protests in 1968, the university was divided into a number of entirely separate universities, and the Sorbonne building proper continues to serve as the premises for some of these. Other faculties, schools, and institutes have moved to more-spacious sites in the city and suburbs in an effort to ease the overcrowding of the Paris student milieu. The independent College of France (Collège de France) was set up a few steps from the university by King Francis I in 1529 to offer a more liberal, modern curriculum than the narrow theology and Latin of the Sorbonne. Bestowing no degrees, it always has had a superb faculty of well-known specialists, especially in philosophy, literature, and the sciences. At the top of the hill rising from the river, the boulevard Saint-Michel skirts the Luxembourg Gardens, the remains of the park of Marie de Médicis’ Luxembourg Palace (1616–21), which now houses the French Senate. The gardens are planted with chestnuts and are enhanced with a pond for toy sailboats, a marionette theatre, and statuary. East of the gardens at the end of the rue Soufflot stands the 18th-century Panthéon building, designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot. It was commissioned by King Louis XV, after his recovery from an illness, as a votive offering to St. Geneviève and was to replace the mouldering 5th-century abbey in her name. Though intended as the principal church in Paris, it was renamed the Panthéon by the Revolutionary authorities, who made it the last resting place for heroes of the French Revolution. The walling up of a number of its windows and the removal of much interior decoration replaced the intended effect of a light interior space with a gloomy dignity. Among those buried under the inscription “Aux grands hommes, la Patrie reconnaissante” (“To great men, [from] their grateful homeland”) are the authors Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Émile Zola, as well as Jean Moulin, chief of the Resistance in World War II. Northwest of the Panthéon is a steep street named the rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. It was the paved road to Italy in Roman times. The hill leads down to the lively market square of Place Maubert and a tangle of ancient, picturesque riverside streets. The best known of these is the medieval rue de la Huchette, from which the rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (“Street of the Fishing Cat”) leads to the Quai Saint-Michel. Two churches in this area—Saint-Séverin (1489–94), Gothic and humble, and Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (1165–1220), which belongs to the transitional period between the Romanesque and the Gothic—are notable. The square in front of the latter church offers one of the finest views of Notre-Dame de Paris. Cathedral Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Not to be confused with Cathedral (politics). For other uses, see Cathedral (disambiguation). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Cathedral" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) São Paulo Cathedral in Brazil is a representative modern cathedral built in Neo-Gothic style. A cathedral is a church that contains the cathedra (Latin for 'seat') of a bishop,[1] thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate.[2] Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominations with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches.[2] Church buildings embodying the functions of a cathedral first appeared in Italy, Gaul, Spain, and North Africa in the 4th century, but cathedrals did not become universal within the Western Catholic Church until the 12th century, by which time they had developed architectural forms, institutional structures, and legal identities distinct from parish churches, monastic churches, and episcopal residences. The cathedral is more important in the hierarchy than the church because it is from the cathedral that the bishop governs the area under his or her administrative authority.[3][4][5] Following the Protestant Reformation, the Christian church in several parts of Western Europe, such as Scotland, the Netherlands, certain Swiss Cantons and parts of Germany, adopted a presbyterian polity that did away with bishops altogether. Where ancient cathedral buildings in these lands are still in use for congregational worship, they generally retain the title and dignity of "cathedral", maintaining and developing distinct cathedral functions, but void of hierarchical supremacy. From the 16th century onwards, but especially since the 19th century, churches originating in Western Europe have undertaken vigorous programmes of missionary activity, leading to the founding of large numbers of new dioceses with associated cathedral establishments of varying forms in Asia, Africa, Australasia, Oceania and the Americas. In addition, both the Catholic Church and Orthodox churches have formed new dioceses within formerly Protestant lands for converts and migrant co-religionists. Consequently, it is not uncommon to find Christians in a single city being served by three or more cathedrals of differing denominations. Etymology and definition The cathedra of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran Etchmiadzin cathedral in Vagarshapat, Armenia, believed to be the oldest cathedral in the world. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a Catholic cathedral in Nepi, Italy The Cathedral of Brasilia in Brazil takes a modernist form The word cathedral is derived, possibly via the French cathédrale, from the Latin ecclesia cathedralis and from the Latin cathedra ('seat'), and ultimately from the Ancient Greek καθέδρα (kathédra), 'seat, bench', from κατά (kata) 'down' and ἕδρα (hedra) 'seat, base, chair'. The word refers to the presence and prominence of the bishop's or archbishop's chair or throne, raised above both clergy and laity, and originally located facing the congregation from behind the high altar. In the ancient world, the chair, on a raised dais, was the distinctive mark of a teacher or rhetor and thus symbolises the bishop's role as teacher. A raised throne within a basilican hall was also definitive for a Late Antique presiding magistrate; and so the cathedra also symbolises the bishop's role in governing his diocese. The word cathedral, as the seat of a bishop, is found in most languages; however in Europe a cathedral church can be referred to as a duomo (in Italian) or Dom (e.g. German, Dutch, etc.), from the Latin term domus ecclesiae(house of the church) or domus episcopalis (episcopal house). While the terms are not synonymous (a duomo is a collegiate church, similar to the English "Minster") many cathedral churches are also collegiate churches, so that duomo, and Dom, have become the common names for a cathedral in those countries. It is also common in parts of the Iberian Peninsula to use Sé (in Portuguese), and Seu (in Catalan, with its Spanish form Seo), all of them from the Latin term episcopalis sedes, meaning "episcopal seat". In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Latin word cathedral commonly translates as katholikon (sobor in Slavic languages), meaning 'assembly', but this title is also applied to monastic and other major churches without episcopal responsibilities. When the church at which an archbishop or "metropolitan" presides is specifically intended, the term kathedrikós naós (lit. 'cathedral temple') is used. The episcopal throne embodies the principle that only a bishop makes a cathedral, and this still applies even in those churches that no longer have bishops, but retain cathedral dignity and functions in ancient churches over which bishops formerly presided. But the throne can also embody the principle that a cathedral makes a bishop; both specifically, in that the bishop is elected within the cathedral and is inaugurated by being enthroned within the cathedral by acclamation of clergy and laity; and also generally, in that the bishops' essential qualifications of regular prayer, higher learning and musical worship were for many centuries, primarily accessible through cathedral functions. In this there is a distinction between those church traditions, predominantly those of Eastern Orthodox Christianity but formerly also including Celtic churches in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, whose bishops came to be made in monasteries; and those church traditions whose bishops have tended predominantly to arise through the ranks of cathedral clergy.[6] In the Catholic or Roman Catholic tradition, the term cathedral correctly applies only to a church that houses the seat of the bishop of a diocese. The abbey church of a territorial abbey serves the same function (that is, houses the seat of the abbot), but does not acquire the title. In any other jurisdiction canonically equivalent to a diocese but not canonically erected as such (prelature, vicariate, ordinariate, prefecture, apostolic administration), the church that serves this function is correctly called the "principal church" of the respective entity—though some have coopted the term cathedral anyway. The Catholic Church also uses the following terms. A pro-cathedral is a parish or other church used temporarily as a cathedral, usually while the cathedral of a diocese is under construction, renovation, or repair. This designation applies only as long as the temporary use continues. A co-cathedral is a second cathedral in a diocese that has two sees. This situation can arise in various ways such as a merger of two former dioceses, preparation to split a diocese, or perceived need to perform cathedral functions in a second location due to the expanse of the diocesan territory. A proto-cathedral (lit. 'first cathedral') is the former cathedral of a transferred see. Despite its size and historic importance, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Holy See of the Catholic Church, is not officially a cathedral.[7] The cathedral church of a metropolitan bishop is called a metropolitan cathedral. The term cathedral actually carries no implication as to the size or ornateness of the building, although many cathedrals are impressive edifices simply because diocesan celebrations typically require the capacity of one of the larger churches in the diocese. Thus, the term cathedral is often applied colloquially to large and impressive churches that do not function as cathedrals (e.g. the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø, Norway). Simon Jenkins' guidebook on European cathedrals intentionally includes several churches that have never been cathedrals (Ulm Minster and the Sagrada Família, a minor basilica in Barcelona) or that were formerly designated so (Westminster Abbey and Basel Minster).[8] History and organization of the Early Church Origins and characteristics of the first cathedrals in Europe The Patriarchal Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome. The history of cathedrals commenced in the year 313, when the emperor Constantine the Great personally adopted Christianity and initiated the Peace of the Church. Indeed, in strict terminology, there could not have been "cathedrals" before that date, as before the 4th century there were no Christian "cathedrae"; bishops were never seated when leading congregational worship, but instead presided standing on a raised platform or pulpitum. In the third century, the phrase "ascending the platform", ad pulpitum venire, becomes the standard term for Christian ordination. During the siege of Dura Europos in 256, a complete Christian house church, or domus ecclesiae was entombed in a defensive bank, surviving when excavated, in places to wall-top height. The Dura church had been converted out of a large urban courtyard house of standard form, in which two rooms had been knocked together to make an assembly hall, capable of holding 60-75 standing; while a tank had been inserted in a room on the opposite side of the courtyard as a baptistery, with rich wall paintings above it. The large room was indeed found to have a raised pulpitum at one end, big enough for one person in turn to read, preach and preside from; but too low to have been surmounted by a throne, and too small to have contained an altar. Otherwise the large room had no decoration or distinctive features at all. In 269, soon after Dura fell to the Persian army, a body of clerics assembled a charge sheet against the bishop of Antioch, Paul of Samosata, in the form of an open letter. Amongst the accusations was that Paul, who had received the civil rank of ducenarius due to contacts in the imperial court, had improperly erected an enclosure, or secretum, for himself in the church of Antioch; that within this enclosure he had erected a throne from which he presided in worship; and that he had trained a female choir to sing hymns of his own devising. These practices were all condemned as innovations, improperly importing the symbols of his secular Roman magistracy into church ritual; while presumptuously and blasphemously asserting that the person of the bishop in eucharistic worship is seated in the place of Christ himself. Still in a hundred years, all bishops in the Mediterranean world had cathedrals, all sat on thrones within an enclosed sanctuary space, and all had established trained choirs to enhance eucharistic worship. The driving principle underlying this change was the acceptance by bishops, more or less willingly, of an imperial invitation to adopt and maintain the duties, dignity and insignia proper to a public magistrate.[9] Characteristically a Roman magistrate presided from a raised throne in a large, richly decorated and aisled rectangular hall called a basilica; and now bishops would do the same. The earliest of these new basilican cathedrals of which substantial remains are still visible (and maybe amongst the very earliest to be built) is below the Cathedral of Aquileia on the northern tip of the Adriatic sea. Dated from a mosaic inscription between 313 and 319, the complex consisted of two parallel east–west aisled halls of similar size; with a third smaller north–south cross-hall connecting them, which has been interpreted as the presence hall of the episcopium or bishop's residence. The three halls create an open courtyard, in which was originally located a separate baptistery. Surviving from both large basilican halls are rich mosaic pavements showing (amongst other scenes) Jonah and the Whale, and a series of, mainly female, donor portraits. It appears that similar cathedrals of double-basilica and baptistry were soon afterwards erected in Milan, Trier and Pavia; but that subsequently single-basilican churches became the more common cathedral model. Constantine's declaration of imperial favour towards Christianity transformed all aspects of Christian life in the Roman Empire. From being a minority religion, largely confined to urban areas and restricted social groupings, and subject to official hostility and occasional persecution; Christianity acquired greatly expanded numbers of potential adherents of all classes, initially still within city areas, but eventually extending out to the pagus, the city's rural hinterland. The consequence was a radical expansion in the buildings, funding and personnel of associated Church establishments throughout the 4th century. The first cathedrals represent this expansion in material form. Buildings The location and layout of the first cathedrals varied substantially from city to city, although most, as at Aquileia, tended to be sited within the city walls but away from the urban centre; certain elements are almost always found. Basilicas The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome Basilican halls had previously been characteristic of major civic complexes and military headquarters buildings; but now became the standard structure for accommodating large Christian congregations. From now on, the term basilica denotes any substantial church building. These new basilicas were wholly different in scale from earlier Christian assembly halls, as they were also different in form from any Roman non-Christian temple or religious structure. The halls were longitudinal, aisled, and flooded with light from large clerestory windows. Floors and walls were richly decorated with mosaic and inlay – usually in abstract or floral patterns. The two original double basilicas at Aquileia had both been about 37m by 17m in size, but within 30 years one hall was quadrupled to 73m by 31m. This expanded basilica now demonstrated three additional features that became characteristic of early cathedrals: an enclosure at the eastern end of the church surrounding the altar; a synthronos east of the altar facing west, and consisting of a raised dais with a centrally place bishop's throne and benches either side for the clergy of his familia; and a partitioned-off narthex at the western end into which catechumens would withdraw during the central act of the Eucharistic liturgy. Baptisteries The baptistery in the Dura church was about 1m square and 1m deep; baptismal candidates could stand in it, but could not be immersed. In the new cathedrals, as had been the case before, only bishops baptised; and ceremonies were held not more than twice a year to allow for suitable periods of instruction. So baptisteries needed to be greatly increased in size, with associated accommodation to ensure privacy in undressing, anointing and redressing; and the baptismal tank, commonly octagonal, was now fully deep enough for total immersion, and wide enough to accommodate both the candidate and an assisting male or female deacon. Baptisteries commonly adopted centralised plan forms derived from funerary chapels; and are invariably separate from the congregational basilica. The Palais de la Berbie, an episcopal palace in Albi, France Episcopium No one lived in the house church at Dura; such residential facilities as the latrine and kitchen were removed in the conversion. But cathedral complexes always included an episcopal residence. Prominent amongst the charges that had been directed against Paul of Samosata had been his alleged over-familiarity with pious women. As was common, Paul had been married when elected bishop; and again, as was universally expected for a bishop, he had then ceased sexual contact with his wife and no longer cohabited with her. But his accusers charged that, by continuing to associate with other women (even without any indication of actual impropriety) he was creating an unacceptable potential for scandal. To avoid similar such occasions arising, it was necessary for the new cathedrals to create male-only living quarters for the bishop and his entire establishment; and since, in churches in the West, all presbyters and deacons were also expected to live apart from their wives after ordination, these living quarters, the episcopium, were necessarily substantial in extent. In addition to eating and sleeping quarters for ordained boys and men, the episcopium also commonly provided private dining halls for the hospitality expected of the bishop's enhanced social status, a private oratory or chapel for the bishop, and often a bath house. Finances Chartres Cathedral, France, a famous landmark that draws both pilgrims and art lovers. Just as the episcopal residence was integral within the complex of cathedral buildings, so too there was no distinction between episcopal, diocesan and cathedral property and endowments. In principle, all diocesan income was paid into a common fund, and divided into four fixed shares for each main area of expenditure; the Bishop himself; the cathedral clergy; the fabric and lighting of cathedral and city churches; and charitable donations. Many diocese already held substantial endowments, but income increased enormously with the Peace of the Church; partly due to imperial subsidies in kind, but mainly from private bequests and regular private benefactions (often called 'first fruits'); although at this date, tithe was never paid to the church. In addition, many individual landowners supported private chapels and oratories on their own property; and endowed independent charitable institutions, and eventually monasteries and nunneries too. Bishop's share Augustine of Hippo estimated his personal income as being 20 times that of his father, a minor civil servant; and Augustine was by no means the wealthiest bishop in North Africa. But in accepting from Constantine the status of civil magistrates, bishops were now also committed to substantial expenditure to maintain their new style and status; and also to fulfil the associated duties, for instance in employing qualified legal assessors to support them when sitting as civil judges. Clergy share The Milan Cathedral is a Gothic style cathedral in Italy All ordained clerics attached to the cathedral were paid through stipends from the general fund. This applied both to the clergy working directly within the cathedral itself, and also to the clergy, called canonici attached to churches founded by the bishop within the city. From the end of the 4th century, as the mission of the church extended more into rural areas, 'baptistery churches' were founded in more distant villages, so that rural populations could receive the bishop's baptism locally; and the clergy in these churches also counted as canonici and drew a regular stipend. Fabric share Plentiful donor inscriptions show that most new church building programmes; mosaics, roofs, furnishings, were financed by private donations. The costs of maintenance and lighting, however, fell on the general fund. This also applied to the churches, known as tituli, served directly by the bishop's clergy, generally also including any surviving house churches from the period before the Peace of the Church and the rural baptistery churches; but not to the chapels, called parochiae, established by rural landowners for the convenience of their tenants. The bishop, in respect of his civil status, was expected to contribute to public works of general benefit; aqueducts, bridges, watercourses. Charitable share In all cities, bishops dedicated substantial sums to the support of widows, orphans and the poor. Such donations had been a strong feature of the church in earlier centuries, but tended then to be specifically directed to the Christian needy. Now the charitable compass became general. Bishops were especially expected to take responsibility for raising ransom funds, where local persons had fallen captive. In addition, it was expected that each diocese would support a xenodochium, a hostel for the homeless and strangers. Personnel Noto Cathedral, Sicily, Italy Just as the status of the bishop was transformed at the Peace of the Church; so too was that of the male clergy. With the bishop now resident in the episcopium the other male clergy came to be recognised as his formal familia, in mark of which male clergy now received the tonsure by shaving of their heads; this being originally a Roman badge of adoption. The early church had recognised the orders of bishop, presbyter (priest) and deacon, but a range of minor orders had since grown up in addition; and all were tonsured. These orders now tended to be understood as clerical 'ranks', equivalent to those in the military, such that the male clergy are now often referred to as a "clerical militia". And as in the Roman military or civil service, promotion was expected to follow the principle of cursus honorum, rising through the ranks, with the expectation that ideally, a minimum period would be served in each. The female orders of virgin, widow and (female) deacon remained explicitly outside the bishop's familia; and so they did not receive the tonsure and nor did they progress through the cursus honorum. But all orders of cathedral clergy, male and female, increased dramatically in numbers. Around 540 Justinian ordered that the clerical payroll of Hagia Sophia be strictly limited to 60 presbyters, 100 male deacons, 90 subdeacons, 110 lectors, 25 singers, 100 doorkeepers and 40 female deacons; 525 in all. Bishops Bishops were at the head of the local church; but not explicitly within the cursus honorum, as appointment was by election from the local clergy and people. The clergy tended to favour appointment of bishops from within the ranks of cathedral presbyters; but local lay choice often tended rather to outsiders, either a spectacular holy man, hermit or ascetic; or otherwise a senior civil servant or diplomat, who might have favourable contacts to exploit at court. But most bishops came from the curial class, that is those holding the hereditary rank of decurion with the obligation to serve on the city council, as only persons of this class and above would be likely to have a full rhetorical education in Greek and Latin grammar; without which it was not possible for a boy raised with a knowledge only of Late Antique vernacular speech to express himself in approved classical linguistic forms. Priests and archpriests It was expected that the normal president at both the Eucharist and Baptism would be the bishop, who would celebrate in the cathedral and in titular churches in turn. However, in practice, the bishop needed deputies for the Eucharist and also for the Divine Office of daily prayer, and this duty fell to the priests. The bishop selected a senior priest as archpriest who acted as his official deputy in all ritual matters and as head of the familia. The archpriest was also responsible for the cathedral school. After the 5th century, there were no longer state-supported secular teachers of rhetoric and grammar in the West (other than in parts of Italy) and so the church would have to educate its own. Deacons, subdeacons and archdeacons Just as the presbyters deputised for the bishop in ritual matters, so the deacons deputised in administrative and financial matters, especially in the raising and delivering of charity. At the head of the diaconate was the archdeacon; the bishop's main deputy in managerial affairs. Originally inferior in rank to the archpriest, the archdeacon by the sixth century had established clear pre-eminence. Subdeacons assisted the deacons, but unlike them were allowed to marry after ordination; consequently many clerics stopped the cursus honorum at this point, and it was not unusual for a subdeacon to be elected bishop; and even Pope. Doorkeepers, exorcists, lectors, acolytes and primicerius In practice, the first three of these orders tended to be given together, and were typically applied to boys as young as seven. These boy lectors were too young for the grammar school, but were valued as choristers, and so were included in the Schola Cantorum or choir school. Originally under the responsibility of the deacons, the organisation of choirs was reformed by Pope Gregory the Great, who introduced the office of primicerius or head cantor for this purpose. This proved a vital reform; as without any comprehensive system of musical notation, the only way that sacred music could be maintained and passed on was through professional choirs of sound musical training undertaking cathedral worship – and such skills are not guaranteed to be present in high-ranking ecclesiastics. Women's orders: virgins, widows and deaconesses These orders had been of considerable importance in earlier centuries; but tended to be sidelined in cathedrals from the 4th century onwards. So long as adult baptism continued as a regular occurrence, female deacons would continue to be needed for that service; but otherwise the main factor maintaining these orders was a knock-on effect from the rule of continence applied to bishops, presbyters and deacons. When a man became ordained, and moved into the episcopium with the rest of the bishop's familia; then there would usually also be a requirement for support to their mothers, wives and daughters; and the orders of widows and virgins respectively continued largely for this purpose. Functions Former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Notwithstanding wide differences over time in institutional structures and wider historical contexts; the key functions established for the first cathedrals have tended to remain as distinctive cathedral functions down the centuries; a regular cycle of choral prayer; providing a forum for civic leadership; a commitment to higher learning; and the promotion and dissemination of music. Cathedral churches since 800 AD Rule of the clergy Aachen Cathedral, Germany, founded by Charlemagne in 800 AD, coronation place of the Holy Roman Emperor. Early Middle Ages: religious communities The history of the body of clergy attached to the cathedral church is obscure, and in each case local considerations affected its development, however the main features were more or less common to all. Originally the bishop and cathedral clergy formed a kind of religious community, which, while not in the true sense a monastery, was nevertheless often called a monasterium, the word not having the restricted meaning that it afterwards acquired. In this lies the reason for the apparent anomaly that churches like York Minster and Lincoln Cathedral, which never had any monks attached to them, have inherited the name of minster or monastery. In these early communities the clergy often lived apart in their own dwellings, and were not infrequently married. In the 8th century Chrodegang, Bishop of Metz (743–766), compiled a code of rules for the clergy of the cathedral churches, which, though widely accepted in Germany and other parts of the continent, gained little acceptance in England. According to Chrodegang's rule, the cathedral clergy were to live under a common roof, occupy a common dormitory and submit to the authority of a special officer. The rule of Chrodegang was, in fact, a modification of the Benedictine rule. Gisa, a native of Lorraine, who was bishop of Wells from 1061 to 1088, introduced it into England, and imposed its observance on the clergy of his cathedral church, but it was not followed for long there, or elsewhere in England. The cloister of Canterbury Cathedral with monastic buildings beyond Late Middle Ages: monastic and secular cathedrals During the 10th and 11th centuries, the cathedral clergy became more definitely organised and were divided into two classes. One was that of a monastic establishment of some recognised order of monks, often the Benedictines, while the other class was that of a college of clergy, bound by no vows except those of their ordination, but governed by a code of statutes or canons: hence the name of "canon". In this way arose the distinction between the monastic and secular cathedral churches. Outside Great Britain, monastic cathedrals are known only at Monreale in Sicily and Downpatrick in Ireland.[10] In the case of monastic cathedral churches, the internal government was that of the religious order to which the chapter belonged and all the members kept perpetual residence. The alternative of this was the cathedral ruled by a secular chapter; the dignities of provost, dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, etc., came into being for the regulation and good order of the church and its services, while the non-residence of the canons, rather than their perpetual residence, became the rule, and led to their duties being performed by a body of "vicars", who officiated for them at the services of the church. Reformation Nidaros Cathedral, Norway, became Lutheran at the Reformation Prior to the Reformation all cathedrals of Western Europe were of the Roman Catholic Church. In England, much of the structure of the monastic and cathedral system was reconstituted during the English Reformation. Although the cathedrals were retained by the now independent and established Church of England, the monastic cathedral chapters were dissolved by King Henry VIII and, with the exceptions of Bath and Coventry,[11] were refounded by him as chapters of canons with a dean as the head and other clergy as minor canons. In Germany and other parts of Europe, with the spread of the Lutheran Church, some ancient churches, like Nidaros Cathedral, Norway, and Lübeck Cathedral, Germany, became the seats of Protestant bishops, as in England. Many new churches were built which serve the regional administrative function of a cathedral. However, not all churches that function as the seat of a bishop are known as "cathedral", the custom varying from place to place, according to local tradition. Some are simply designated "church", as occurs at Budolfi Church, the Lutheran cathedral of Aalborg in Denmark. Roles Provosts Metz Cathedral, France, was governed by a provost. In most of Europe, the earliest head of a secular church seems to have been the provost (praepositus, probst, etc.), who was charged not only with the internal regulation of the church and oversight of the members of the chapter and control of the services, but was also the steward or seneschal of the lands and possessions of the church. The latter often mainly engaged his attention, to the neglect of his domestic and ecclesiastical duties, and complaints were soon raised that the provost was too much mixed in worldly affairs, and was too frequently absent from his spiritual duties. This led, in many cases, to the institution of a new officer called the "dean", who had charge of that portion of the provost's duties that related to the internal discipline of the chapter and the services of the church. In some cases, the office of provost was abolished, but in others it was continued: the provost, who was occasionally an archdeacon as well, remaining head of the chapter. This arrangement was most commonly followed in Germany. In England the provost was almost unknown. Bishop Gisa introduced a provost as head of the chapter of Wells Cathedral, but the office was afterwards subordinated to the other dignities and the provost became simply the steward of certain of the prebendal lands. The provost of the collegiate church of Beverley Minster was the most notable instance of such an officer in England, but at Beverley he was an external officer with authority in the government of the church, no stall in the choir and no vote in chapter. In Germany and Scandinavia, and in a few of the cathedral churches in the south of France, the provost was the ordinary head of the cathedral chapter, but the office was not common elsewhere. As regards France, of 136 cathedral churches existing at the Revolution, 38 only, and those either on the borders of Germany or in the extreme south, had a provost as the head of the chapter. In others the provost existed as a subordinate officer. There were two provosts at Autun, and Lyon and Chartres had four each, all as subordinate officers. Secular chapter Chapter House of Oulu Cathedral, Finland The normal constitution of the chapter of a secular cathedral church comprised four dignitaries (there might be more), in addition to the canons. These are the dean, the precentor, the chancellor and the treasurer. These four dignitaries, occupying the four corner stalls in the choir, are called in many of the statutes the quatuor majores personae of the church. Deans The role of dean (from decanus) seems to have derived its designation from the Benedictine "dean" who had ten monks under his charge. The role of dean came into existence to supply the place of the provost in the internal management of the church and chapter. In England every secular cathedral church was headed by a dean who was originally elected by the chapter and confirmed in office by the bishop. The dean is president of the chapter, and within the cathedral has charge of the performance of the services, taking specified portions of them by statute on the principal festivals. The dean sits in the chief stall in the choir, which is usually at the west end of the south side. The stalls of St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland, showing the bishop's throne and precentor's stall. Precentors Next to the dean (as a rule) is the precentor (primicerius, cantor, etc.), whose special duty is that of regulating the musical portion of the services. The precentor presides in the dean's absence, and occupies the corresponding stall on the north side, although there are exceptions to this rule, where, as at St Paul's, the archdeacon of the cathedral city ranks second and occupies what is usually the precentor's stall. Chancellors The third dignitary is the chancellor (scholasticus, écoldtre, capiscol, magistral, etc.), who must not be confounded with the chancellor of the diocese. The chancellor of the cathedral church is charged with the oversight of its schools, ought to read divinity lectures, and superintend the lections in the choir and correct slovenly readers. The chancellor is often the secretary and librarian of the chapter. In the absence of the dean and precentor, the chancellor is president of the chapter, and within the cathedral is usually assigned the easternmost stall, on the dean's side of the choir. Treasurers The fourth dignitary is the treasurer (custo, sacrisla, cheficier) who is guardian of the fabric, and of all the furniture and ornaments of the church, and whose duty was to provide bread and wine for the Eucharist, and candles and incense. The treasurer also regulated such matters as the ringing of the bells. The treasurer's stall is opposite to that of the chancellor. Other clergy Interior of the Chapter House at Southwell Cathedral, England. In many cathedral churches are additional dignitaries, as the praelector, subdean, vice-chancellor, succentor-canonicorum, and others, whose roles came into existence to supply the places of the other absent dignitaries, for non-residence was the fatal blot of the secular churches, and in this they contrasted very badly with the monastic churches, where all the members were in continuous residence. Besides the dignitaries there were the ordinary canons, each of whom, as a rule, held a separate prebend or endowment, besides receiving his share of the common funds of the church. For the most part the canons also speedily became non-resident, and this led to the distinction of residentiary and non-residentiary canons, until in most churches the number of resident canons became definitely limited in number, and the non-residentiary canons, who no longer shared in the common funds, became generally known as prebendaries only, although by their non-residence they did not forfeit their position as canons, and retained their votes in chapter like the others. This system of non-residence led also to the institution of vicars choral, each canon having his own vicar, who sat in his stall in his absence, and when the canon was present, in the stall immediately below, on the second form. The vicars had no place or vote in chapter, and, though irremovable except for offences, were the servants of their absent canons whose stalls they occupied, and whose duties they performed. Outside Britain they were often called demi-prebendaries. As time went on the vicars were themselves often incorporated as a kind of lesser chapter, or college, under the supervision of the dean and chapter. The Palace of the Bishops of Havelberg in Wittstock, Germany. Relationship of chapter and bishop There was no distinction between the monastic cathedral chapters and those of the secular canons, in their relation to the bishop or diocese. In both cases the chapter was the bishop's consilium that he was bound to consult on all important matters and without doing so he could not act. Thus, a judicial decision of a bishop needed the confirmation of the chapter before it could be enforced. He could not change the service books, or "use" of the church or diocese, without capitular consent, and there are episcopal acts, such as the appointment of a diocesan chancellor, or vicar general, which still need confirmation by the chapter, but the older theory of the chapter as the bishop's council in ruling the diocese has become a thing of the past, in Europe. In its corporate capacity the chapter takes charge sede vacante of a diocese. In England, however (except as regards Salisbury and Durham),[12] this custom has never obtained, the two archbishops having, from time immemorial, taken charge of the vacant dioceses in their respective provinces. When, however, either of the sees of Canterbury or York is vacant the chapters of those churches take charge, not only of the diocese, but of the province as well, and incidentally, therefore, of any of the dioceses of the province that may be vacant at the same time. Functions of a cathedral Many cathedrals are important landmarks. Cobh Cathedral, Ireland, rises up above the town. The role of the cathedral is chiefly to serve God in the community, through its hierarchical and organisational position in the church structure. The building itself, by its physical presence, symbolises both the glory of God and of the church. A cathedral, its bishop and dignitaries have traditional functions that are mostly religious in nature, but may also be closely associated with the civil and communal life of the city and region. Symbolic functions of the building The cathedral is frequently the most imposing building, and one of the most ancient buildings in its town. The great size and splendor of the cathedral may be out of all proportion to the town itself. The money and talents expended on the building are seen as honoring God, and may also demonstrate both the devotion and the status of the patrons. Cathedrals are very often oriented east/west, so that the worshipers look towards the rising sun, symbolizing the Risen Christ. The architectural form of the building most frequently has the ground plan of a cross. This form is both functional and symbolic, its symbolism referring to the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The form is liturgically functional as it allows the building to be divided into sections where different activities take place, or that are occupied by different people, such as the clergy, the choir and the laity. St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney has a typical cruciform plan. The main body of the building, making the longer arm of the cross, is called the nave, and is where worshipers congregate; the term is from the Latin word for ship. The cathedral is symbolically a ship bearing the people of God through the storms of life.[13] The nave is also used for major processions, which gather or enter at the furthest door (liturgically generally called the West Door). The aisles on each side of the nave facilitate the movement of people within the building, without disrupting worshipers in the central space. The arms of the cross are called the transepts and often contain a number of chapels. Farthest from the main entry is the sanctuary where the Blessed Sacrament is laid on the altar or communion table for the consecration. "Sanctuary" means "Holy Place". The word has passed into modern English with an altered meaning because traditionally a criminal who could gain access to this area without capture was thereby given the sanctuary of the church. Cathedral buildings of the Western European tradition symbolize the progression of the Christian soul towards Salvation. Many cathedrals of Eastern European tradition are centrally planned. These churches are almost always domed. The symbolism in these cathedral structures is of the hierarchy of Earth and Heaven, and often reveals its meaning through the internal decoration of the building with frescoes or mosaics. Religious functions Music is an important part of cathedral services. Choir practice at York Minster, England. Apart from its organisational function as the seat of the bishop, and the meeting place for the chapter of the diocese, the cathedral has a liturgical function in offering daily church services. Most cathedrals have at least three services of worship every day, often taking the form of matins, Holy Communion and an evening service which is often sung by the precentor and choir. There are often additional services on Sunday. Cathedrals generally have an area dedicated to the performance of choral services and with seating specifically for the choir and dignitaries of the church and town. This part of the building is called the Choir or Quire, and is generally located between the sanctuary and the nave. Because music often plays an important part in the performance of the liturgy, cathedrals generally have a pipe organ to accompany the choir. The baptismal font at Lübeck Cathedral, Germany Cathedrals always have a font or water basin at which the rite of baptism is performed, in which a person is formally accepted into the Christian church. The font is often placed towards the door because the Baptism signifies entry into the community of the church. In some cathedrals, most particularly in Italy, the rite of baptism is performed in a separate building. One of the functions of the cathedral is the reading and expounding upon the Holy Scripture. The cathedral generally has a lectern from which the scripture is read. This often takes the form of an eagle of brass or carved wood which supports the book on its outstretched wings and is the symbol of John the Evangelist. However, some cathedrals retain elaborate medieval structures on either side of the church, one for the reading of the Gospel and the other for the reading of the Epistle. The function of expounding on the scriptures is traditionally performed from the pulpit, which is generally constructed in such a way that the voice of the preacher is projected out to the congregation. The pulpit is often decorated with the winged figures of a man, a lion, a bull and an eagle, representing the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.[14] The services that are held within the cathedral follow an annual cycle. The designated scriptural readings for each day of the church's year establish a pattern that alternates periods of introspection and penitence with periods of celebration, and is punctuated by the two great celebrations of Christmas and Easter. Many cathedrals are places of pilgrimage to which people travel in order to worship or venerate a holy object or the reliquary of a saint. Many cathedrals are regarded as places that have provided rewarding religious experiences, where prayers have been answered or miracles have taken place. Pilgrimage was particularly popular in the late medieval period. Some cathedrals such as Santiago de Compostela continue to attract pilgrims. Civic and social functions The funeral of the Patriarch Alexy II in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow The formal cathedral services are linked to the cycle of the year and respond to the seasons of the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas falling in the winter and Easter in the spring. Cathedrals often hold a service of thanksgiving called Harvest Festival in the autumn. Births, marriages and deaths are often celebrated by services at cathedrals and the cathedral often acts as a repository of local history by recording these events. The cathedral marks times of national and local civic celebration and sadness with special services. The funerals of those famous within the community are invariably held at cathedrals. People who have served the community or the church are often buried within the cathedral with which they are associated. Alternatively, they may be commemorated by a memorial. Some cathedrals, such as Aachen and Reims are the traditional coronation places of monarchs. Cathedrals are important meeting places. After a service at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sri Lanka Another civic function of the cathedral is the imparting of significant civil information. Announcements may be to the populace from the steps of the cathedral, or within the cathedral itself. Most cathedrals have a bell or bells. These are used to announce that a service is soon to take place. They are also used to convey information and celebration. The ringing of peals signifies a time of rejoicing, such as a wedding. An extended ringing of peals or "changes" conveys a time of great civic celebration. The slow tolling of the deepest bell signifies a death or disaster. Many cathedrals have a clock with associated chimes that announce the time. The bells of a cathedral are traditionally used to signal the outbreak and the ending of war. Cathedrals are often associated with significant secular organisations such as the office of the local mayor and council, the local court, the local regiment, schools, sporting organisations and service clubs. The cathedral often has its own school, primarily for the education of choristers, but often including other children as well. The cathedral, often being a large building, serves as a meeting place for many people. The cathedral often forms a centre of different activities related to community service, youth activities, study, music and decorative arts. Buildings Main articles: Architecture of cathedrals and great churches and List of regional characteristics of European cathedral architecture Some cathedrals are major tourist destinations and World Heritage Sites. Pisa is one of the best known. Cathedral buildings, especially those dating from the Medieval period, are frequently the grandest of churches in the diocese (and country). The ancient cathedrals of England, of Northern France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Sicily, the Baroque cathedrals of South America, and many individual cathedrals from Italy and other parts of Europe, are among the largest and finest religious buildings. Many are renowned for their architecture or their decorative features such as sculpture, stained glass and frescos. While cathedral buildings, in general, tend to be large, size and grandeur have rarely been essential requirements. Early Celtic and Saxon cathedrals tended to be of diminutive size, as is the Byzantine so-called Little Metropole Cathedral of Athens. In Italy, with a few notable exceptions such as Florence Cathedral and Milan Cathedral, cathedrals are numerous and are often similar in form and size to monastic or large parish churches. In modern times, where functionality is the foremost consideration and where church attendance is low in many countries, a cathedral church may be a modest structure. Cathedrals of monastic foundation, and some of secular clergy, have cloisters, which traditionally provided an open area where secular activities took place protected from wind and rain. Some cathedrals also have a chapter house where the chapter could meet. In England, where these buildings have survived, they are often octagonal. A cathedral may front onto the main square of a town, as in Florence, or it may be set in a walled close as at Canterbury. There may be a number of associated monastic or clergy buildings, a bishop's palace and often a school to educate the choristers. Cathedrals often contain a wealth of artworks. Tourists visiting the interior of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna. Artworks, treasures and tourism Many cathedral buildings are very famous for their architecture and have local and national significance, both artistically and historically. Many are listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many cathedrals, because of their large size and the fact that they often have towers, spires or domes, have until the 20th century, been the major landmarks in cities or in views across the countryside. With highrise building, civil action has been taken in some cases, such as Cologne Cathedral to prevent the vista of the cathedral from being spoiled.[15] Because many cathedrals took centuries to build and decorate, they constitute a major artistic investment for the city in which they stand. Not only may the building itself be architecturally significant, but the church often houses treasures such as stained glass, stone and wood statues, historic tombs, richly carved furniture and objects of both artistic and religious significance such as reliquaries. Moreover, the cathedral often plays a major role in telling the story of the town, through its plaques, inscriptions, tombs, stained glass and paintings. For these reasons, tourists have travelled to cathedrals for hundreds of years. Many cathedrals cater for tourists by charging a fee to any visitors outside service times or requesting a donation or making a charge to take photos. Cathedrals that are particularly popular tourist venues sometimes provide guides, leaflets, souvenirs and cafes. See also The staff and congregation of the Cathedral of St Joseph, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2023 icon Christianity portal Architecture of cathedrals and great churches Architecture of the medieval cathedrals of England Basilica Cathedral architects in England Cathedral floorplan Duomo Gothic cathedrals and churches French Gothic architecture English Gothic architecture List of Catholic basilicas Lists of cathedrals by country List of highest church naves List of largest church buildings List of regional characteristics of European cathedral architecture List of tallest church buildings References Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, ISBN 0-19-860575-7. New Standard Encyclopedia, 1998 by Standard Educational Corporation, Chicago, Illinois; page B-262c. "What's the Difference Between a Church, Chapel, Cathedral, and Basilica?". What's the Difference?. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2022-04-18. "What is the difference between a church, a cathedral and a basilica?". Bit of trivia. 2022-04-10. Retrieved 2022-04-18. "What is the difference between a church and a cathedral?". The Times of India. May 13, 2006. Retrieved 2022-04-18. Sterk, Andrea; "Renouncing the World yet leading the Church"; Harvard University Press; 2004; p8 Noreen (November 19, 2012). "St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican Is Not The Official Church Of The Pope". Today I Found Out. Retrieved February 14, 2019. Jenkins, Simon. Europe's 100 Best Cathedrals. Eusebius. Life of Constantine. p. 4:27,2. Edwards, Kathleen (1967). The English Secular Cathedrals of the Middle Ages (2nd ed.). Manchester University Press. p. 10. David Knowles; The Religious Orders in England Vol III; p 389 Till, Barry (1993). York Against Durham: The Guardianship of the Spiritualities in the Diocese of Durham Sede Vacante. York: Borthwick Institute Publications. p. 31. ISBN 0903857421. W. H. Auden, "Cathedrals, Luxury liners laden with souls, Holding to the East their hulls of stone" T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals and Churches of Belgium. "Our History". St Louis Cathedral. Retrieved 2018-09-19. Further reading Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathedrals. Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Cathedral". Carl F. Barnes Jr. "Cathedral". In: Joseph Strayer, ed. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner's, 1938. Vol. III. pp. 191–92. Johnson, Paul. British Cathedrals. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1980. ISBN 0-297-77828-5. Richard Utz. "The Medieval Cathedral: From Spiritual Site to National Super-Signifier". The Year's Work in Medievalism 15 (2001), 127–31. Richard Utz. "The Cathedral as Time Machine: Art, Architecture, and Religion." In: The Idea of the Gothic Cathedral. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Meanings of the Medieval Edifice in the Modern Period, ed. Stephanie Glaser (Turnhout: Brepols, 2018). pp. 239–59. André Vauchez. "La cathédrale". In: Pierre Nora, ed. Les Lieux de Mémoire. Paris: Gallimard, 1997. Vol. III. pp. 3122–34. Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata National United StatesFranceBnF dataCzech RepublicSpainIsrael Other NARA Categories: CathedralsChristian terminologyEcclesiologyTypes of church buildings List of World Heritage Sites by year of inscription Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world by year of inscription, selected during the annual sessions of the World Heritage Committee.[1][2] The first World Heritage Site in the list is the Galápagos Islands.[3] The 24th session in 2000 inscribed the most with 61 entries, while the 13th session in 1989 only inscribed seven sites.[2] 1978 (2nd session) (F) denotes the first site given World Heritage Status from its respective country 12 sites (8 cultural, 4 natural) Host: United States Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Canada L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (F) Cultural 4 Nahanni National Park Natural 24 Ecuador City of Quito Cultural 2 Galápagos Islands (F) Natural 1 Ethiopia Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela Cultural 18 Simien National Park (F) Natural 9 ( West Germany) Germany Aachen Cathedral (F) Cultural 3 Poland Historic Centre of Kraków (F) Cultural 29 Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines Cultural 32 Senegal Island of Gorée (F) Cultural 26 United States Mesa Verde National Park Cultural 27 Yellowstone National Park (F) Natural 28 1979 (3rd session) 45 sites (34 cultural, 8 natural, 3 mixed) Host: Egypt Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Albania ( Yugoslavia) North Macedonia (F) Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region Mixed 99 Belarus Poland Białowieża Forest Natural 33 Bulgaria Boyana Church (F) Cultural 42 Madara Rider Cultural 43 Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo Cultural 45 Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak Cultural 44 Canada Dinosaur Provincial Park Natural 71 Canada United States Kluane / Wrangell–St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek Natural 72 ( Yugoslavia) Croatia Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian Cultural 97 Old City of Dubrovnik (F) Cultural 95 Plitvice Lakes National Park Natural 98 ( Zaire) DR Congo Virunga National Park (F) Natural 63 Egypt Abu Mena Cultural 90 Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (F) Cultural 87 Historic Cairo Cultural 89 Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur Cultural 86 Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae Cultural 88 Ethiopia Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region Cultural 19 France Chartres Cathedral Cultural 81 Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay Cultural 80 Palace and Park of Versailles (F) Cultural 83 Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley Cultural 85 Vézelay, Church and Hill Cultural 84 Ghana Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions (F) Cultural 34 Guatemala Antigua Guatemala Cultural 65 Tikal National Park (F) Mixed 64 Iran Meidan Eimam, Esfahan Cultural 115 Persepolis Cultural 114 Tchogha Zanbil (F) Cultural 113 Italy Rock Drawings in Valcamonica (F) Cultural 94 ( Yugoslavia) Montenegro Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (F) Cultural 125 Nepal Kathmandu Valley (F) Cultural 121 Sagarmatha National Park Natural 120 Norway Bryggen Cultural 59 Urnes Stave Church (F) Cultural 58 Poland Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940–1945) Cultural 31 ( Yugoslavia) Serbia Stari Ras and Sopoćani (F) Cultural 96 Syria Ancient City of Damascus (F) Cultural 20 Tanzania Ngorongoro Conservation Area (F) Mixed 39 Tunisia Amphitheatre of El Jem Cultural 38 Archaeological Site of Carthage Cultural 37 Medina of Tunis (F) Cultural 36 United States Everglades National Park Natural 76 Grand Canyon National Park Natural 75 Independence Hall Cultural 78 1980 (4th session) 27 sites (22 cultural, 5 natural) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Algeria Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad (F) Cultural 102 Brazil Historic Town of Ouro Preto (F) Cultural 124 Cyprus Paphos (F) Cultural 79 ( Zaire) DR Congo Garamba National Park Natural 136 Kahuzi-Biega National Park Natural 137 Ethiopia Aksum Cultural 15 Lower Valley of the Awash Cultural 10 Lower Valley of the Omo Cultural 17 Tiya Cultural 12 Ghana Asante Traditional Buildings Cultural 35 Holy See (F) Italy Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura Cultural 91 Honduras Maya Site of Copan (F) Cultural 129 Italy Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci Cultural 93 Malta City of Valletta (F) Cultural 131 Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Cultural 130 Megalithic Temples of Malta Cultural 132 ( Yugoslavia) Montenegro Durmitor National Park Natural 100 Norway Røros Mining Town and the Circumference Cultural 55 Pakistan Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (F) Cultural 138 Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol Cultural 140 Taxila Cultural 139 Panama Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (F) Cultural 135 Poland Historic Centre of Warsaw Cultural 30 Syria Ancient City of Bosra Cultural 22 Site of Palmyra Cultural 23 Tunisia Ichkeul National Park Natural 8 United States Redwood National and State Parks Natural 134 1981 (5th session) 26 sites (15 cultural, 9 natural, 2 mixed) Host: Australia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Los Glaciares National Park (F) Natural 145 Australia Great Barrier Reef (F) Natural 154 Kakadu National Park Mixed 147 Willandra Lakes Region Mixed 167 Canada Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Cultural 158 SG̱ang Gwaay Cultural 157 Côte d'Ivoire Guinea Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (F) Natural 155 France Amiens Cathedral Cultural 162 Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments Cultural 164 Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay Cultural 165 Palace and Park of Fontainebleau Cultural 160 Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the 'Triumphal Arch' of Orange Cultural 163 ( West Germany) Germany Speyer Cathedral Cultural 168 Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square Cultural 169 Guatemala Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua Cultural 149 Jerusalem Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (F) Cultural 148 Morocco Medina of Fez (F) Cultural 170 Pakistan Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore Cultural 171 Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta Cultural 143 Panama Darien National Park Natural 159 Senegal Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary Natural 25 Niokolo-Koba National Park Natural 153 Tanzania Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara Cultural 144 Serengeti National Park Natural 156 United States Mammoth Cave National Park Natural 150 Olympic National Park Natural 151 1982 (6th session) 24 sites (17 cultural, 5 natural, 2 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Algeria Djémila Cultural 191 M'Zab Valley Cultural 188 Tassili n'Ajjer Mixed 179 Timgad Cultural 194 Tipasa Cultural 193 Australia Lord Howe Island Group Natural 186 Tasmanian Wilderness Mixed 181 Brazil Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda Cultural 189 Côte d'Ivoire Taï National Park Natural 195 Cuba Old Havana and its Fortification System (F) Cultural 204 France From the Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, the Production of Open-pan Salt Cultural 203 Haiti National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers (F) Cultural 180 Honduras Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve Natural 196 Italy Historic Centre of Florence Cultural 174 Libya Archaeological Site of Cyrene Cultural 190 Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (F) Cultural 183 Archaeological Site of Sabratha Cultural 184 Seychelles Aldabra Atoll (F) Natural 185 Sri Lanka Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (F) Cultural 201 Ancient City of Sigiriya Cultural 202 Sacred City of Anuradhapura Cultural 200 Tanzania Selous Game Reserve Natural 199 United States Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Cultural 198 ( South Yemen) Yemen Old Walled City of Shibam (F) Cultural 192 1983 (7th session) 29 sites (19 cultural, 9 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Italy Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Brazil Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of São Miguel das Missões (Brazil) Cultural 275 Bulgaria Ancient City of Nessebar Cultural 217 Pirin National Park Natural 225 Rila Monastery Cultural 216 Srebarna Nature Reserve Natural 219 Canada Wood Buffalo National Park Natural 256 Costa Rica (F) Panama Talamanca Range–La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park Natural 205 Côte d'Ivoire Comoé National Park Natural 227 Ecuador Sangay National Park Natural 260 France Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe Cultural 230 Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve Natural 258 Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance in Nancy Cultural 229 ( West Germany) Germany Pilgrimage Church of Wies Cultural 271 India Agra Fort Cultural 251 Ajanta Caves (F) Cultural 242 Ellora Caves Cultural 243 Taj Mahal Cultural 252 Peru City of Cuzco Cultural 273 Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (F) Mixed 274 Portugal Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores Cultural 206 Convent of Christ in Tomar Cultural 265 Monastery of Batalha Cultural 264 Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (F) Cultural 263 Seychelles Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve Natural 261 Switzerland Abbey of St Gall (F) Cultural 268 Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair Cultural 269 Old City of Berne Cultural 267 United States Great Smoky Mountains National Park Natural 259 United States ( Puerto Rico) (F) La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico Cultural 266 1984 (8th session) 22 sites (15 cultural, 7 natural) Host: Argentina Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Iguazu National Park Natural 303 Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Natural 304 Colombia Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena (F) Cultural 285 ( Zaire) DR Congo Salonga National Park Natural 280 ( West Germany) Germany Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Brühl Cultural 288 Holy See Vatican City Cultural 286 India Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram Cultural 249 Sun Temple, Konârak Cultural 246 Lebanon Anjar Cultural 293 Baalbek Cultural 294 Byblos Cultural 295 Tyre (F) Cultural 299 Malawi Lake Malawi National Park (F) Natural 289 Nepal Chitwan National Park Natural 284 Spain Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada Cultural 314 Burgos Cathedral (F) Cultural 316 Historic Centre of Cordoba Cultural 313 Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid Cultural 318 Works of Antoni Gaudí Cultural 320 United States Statue of Liberty Cultural 307 Yosemite National Park Natural 308 Zimbabwe Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (F) Natural 302 1985 (9th session) 30 sites (25 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Bangladesh Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat Cultural 321 Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (F) Cultural 322 Benin Royal Palaces of Abomey (F) Cultural 323 Brazil Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia Cultural 309 Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas Cultural 334 Bulgaria Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari Cultural 359 Canada Historic District of Old Québec Cultural 300 Cyprus Painted Churches in the Troodos Region Cultural 351 France Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) Cultural 344 ( West Germany) Germany St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim Cultural 187 India Kaziranga National Park Natural 337 Keoladeo National Park Natural 340 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Natural 338 Iraq Hatra (F) Cultural 277 Jordan Petra (F) Cultural 326 Quseir Amra Cultural 327 Libya Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus Cultural 287 Morocco Medina of Marrakesh Cultural 331 Norway Rock Art of Alta Cultural 352 Peru Chavín (Archaeological Site) Cultural 330 Huascarán National Park Natural 333 Spain Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain Cultural 310 Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias Cultural 312 Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches Cultural 348 Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct Cultural 311 Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) Cultural 347 Tunisia Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis Cultural 332 Turkey Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia Mixed 357 Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği Cultural 358 Historic Areas of Istanbul (F) Cultural 356 1986 (10th session) 29 sites (23 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Natural 368 Brazil Iguaçu National Park Natural 355 ( West Germany) Germany Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier Cultural 367 Greece Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (F) Cultural 392 India Churches and Convents of Goa Cultural 234 Fatehpur Sikri Cultural 255 Group of Monuments at Hampi Cultural 241 Khajuraho Group of Monuments Cultural 240 Libya Old Town of Ghadamès Cultural 362 Peru Chan Chan Archaeological Zone Cultural 366 Portugal Historic Centre of Évora Cultural 361 ( Yugoslavia) Serbia Studenica Monastery Cultural 389 ( Yugoslavia) Slovenia (F) Škocjan Caves Natural 390 Spain Garajonay National Park Natural 380 Historic City of Toledo Cultural 379 Mudejar Architecture of Aragon Cultural 378 Old Town of Cáceres Cultural 384 Syria Ancient City of Aleppo Cultural 21 Turkey Hattusha: the Hittite Capital Cultural 377 United Kingdom Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd Cultural 374 Durham Castle and Cathedral Cultural 370 Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (F) Natural 369 Ironbridge Gorge Cultural 371 St Kilda Mixed 387 Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites Cultural 373 Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey Cultural 372 ( North Yemen) Yemen Old City of Sanaa Cultural 385 Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe National Monument Cultural 364 Khami Ruins National Monument Cultural 365 1987 (11th session) 41 sites (32 cultural, 7 natural, 2 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Mixed 447 Bolivia City of Potosí (F) Cultural 420 Brazil Brasilia Cultural 445 Cameroon Dja Faunal Reserve (F) Natural 407 Canada Gros Morne National Park Natural 419 China Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang Cultural 439 Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Cultural 441 Mogao Caves Cultural 440 Mount Taishan (F) Mixed 437 Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian Cultural 449 The Great Wall Cultural 438 ( West Germany) Germany Hanseatic City of Lübeck Cultural 272 ( West Germany) Germany United Kingdom Frontiers of the Roman Empire Cultural 430 Greece Acropolis, Athens Cultural 404 Archaeological Site of Delphi Cultural 393 Hungary Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue (F) Cultural 400 Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings Cultural 401 India Elephanta Caves Cultural 244 Great Living Chola Temples Cultural 250 Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Cultural 239 Sundarbans National Park Natural 452 Italy Piazza del Duomo, Pisa Cultural 395 Venice and its Lagoon Cultural 394 Mexico Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco (F) Cultural 412 Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán Cultural 415 Historic Centre of Puebla Cultural 416 Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque Cultural 411 Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan Cultural 414 Sian Ka'an Natural 410 Morocco Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou Cultural 444 Oman Bahla Fort (F) Cultural 433 Peru Manú National Park Natural 402 Spain Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville Cultural 383 Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park Natural 403 Turkey Nemrut Dağ Cultural 448 United Kingdom Blenheim Palace Cultural 425 City of Bath Cultural 428 Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret's Church Cultural 426 United States Chaco Culture Cultural 353 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Natural 409 Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville Cultural 442 1988 (12th session) 27 sites (19 cultural, 5 natural, 3 mixed) Host: Brazil Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Wet Tropics of Queensland Natural 486 Central African Republic Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (F) Natural 475 Cuba Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios Cultural 460 France Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt Cultural 495 Greece Medieval City of Rhodes Cultural 493 Meteora Mixed 455 Mount Athos Mixed 454 Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika Cultural 456 Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus Cultural 491 India Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks Natural 335 Mali Old Towns of Djenné (F) Cultural 116 Timbuktu Cultural 119 Mexico Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines Cultural 482 Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza Cultural 483 Oman Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn Cultural 434 Peru Historic Centre of Lima Cultural 500 Spain Old City of Salamanca Cultural 381 Sri Lanka Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications Cultural 451 Sacred City of Kandy Cultural 450 Sinharaja Forest Reserve Natural 405 Tunisia Kairouan Cultural 499 Medina of Sousse Cultural 498 Turkey Hierapolis–Pamukkale Mixed 485 Xanthos–Letoon Cultural 484 United Kingdom Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church Cultural 496 Tower of London Cultural 488 United Kingdom ( Pitcairn Islands) (F) Henderson Island Natural 487 1989 (13th session) 7 sites (4 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Greece Archaeological Site of Mystras Cultural 511 Archaeological Site of Olympia Cultural 517 India Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Cultural 524 Mali Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mixed 516 Mauritania Banc d'Arguin National Park (F) Natural 506 Portugal Monastery of Alcobaça Cultural 505 Zambia (F) Zimbabwe Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls Natural 509 1990 (14th session) 16 sites (11 cultural, 2 natural, 3 mixed) Host: Canada Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Bolivia Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos Cultural 529 China Mount Huangshan Mixed 547 Dominican Republic Colonial City of Santo Domingo (F) Cultural 526 Germany Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin Cultural 532 Greece Delos Cultural 530 Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios Cultural 537 Italy Historic Centre of San Gimignano Cultural 550 Madagascar Andrefana Dry Forests (F) Natural 494 New Zealand Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand Natural 551 Tongariro National Park (F) Mixed 421 Peru Río Abiseo National Park Mixed 548 ( Soviet Union) Russia Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments (F) Cultural 540 Kizhi Pogost Cultural 544 Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow Cultural 545 ( Soviet Union) Ukraine (F) Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Cultural 527 ( Soviet Union) Uzbekistan (F) Itchan Kala Cultural 543 1991 (15th session) 22 sites (16 cultural, 6 natural) Host: Tunisia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Shark Bay, Western Australia Natural 578 Bolivia Historic City of Sucre Cultural 566 Brazil Serra da Capivara National Park Cultural 606 Finland Fortress of Suomenlinna Cultural 583 Old Rauma (F) Cultural 582 France Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi and Palace of Tau, Reims Cultural 601 Paris, Banks of the Seine Cultural 600 Germany Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch Cultural 515 Indonesia Borobudur Temple Compounds Cultural 592 Komodo National Park Natural 609 Prambanan Temple Compounds Cultural 642 Ujung Kulon National Park (F) Natural 608 Mexico Historic Centre of Morelia Cultural 585 Mozambique Island of Mozambique (F) Cultural 599 Niger Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (F) Natural 573 Romania Danube Delta (F) Natural 588 Spain Poblet Monastery Cultural 518 Sri Lanka Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple Cultural 561 Sweden Royal Domain of Drottningholm (F) Cultural 559 Thailand Historic City of Ayutthaya Cultural 576 Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (F) Cultural 574 Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Natural 591 1992 (16th session) 20 sites (16 cultural, 4 natural) Host: United States Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Albania Butrint (F) Cultural 570 Algeria Kasbah of Algiers Cultural 565 Australia K'gari (Fraser Island) Natural 630 Cambodia Angkor (F) Cultural 668 China Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area Natural 638 Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Natural 637 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area Natural 640 ( Czechoslovakia) Czech Republic Historic Centre of Český Krumlov Cultural 617 Historic Centre of Prague Cultural 616 Historic Centre of Telč (F) Cultural 621 France Bourges Cathedral Cultural 635 Germany Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System Cultural 623 Greece Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos Cultural 595 Mexico El Tajin, Pre-Hispanic City Cultural 631 Poland Old City of Zamość Cultural 564 Russia Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands Cultural 632 Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings Cultural 604 White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal Cultural 633 Thailand Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Cultural 575 United States Taos Pueblo Cultural 492 1993 (17th session) 33 sites (29 cultural, 4 natural) Host: Colombia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. El Salvador Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site (F) Cultural 675 Germany Maulbronn Monastery Complex Cultural 546 Town of Bamberg Cultural 624 India Humayun's Tomb, Delhi Cultural 232 Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi Cultural 233 Ireland Brú na Bóinne – Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne (F) Cultural 659 Italy The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera Cultural 670 Japan Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area Cultural 660 Himeji-jo (F) Cultural 661 Shirakami-Sanchi Natural 663 Yakushima Natural 662 Mexico Historic Centre of Zacatecas Cultural 676 Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco Cultural 714 Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino Natural 554 Paraguay Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue (F) Cultural 648 Philippines Baroque Churches of the Philippines (F) Cultural 677 Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Natural 653 Romania Churches of Moldavia Cultural 598 Monastery of Horezu Cultural 597 Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania Cultural 596 Russia Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad Cultural 657 Slovakia Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity Cultural 618 Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments Cultural 620 Vlkolínec (F) Cultural 622 Spain Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida Cultural 664 Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain Cultural 669 Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe Cultural 665 Sweden Birka and Hovgården Cultural 555 Engelsberg Ironworks Cultural 556 Uzbekistan Historic Centre of Bukhara Cultural 602 Venezuela Coro and its Port (F) Cultural 658 Vietnam Complex of Hué Monuments (F) Cultural 678 Yemen Historic Town of Zabid Cultural 611 1994 (18th session) 29 sites (21 cultural, 8 natural) Host: Thailand Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte) Natural 698 China Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains Cultural 705 Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa Cultural 707 Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde Cultural 703 Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu Cultural 704 Colombia Los Katíos National Park Natural 711 Czech Republic Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora Cultural 690 Denmark Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church (F) Cultural 697 Finland Petäjävesi Old Church Cultural 584 Georgia Gelati Monastery (F) Cultural 710 Historical Monuments of Mtskheta Cultural 708 Germany Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg Cultural 535 Völklingen Ironworks Cultural 687 Italy City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto Cultural 712 Japan Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) Cultural 688 Lithuania Vilnius Historic Centre (F) Cultural 541 Luxembourg City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications (F) Cultural 699 Mexico Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl Cultural 702 Oman Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (delisted in 2007) Natural 654 Peru Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa Cultural 700 Russia Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye Cultural 634 Spain Doñana National Park Natural 685 Sweden Rock Carvings in Tanum Cultural 557 Skogskyrkogården Cultural 558 Turkey City of Safranbolu Cultural 614 Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (F) Natural 682 Rwenzori Mountains National Park Natural 684 Venezuela Canaima National Park Natural 701 Vietnam Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago Natural 672 1995 (19th session) 29 sites (23 cultural, 6 natural) Host: Germany Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Canada Old Town Lunenburg Cultural 741 Canada United States Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Natural 354 Chile Rapa Nui National Park (F) Cultural 715 Colombia Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox Cultural 742 National Archeological Park of Tierradentro Cultural 743 San Agustín Archaeological Park Cultural 744 Czech Republic Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec Cultural 732 Denmark Roskilde Cathedral Cultural 695 France Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge Cultural 228 Germany Messel Pit Fossil Site Natural 720 Hungary Slovakia Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst Natural 725 Italy Crespi d'Adda Cultural 730 Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta Cultural 733 Historic Centre of Naples Cultural 726 Historic Centre of Siena Cultural 717 Japan Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Cultural 734 Laos Town of Luang Prabang (F) Cultural 479 Netherlands Schokland and Surroundings (F) Cultural 739 Philippines Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras Cultural 722 Portugal Cultural Landscape of Sintra Cultural 723 Russia Virgin Komi Forests Natural 719 South Korea Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks Cultural 737 Jongmyo Shrine Cultural 738 Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (F) Cultural 736 Sweden Hanseatic Town of Visby Cultural 731 United Kingdom Old and New Towns of Edinburgh Cultural 728 United Kingdom ( Tristan da Cunha) (F) Gough and Inaccessible Islands Natural 740 United States Carlsbad Caverns National Park Natural 721 Uruguay Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento (F) Cultural 747 1996 (20th session) 37 sites (30 cultural, 5 natural, 2 mixed) Host: Mexico Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Armenia Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (F) Cultural 777 Austria Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg Cultural 784 Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (F) Cultural 786 Belize Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (F) Natural 764 Benin Burkina Faso Niger W-Arly-Pendjari Complex Natural 749 China Lushan National Park Cultural 778 Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area Mixed 779 Czech Republic Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape Cultural 763 ( Zaire) DR Congo Okapi Wildlife Reserve Natural 718 Finland Verla Groundwood and Board Mill Cultural 751 France Canal du Midi Cultural 770 Georgia Upper Svaneti Cultural 709 Germany Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau Cultural 729 Cologne Cathedral Cultural 292 Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg Cultural 783 Greece Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) Cultural 780 Hungary Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment Cultural 758 Indonesia Sangiran Early Man Site Cultural 593 Ireland Sceilg Mhichíl Cultural 757 Italy Castel del Monte Cultural 398 Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna Cultural 788 Historic Centre of the City of Pienza Cultural 789 The Trulli of Alberobello Cultural 787 Japan Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) Cultural 775 Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Cultural 776 Mauritania Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata Cultural 750 Mexico Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro Cultural 792 Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal Cultural 791 Morocco Historic City of Meknes Cultural 793 Netherlands Dutch Water Defence Lines Cultural 759 Portugal Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar Cultural 755 Russia Lake Baikal Natural 754 Volcanoes of Kamchatka Natural 765 Spain Historic Walled Town of Cuenca Cultural 781 La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia Cultural 782 Sweden Church Town of Gammelstad, Luleå Cultural 762 Laponian Area Mixed 774 1997 (21st session) 46 sites (38 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Italy Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Heard and McDonald Islands Natural 577 Macquarie Island Natural 629 Austria Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape Cultural 806 Bangladesh The Sundarbans Natural 798 Brazil Historic Centre of São Luís Cultural 821 China Ancient City of Ping Yao Cultural 812 Classical Gardens of Suzhou Cultural 813 Old Town of Lijiang Cultural 811 Costa Rica Cocos Island National Park Natural 820 Croatia Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč Cultural 809 Historic City of Trogir Cultural 810 Cuba San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba Cultural 841 Dominica Morne Trois Pitons National Park (F) Natural 814 Estonia Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn (F) Cultural 822 France Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne Cultural 345 France Spain Pyrénées - Mont Perdu Mixed 773 Italy 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex Cultural 549 Archaeological Area of Agrigento Cultural 831 Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata Cultural 829 Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua Cultural 824 Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena Cultural 827 Costiera Amalfitana Cultural 830 Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) Cultural 826 Residences of the Royal House of Savoy Cultural 823 Su Nuraxi di Barumini Cultural 833 Villa Romana del Casale Cultural 832 Kenya Lake Turkana National Parks Natural 801 Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (F) Natural 800 Latvia Historic Centre of Riga (F) Cultural 852 Mexico Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara Cultural 815 Morocco Archaeological Site of Volubilis Cultural 836 Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin) Cultural 837 Nepal Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha Cultural 666 Netherlands Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout Cultural 818 Netherlands ( Curaçao) (F) Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao Cultural 819 Pakistan Rohtas Fort Cultural 586 Panama Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá Cultural 790 Poland Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork Cultural 847 Medieval Town of Toruń Cultural 835 South Korea Changdeokgung Palace Complex Cultural 816 Hwaseong Fortress Cultural 817 Spain Las Médulas Cultural 803 Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona Cultural 804 San Millán Yuso and Suso Monasteries Cultural 805 Tunisia Dougga / Thugga Cultural 794 United Kingdom Maritime Greenwich Cultural 795 1998 (22nd session) 30 sites (27 cultural, 3 natural) Host: Japan Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Austria Semmering Railway Cultural 785 Belgium Flemish Béguinages Cultural 855 La Grand-Place, Brussels (F) Cultural 857 The Four Lifts on the Canal du Centre and their Environs, La Louvière and Le Roeulx (Hainaut) Cultural 856 Bolivia Fuerte de Samaipata Cultural 883 China Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing Cultural 880 Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing Cultural 881 Cyprus Choirokoitia Cultural 848 Czech Republic Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž Cultural 860 Holašovice Historic Village Cultural 861 France Historic Site of Lyon Cultural 872 Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France Cultural 868 Germany Classical Weimar Cultural 846 Italy Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia Cultural 825 Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula Cultural 842 Historic Centre of Urbino Cultural 828 Japan Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara Cultural 870 Lebanon Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) Cultural 850 Mexico Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes Cultural 560 Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan Cultural 862 Netherlands Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station) Cultural 867 New Zealand New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands Natural 877 Portugal Spain Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde Cultural 866 Russia Golden Mountains of Altai Natural 768 Solomon Islands East Rennell (F) Natural 854 Spain Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula Cultural 874 University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares Cultural 876 Sweden Naval Port of Karlskrona Cultural 871 Turkey Archaeological Site of Troy Cultural 849 Ukraine L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre Cultural 865 1999 (23rd session) 48 sites (35 cultural, 11 natural, 2 mixed) Host: Morocco Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas Cultural 936 Península Valdés Natural 937 Austria City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg Cultural 931 Belgium France Belfries of Belgium and France Cultural 943 Brazil Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves Natural 893 Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves Natural 892 Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina Cultural 890 Canada Miguasha National Park Natural 686 China Dazu Rock Carvings Cultural 912 Mount Wuyi Mixed 911 Costa Rica Area de Conservación Guanacaste Natural 928 Cuba Desembarco del Granma National Park Natural 889 Viñales Valley Cultural 840 Czech Republic Litomyšl Castle Cultural 901 Ecuador Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca Cultural 863 Finland Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki Cultural 579 France Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion Cultural 932 Germany Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin Cultural 896 Wartburg Castle Cultural 897 Greece Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns Cultural 941 The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos Cultural 942 Hungary Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta Cultural 474 India Mountain Railways of India Cultural 944 Indonesia Lorentz National Park Natural 955 Italy Villa Adriana (Tivoli) Cultural 907 Japan Shrines and Temples of Nikko Cultural 913 Mexico Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco Cultural 939 Historic Fortified Town of Campeche Cultural 895 Netherlands Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) Cultural 899 Nigeria Sukur Cultural Landscape (F) Cultural 938 Philippines Historic City of Vigan Cultural 502 Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park Natural 652 Poland Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park Cultural 905 Portugal Laurisilva of Madeira Natural 934 Romania Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains Cultural 906 Historic Centre of Sighişoara Cultural 902 Wooden Churches of Maramureş Cultural 904 Russia Western Caucasus Natural 900 Saint Kitts and Nevis Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (F) Cultural 910 South Africa Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa Cultural 915 iSimangaliso Wetland Park Natural 914 Robben Island (F) Cultural 916 Spain Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture Mixed 417 San Cristóbal de La Laguna Cultural 929 Turkmenistan State Historical and Cultural Park 'Ancient Merv' (F) Cultural 886 United Kingdom Heart of Neolithic Orkney Cultural 514 Vietnam Hoi An Ancient Town Cultural 948 My Son Sanctuary Cultural 949 2000 (24th session) 61 sites (50 cultural, 10 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Australia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks Natural 966 Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba Cultural 995 Armenia Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Cultural 1011 Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley Cultural 960 Australia Greater Blue Mountains Area Natural 917 Austria Wachau Cultural Landscape Cultural 970 Azerbaijan Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (F) Cultural 958 Belarus Mir Castle Complex Cultural 625 Belgium Historic Centre of Brugge Cultural 996 Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels) Cultural 1005 Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons) Cultural 1006 Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai Cultural 1009 Bolivia Noel Kempff Mercado National Park Natural 967 Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture Cultural 567 Brazil Central Amazon Conservation Complex Natural 998 Pantanal Conservation Area Natural 999 Chile Churches of Chiloé Cultural 971 China Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun Cultural 1002 Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties Cultural 1004 Longmen Grottoes Cultural 1003 Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System Cultural 1001 Croatia The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik Cultural 963 Cuba Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba Cultural 1008 Czech Republic Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc Cultural 859 Denmark Kronborg Castle Cultural 696 Finland Sweden High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago Natural 898 France The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes Cultural 933 Germany Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz Cultural 534 Monastic Island of Reichenau Cultural 974 Hungary Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae) Cultural 853 Italy Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites Cultural 990 City of Verona Cultural 797 Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) Natural 908 Japan Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu Cultural 972 Lesotho (F) South Africa Maloti-Drakensberg Park Mixed 985 Lithuania Russia Curonian Spit Cultural 994 Malaysia Gunung Mulu National Park Natural 1013 Kinabalu Park (F) Natural 1012 Netherlands Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House) Cultural 965 Nicaragua Ruins of León Viejo (F) Cultural 613 Oman Land of Frankincense Cultural 1010 Peru Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa Cultural 1016 Russia Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery Cultural 982 Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin Cultural 980 Senegal Island of Saint-Louis Cultural 956 Slovakia Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve Cultural 973 South Korea Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites Cultural 977 Gyeongju Historic Areas Cultural 976 Spain Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco Cultural 875 Archaeological Site of Atapuerca Cultural 989 Catalan Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí Cultural 988 Palmeral of Elche Cultural 930 Roman Walls of Lugo Cultural 987 Suriname Central Suriname Nature Reserve (F) Natural 1017 Sweden Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland Cultural 968 Switzerland Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona Cultural 884 Tanzania Stone Town of Zanzibar Cultural 173 United Kingdom Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Cultural 984 United Kingdom ( Bermuda) (F) Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda Cultural 983 Uzbekistan Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz Cultural 885 Venezuela Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas Cultural 986 2001 (25th session) 31 sites (25 cultural, 6 natural) Host: Finland Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Austria Historic Centre of Vienna Cultural 1033 Austria Hungary Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape Cultural 772 Botswana Tsodilo (F) Cultural 1021 Brazil Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves Natural 1000 Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks Natural 1035 Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás Cultural 993 China Yungang Grottoes Cultural 1039 Cuba Alejandro de Humboldt National Park Natural 839 Czech Republic Tugendhat Villa in Brno Cultural 1052 France Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs Cultural 873 Germany Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen Cultural 975 Israel Masada (F) Cultural 1040 Old City of Acre Cultural 1042 Italy Villa d'Este, Tivoli Cultural 1025 Kenya Lamu Old Town Cultural 1055 Laos Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape Cultural 481 Madagascar Royal Hill of Ambohimanga Cultural 950 Morocco Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) Cultural 753 Poland Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica Cultural 1054 Portugal Alto Douro Wine Region Cultural 1046 Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros Zone Cultural 1031 Russia Central Sikhote-Alin Natural 766 Spain Aranjuez Cultural Landscape Cultural 1044 Sweden Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun Cultural 1027 Switzerland Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Natural 1037 Uganda Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi Cultural 1022 United Kingdom Derwent Valley Mills Cultural 1030 Dorset and East Devon Coast Natural 1029 New Lanark Cultural 429 Saltaire Cultural 1028 Uzbekistan Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures Cultural 603 2002 (26th session) 9 sites (8 cultural, 1 mixed) Host: Hungary Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Afghanistan Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (F) Cultural 211 Egypt Saint Catherine Area Cultural 954 Germany Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar Cultural 1067 Upper Middle Rhine Valley Cultural 1066 Hungary Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape Cultural 1063 India Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya Cultural 1056 Italy Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) Cultural 1024 Mexico Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche Mixed 1061 Suriname Historic Inner City of Paramaribo Cultural 940 2003 (27th session) 24 sites (19 cultural, 5 natural) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Afghanistan Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley Cultural 208 Argentina Quebrada de Humahuaca Cultural 1116 Australia Purnululu National Park Natural 1094 Chile Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso Cultural 959 China Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas Natural 1083 Czech Republic Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Třebíč Cultural 1078 Gambia Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites (F) Cultural 761 India Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Cultural 925 Iran Takht-e Soleyman Cultural 1077 Iraq Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) Cultural 1130 Israel White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement Cultural 1096 Italy Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy Cultural 1068 Italy Switzerland Monte San Giorgio Natural 1090 Kazakhstan Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (F) Cultural 1103 Mexico Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro Cultural 1079 Mongolia (F) Russia Uvs Nuur Basin Natural 769 Poland Wooden Churches of Southern Małopolska Cultural 1053 Russia Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent Cultural 1070 South Africa Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape Cultural 1099 Spain Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza Cultural 522 Sudan Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region (F) Cultural 1073 United Kingdom Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cultural 1084 Vietnam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Natural 951 Zimbabwe Matobo Hills Cultural 306 2004 (28th session) 34 sites (29 cultural, 5 natural) Host: China Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Andorra Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (F) Cultural 1160 Australia Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens Cultural 1131 Benin Togo (F) Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba Cultural 1140 China Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom Cultural 1135 Denmark ( Greenland) (F) Ilulissat Icefjord Natural 1149 Germany Dresden Elbe Valley (delisted in 2009) Cultural 1156 Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen Cultural 1087 Germany Poland Muskauer Park / Park Mużakowski Cultural 1127 Iceland Þingvellir National Park (F) Cultural 1152 India Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Cultural 1101 Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) Cultural 945 Indonesia Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra Natural 1167 Iran Bam and its Cultural Landscape Cultural 1208 Pasargadae Cultural 1106 Italy Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia Cultural 1158 Val d'Orcia Cultural 1026 Japan Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Cultural 1142 Jordan Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) Cultural 1093 Kazakhstan Petroglyphs within the Archaeological Landscape of Tamgaly Cultural 1145 Lithuania Kernavė Archaeological Site (Cultural Reserve of Kernavė) Cultural 1137 Mali Tomb of Askia Cultural 1139 Mexico Luis Barragán House and Studio Cultural 1136 Mongolia Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape Cultural 1081 Morocco Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) Cultural 1058 North Korea Complex of Koguryo Tombs (F) Cultural 1091 Norway Vegaøyan – The Vega Archipelago Cultural 1143 Portugal Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Cultural 1117 Russia Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent Cultural 1097 Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve Natural 1023 Saint Lucia Pitons Management Area (F) Natural 1161 ( Serbia and Montenegro) Serbia Medieval Monuments in Kosovo Cultural 724 South Africa Cape Floral Region Protected Areas Natural 1007 Sweden Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg Cultural 1134 United Kingdom Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (delisted in 2021) Cultural 1150 2005 (29th session) 24 sites (17 cultural, 7 natural) Host: South Africa Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Albania Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra Cultural 569 Bahrain Qal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun (F) Cultural 1192 Belarus Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh Cultural 1196 Belarus Estonia Finland Latvia Lithuania Moldova (F) Norway Russia Sweden Ukraine Struve Geodetic Arc Cultural 1187 Belgium Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex Cultural 1185 Bosnia and Herzegovina Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar (F) Cultural 946 Chile Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works Cultural 1178 China ( Macao) (F) Historic Centre of Macao Cultural 1110 Cuba Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos Cultural 1202 Egypt Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) Natural 1186 France Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret Cultural 1181 Iran Soltaniyeh Cultural 1188 Israel Biblical Tels – Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba Cultural 1108 Incense Route – Desert Cities in the Negev Cultural 1107 Italy Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica Cultural 1200 Japan Shiretoko Peninsula Natural 1193 Mexico Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California Natural 1182 Nigeria Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove Cultural 1118 Norway West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord Natural 1195 Panama Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection Natural 1138 Russia Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl Cultural 1170 South Africa Vredefort Dome Natural 1162 Thailand Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex Natural 590 Turkmenistan Kunya-Urgench Cultural 1199 2006 (30th session) 18 sites (16 cultural, 2 natural) Host: Lithuania Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Chile Sewell Mining Town Cultural 1214 China Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains Natural 1213 Yin Xu Cultural 1114 Colombia Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Natural 1216 Ethiopia Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town Cultural 1189 Gambia Senegal Stone Circles of Senegambia Cultural 1226 Germany Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof Cultural 1155 Iran Behistun Inscription Cultural 1222 Italy Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli Cultural 1211 Malawi Chongoni Rock-Art Area Cultural 476 Mauritius Aapravasi Ghat (F) Cultural 1227 Mexico Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila Cultural 1209 Oman Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman Cultural 1207 Poland Centennial Hall in Wrocław Cultural 1165 Spain Vizcaya Bridge Cultural 1217 Syria Crac des Chevaliers and Qal'at Salah El-Din Cultural 1229 Tanzania Kondoa Rock-Art Sites Cultural 1183 United Kingdom Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape Cultural 1215 2007 (31st session) 22 sites (16 cultural, 4 natural, 2 mixed) Host: New Zealand Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic France Germany Italy North Macedonia Poland Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Ukraine Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe Natural 1133 Australia Sydney Opera House Cultural 166 Azerbaijan Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape Cultural 1076 Bosnia and Herzegovina Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad Cultural 1260 Canada Rideau Canal Cultural 1221 China Kaiping Diaolou and Villages Cultural 1112 South China Karst Mixed 1248 France Bordeaux, Port of the Moon Cultural 1256 Gabon Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda (F) Mixed 1147 Greece Old Town of Corfu Cultural 978 India Red Fort Complex Cultural 231 Iraq Samarra Archaeological City Cultural 276 Japan Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape Cultural 1246 Madagascar Rainforests of the Atsinanana Natural 1257 Mexico Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Cultural 1250 Namibia Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (F) Cultural 1255 Serbia Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius Cultural 1253 South Africa Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape Cultural 1265 South Korea Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Natural 1264 Spain Teide National Park Natural 1258 Switzerland Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces Cultural 1243 Turkmenistan Parthian Fortresses of Nisa Cultural 1242 2008 (32nd session) 27 sites (19 cultural, 8 natural) Host: Canada Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Cambodia Temple of Preah Vihear Cultural 1224 Canada Joggins Fossil Cliffs Natural 1285 China Fujian Tulou Cultural 1113 Mount Sanqingshan National Park Natural 1292 Croatia Stari Grad Plain Cultural 1240 Cuba Historic Centre of Camagüey Cultural 1270 France Fortifications of Vauban Cultural 1283 France ( New Caledonia) (F) Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems Natural 1115 Germany Berlin Modernism Housing Estates Cultural 1239 Iceland Surtsey Natural 1267 Iran Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran Cultural 1262 Israel Bahá'í Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee Cultural 1220 Italy Mantua and Sabbioneta Cultural 1287 Italy Switzerland Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes Cultural 1276 Kazakhstan Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan Natural 1102 Kenya Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests Cultural 1231 Malaysia Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca Cultural 1223 Mauritius Le Morne Cultural Landscape Cultural 1259 Mexico Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Natural 1290 Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco Cultural 1274 Papua New Guinea Kuk Early Agricultural Site (F) Cultural 887 San Marino San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (F) Cultural 1245 Saudi Arabia Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) (F) Cultural 1293 Slovakia Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountain Area Cultural 1273 Switzerland Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Natural 1179 Vanuatu Chief Roi Mata's Domain (F) Cultural 1280 Yemen Socotra Archipelago Natural 1263 2009 (33rd session) 13 sites (11 cultural, 2 natural) Host: Spain Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Belgium Stoclet House Cultural 1298 Burkina Faso Ruins of Loropéni (F) Cultural 1225 Cape Verde Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande (F) Cultural 1310 China Mount Wutai Cultural 1279 Denmark Germany Netherlands Wadden Sea Natural 1314 Iran Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System Cultural 1315 Italy The Dolomites Natural 1237 Kyrgyzstan Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (F) Cultural 1230 Peru Sacred City of Caral-Supe Cultural 1269 South Korea Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty Cultural 1319 Spain Tower of Hercules Cultural 1312 Switzerland La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning Cultural 1302 United Kingdom Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Cultural 1303 2010 (34th session) 21 sites (15 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Brazil Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Australian Convict Sites Cultural 1306 Brazil São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão Cultural 1272 China China Danxia Natural 1335 Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth' Cultural 1305 France Episcopal City of Albi Cultural 1337 France (Réunion) (F) Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island Natural 1317 India The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur Cultural 1338 Iran Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil Cultural 1345 Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex Cultural 1346 Kiribati Phoenix Islands Protected Area (F) Natural 1325 Marshall Islands Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site (F) Cultural 1339 Mexico Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Cultural 1351 Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca Cultural 1352 Netherlands Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht Cultural 1349 Russia Putorana Plateau Natural 1234 Saudi Arabia At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah Cultural 1329 South Korea Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong Cultural 1324 Sri Lanka Central Highlands of Sri Lanka Natural 1203 Tajikistan Proto-urban Site of Sarazm (F) Cultural 1141 United States Papahānaumokuākea Mixed 1326 Vietnam Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi Cultural 1328 2011 (35th session) 25 sites (21 cultural, 3 natural, 1 mixed) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Ningaloo Coast Natural 1369 Austria France Germany Italy Slovenia Switzerland Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps Cultural 1363 Barbados Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison (F) Cultural 1376 China West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou Cultural 1334 Colombia Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia Cultural 1121 Ethiopia Konso Cultural Landscape Cultural 1333 France The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape Cultural 1153 Germany Fagus Factory in Alfeld Cultural 1368 Iran The Persian Garden Cultural 1372 Italy Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568–774 A.D.) Cultural 1318 Japan Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land Cultural 1277 Ogasawara Islands Natural 1362 Jordan Wadi Rum Protected Area Mixed 1377 Kenya Fort Jesus, Mombasa Cultural 1295 Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley Natural 1060 Mongolia Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai Cultural 1382 Nicaragua León Cathedral Cultural 1236 Senegal Saloum Delta Cultural 1359 Spain Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana Cultural 1371 Sudan Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe Cultural 1336 Syria Ancient Villages of Northern Syria Cultural 1348 Turkey Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex Cultural 1366 Ukraine Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans Cultural 1330 United Arab Emirates Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) (F) Cultural 1343 Vietnam Citadel of the Ho Dynasty Cultural 1358 2012 (36th session) 26 sites (20 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Russia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Bahrain Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy Cultural 1364 Belgium Major Mining Sites of Wallonia Cultural 1344 Brazil Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea Cultural 1100 Cameroon Central African Republic Congo (F) Sangha Trinational Natural 1380 Canada Landscape of Grand Pré Cultural 1404 Chad Lakes of Ounianga (F) Natural 1400 China Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural 1388 Site of Xanadu Cultural 1389 Côte d'Ivoire Historic Town of Grand-Bassam Cultural 1322 France Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin Cultural 1360 Germany Margravial Opera House Bayreuth Cultural 1379 India Western Ghats Natural 1342 Indonesia Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy Cultural 1194 Iran Gonbad-e Qābus Cultural 1398 Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan Cultural 1397 Israel Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me'arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves Cultural 1393 Malaysia Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley Cultural 1396 Morocco Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage Cultural 1401 Palau Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (F) Mixed 1386 Palestine Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (F) Cultural 1433 Portugal Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications Cultural 1367 Russia Lena Pillars Nature Park Natural 1299 Senegal Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes Cultural 1407 Slovenia Spain Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija Cultural 1313 Sweden Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland Cultural 1282 Turkey Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük Cultural 1405 2013 (37th session) 19 sites (14 cultural, 5 natural) Host: Cambodia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Canada Red Bay Basque Whaling Station Cultural 1412 China Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces Cultural 1111 Xinjiang Tianshan Natural 1414 Fiji Levuka Historical Port Town (F) Cultural 1399 Germany Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe Cultural 1413 India Hill Forts of Rajasthan Cultural 247 Iran Golestan Palace Cultural 1422 Italy Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany Cultural 175 Mount Etna Natural 1427 Japan Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration Cultural 1418 Mexico El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve Natural 1410 Namibia Namib Sand Sea Natural 1430 Niger Historic Centre of Agadez Cultural 1268 North Korea Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong Cultural 1278 Poland Ukraine Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine Cultural 1424 Portugal University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia Cultural 1387 Qatar Al Zubarah Archaeological Site (F) Cultural 1402 Tajikistan Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Natural 1252 Ukraine Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora Cultural 1411 2014 (38th session) 26 sites (22 cultural, 3 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Qatar Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina Bolivia Chile Colombia Ecuador Peru Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System Cultural 1459 Botswana Okavango Delta Natural 1432 China The Grand Canal Cultural 1443 China Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor Cultural 1442 Costa Rica Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís Cultural 1453 Denmark Stevns Klint Natural 1416 France Decorated Cave of Pont d'Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc, Ardèche Cultural 1426 Germany Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey Cultural 1447 India Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area Natural 1406 Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat Cultural 922 Iran Shahr-I Sokhta Cultural 1456 Iraq Erbil Citadel Cultural 1437 Israel Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves Cultural 1370 Italy Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Cultural 1390 Japan Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites Cultural 1449 Myanmar Pyu Ancient Cities (F) Cultural 1444 Netherlands Van Nellefabriek Cultural 1441 Palestine Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir Cultural 1492 Philippines Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Natural 1403 Russia Bolghar Historical and Archaeological Complex Cultural 981 Saudi Arabia Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah Cultural 1361 South Korea Namhansanseong Cultural 1439 Turkey Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire Cultural 1452 Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape Cultural 1457 United States Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point Cultural 1435 Vietnam Trang An Landscape Complex Mixed 1438 2015 (39th session) 24 sites (23 cultural, 1 mixed) Host: Germany Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. China Tusi Sites Cultural 1474 Denmark Germany United Kingdom United States Moravian Church Settlements Cultural 1468 Denmark The par force hunting landscape in North Zealand Cultural 1469 France The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy Cultural 1425 Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars Cultural 1465 Germany Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus Cultural 1467 Iran Cultural Landscape of Maymand Cultural 1423 Susa Cultural 1455 Israel Necropolis of Bet She'arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal Cultural 1471 Italy Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale Cultural 1487 Jamaica Blue and John Crow Mountains (F) Mixed 1356 Japan Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining Cultural 1484 Jordan Baptism Site 'Bethany Beyond the Jordan' (Al-Maghtas) Cultural 1446 Mexico Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System Cultural 1463 Mongolia Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape Cultural 1440 Norway Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage Site Cultural 1486 Saudi Arabia Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia Cultural 1472 Singapore Singapore Botanic Gardens (F) Cultural 1483 South Korea Baekje Historic Areas Cultural 1477 Turkey Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape Cultural 1488 Ephesus Cultural 1018 United Kingdom The Forth Bridge Cultural 1485 United States San Antonio Missions Cultural 1466 Uruguay Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape Cultural 1464 2016 (40th session) 21 sites (12 cultural, 6 natural, 3 mixed) Host: Turkey Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites (F) Cultural 1499 Argentina Belgium France Germany India Japan Switzerland The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement Cultural 1321 Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Montenegro Serbia Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards Cultural 1504 Brazil Pampulha Modern Ensemble Cultural 1493 Canada Mistaken Point Natural 1497 Chad Ennedi Massif: Natural and Cultural Landscape Mixed 1475 China Hubei Shennongjia Natural 1509 Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape Cultural 1508 Greece Archaeological Site of Philippi Cultural 1517 India Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar Cultural 1502 Khangchendzonga National Park Mixed 1513 Iran Lut Desert Natural 1505 The Persian Qanat Cultural 1506 Iraq The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities Mixed 1481 Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Western Tien-Shan Natural 1490 Mexico Archipiélago de Revillagigedo Natural 1510 Micronesia Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (F) Cultural 1503 Spain Antequera Dolmens Site Cultural 1501 Sudan Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park Natural 262 Turkey Archaeological Site of Ani Cultural 1518 United Kingdom ( Gibraltar) (F) Gorham's Cave Complex Cultural 1500 2017 (41st session) 21 sites (18 cultural, 3 natural) Host: Poland Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Angola Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo (F) Cultural 1511 Argentina Los Alerces National Park Natural 1526 Brazil Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site Cultural 1548 Cambodia Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura Cultural 1532 China Kulangsu: a Historic International Settlement Cultural 1541 Qinghai Hoh Xil Natural 1540 Croatia Italy Montenegro Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar Cultural 1533 Denmark ( Greenland) Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap Cultural 1536 Eritrea Asmara: a Modernist African City (F) Cultural 1550 France ( French Polynesia) (F) Taputapuātea Cultural 1529 Germany Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura Cultural 1527 India Historic City of Ahmadabad Cultural 1551 Iran Historic City of Yazd Cultural 1544 Japan Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region Cultural 1535 Mongolia Russia Landscapes of Dauria Natural 1448 Palestine Hebron / Al-Khalil Old Town Cultural 1565 Poland Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine and its Underground Water Management System Cultural 1539 Russia Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk Cultural 1525 South Africa ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape Cultural 1545 Turkey Aphrodisias Cultural 1519 United Kingdom Lake District National Park Cultural 422 2018 (42nd session) 19 sites (13 cultural, 3 natural, 3 mixed) Host: Bahrain Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Canada Pimachiowin Aki Mixed 1415 China Fanjingshan Natural 1559 Colombia Chiribiquete National Park – 'The Maloca of the Jaguar' Mixed 1174 Denmark ( Greenland) Aasivissuit – Nipisat. Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea Cultural 1557 France Chaîne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena Natural 1434 Germany Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke Cultural 1553 Naumburg Cathedral Cultural 1470 India Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai Cultural 1480 Iran Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region Cultural 1568 Italy Ivrea, Industrial City of the 20th Century Cultural 1538 Japan Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Cultural 1495 Kenya Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site Cultural 1450 Mexico Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica Mixed 1534 Oman Ancient City of Qalhat Cultural 1537 Saudi Arabia Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape Cultural 1563 South Africa Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains Natural 1575 South Korea Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea Cultural 1562 Spain Caliphate City of Medina Azahara Cultural 1560 Turkey Göbekli Tepe Cultural 1572 2019 (43rd session) 29 sites (24 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed) Host: Azerbaijan Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Australia Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Cultural 1577 Azerbaijan Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace Cultural 1549 Azerbaijan Iran Hyrcanian Forests Natural 1584 Bahrain Dilmun Burial Mounds Cultural 1542 Brazil Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity Mixed 1308 Burkina Faso Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso Cultural 1602 Canada Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi Cultural 1597 China Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City Cultural 1592 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea–Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) Natural 1606 Czech Republic Landscape for Breeding and Training of Ceremonial Carriage Horses at Kladruby nad Labem Cultural 1589 Czech Republic Germany Erzgebirge / Krušnohoří Mining Region Cultural 1478 France ( French Southern and Antarctic Lands) (F) French Austral Lands and Seas Natural 1603 Germany Water Management System of Augsburg Cultural 1580 Iceland Vatnajökull National Park – Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice Natural 1604 India Jaipur City, Rajasthan Cultural 1605 Indonesia Ombilin Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto Cultural 1610 Iraq Babylon Cultural 278 Italy Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene Cultural 1571 Japan Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan Cultural 1593 Laos Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars Cultural 1587 Myanmar Bagan Cultural 1588 Poland Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region Cultural 1599 Portugal Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) Cultural 1573 Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga Cultural 1590 Russia Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture Cultural 1523 South Korea Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies Cultural 1498 Spain Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape Cultural 1578 United Kingdom Jodrell Bank Observatory Cultural 1594 United States The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Cultural 1496 2021 (44th session) The 44th session was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the World Heritage Committee voted on both 2020 and 2021 nominations.[4] 34 sites (29 cultural, 5 natural) Host: China Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Austria Belgium Czech Republic France Germany Italy United Kingdom The Great Spa Towns of Europe Cultural 1613 Austria Germany Slovakia Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment) Cultural 1608 Belgium Netherlands Colonies of Benevolence Cultural 1555 Brazil Sítio Roberto Burle Marx Cultural 1620 Chile Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region Cultural 1634 China Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China Cultural 1561 Côte d'Ivoire Sudanese style mosques in northern Côte d'Ivoire Cultural 1648 France Cordouan Lighthouse Cultural 1625 Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera Cultural 1635 Gabon Ivindo National Park Natural 1653 Georgia Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands Natural 1616 Germany Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt Cultural 1614 ShUM Sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz Cultural 1636 Germany Netherlands Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Lower German Limes Cultural 1631 India Dholavira: a Harappan City Cultural 1645 Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana Cultural 1570 Iran Cultural Landscape of Hawraman / Uramanat Cultural 1647 Trans-Iranian Railway Cultural 1585 Italy Padua's fourteenth-century fresco cycles Cultural 1623 The Porticoes of Bologna Cultural 1650 Japan Amami-Ōshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island Natural 1574 Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan Cultural 1632 Jordan As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality Cultural 689 Peru Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex Cultural 1624 Romania Roșia Montană Mining Landscape Cultural 1552 Russia Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea Cultural 1654 Saudi Arabia Ḥimā Cultural Area Cultural 1619 Slovenia The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana – Human Centred Urban Design Cultural 1643 Spain Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences Cultural 1618 South Korea Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats Natural 1591 Thailand Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex Natural 1461 Turkey Arslantepe Mound Cultural 1622 United Kingdom The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales Cultural 1633 Uruguay The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida Cultural 1612 2023 (18th extraordinary session) At its 18th extraordinary session in January 2023, the World Heritage Committee added three sites under an emergency procedure to both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.[5][6] 3 sites (3 cultural) Host: France Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Lebanon Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli Cultural 1702 Ukraine The Historic Centre of Odesa Cultural 1703 Yemen Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib Cultural 1700 2023 (45th session) The 45th session was originally scheduled to be held from 19 June to 30 June, 2022, in Kazan, Russia, but was postponed indefinitely due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[7] The World Heritage Committee then rescheduled the 45th session to 10-25 September 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, voted on 2022 and 2023 nominations.[8] 42 sites (33 cultural, 9 natural) Host: Saudi Arabia Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Argentina ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Center of Detention, Torture and Extermination Cultural 1681 Azerbaijan Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route Cultural 1696 Belgium France Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front) Cultural 1567 Cambodia Koh Ker: Archeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar Cultural 1667 Canada Anticosti Natural 1686 Tr'ondëk-Klondike Cultural 1564 China Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er Cultural 1665 Congo Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua Natural 692 Czech Republic Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops Cultural 1558 Denmark Viking-Age Ring Fortresses Cultural 1660 Ethiopia Bale Mountains National Park Natural 111 The Gedeo Cultural Landscape Cultural 1641 France The Maison Carrée of Nîmes Cultural 1569 France (Martinique) (F) Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique Natural 1657 Germany Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt Cultural 1656 Greece Zagori Cultural Landscape Cultural 1695 Guatemala National Archaeological Park Tak'alik Ab'aj Cultural 1663 India Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas Cultural 1670 Santiniketan Cultural 1375 Indonesia The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks Cultural 1671 Iran The Persian Caravanserai Cultural 1668 Italy Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines Natural 1692 Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Cold Winter Deserts of Turan Natural 1693 Latvia Old town of Kuldīga Cultural 1658 Lithuania Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939 Cultural 1661 Mongolia Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites Cultural 1621 Netherlands Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker Cultural 1683 Palestine Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan Cultural 1687 Russia Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University Cultural 1678 Rwanda Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero Cultural 1586 Nyungwe National Park (F) Natural 1697 Saudi Arabia 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid Natural 1699 South Korea Gaya Tumuli Cultural 1666 Spain Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca Cultural 1528 Suriname Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery Cultural 1680 Tajikistan Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve Natural 1685 Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor Cultural 1675 Thailand The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments Cultural 1662 Tunisia Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory Cultural 1640 Turkey Gordion Cultural 1669 Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia Cultural 1694 United States Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks Cultural 1689 2024 (46th session) 24 Sites (19 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed). Host: India Country Site Category UNESCO Reference no. Bosnia and Herzegovina Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno Natural 1673 Brazil Lençóis Maranhenses National Park Natural 1611 Burkina Faso Royal Court of Tiébélé Cultural 1713 China Badain Jaran Desert – Towers of Sand and Lakes Natural 1638 Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital Cultural 1714 Ethiopia Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia Cultural 13 France ( French Polynesia) Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands Mixed 1707 Germany Schwerin Residence Ensemble Cultural 1705 India Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty Cultural 1711 Iran Hegmataneh Cultural 1716 Italy Via Appia. Regina Viarum Cultural 1708 Japan Sado Island Gold Mines Cultural 1698 Jordan Umm Al-Jimāl Cultural 1721 Kenya The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi Cultural 1720 Malaysia The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex Cultural 1014 Palestine Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer Cultural 1749 Romania Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Dacia Cultural 1718 Brâncusi Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu Cultural 1473 Russia Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake Cultural 1688 Saudi Arabia The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area Cultural 1712 South Africa Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites Cultural 1676 The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa Cultural 1723 Thailand Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period Cultural 1507 United Kingdom The Flow Country Natural 1722 See also Former UNESCO World Heritage Sites List of World Heritage in Danger Lists of World Heritage Sites World Heritage Sites by country References Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "UNESCO World Heritage Centre - World Heritage List". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2021-07-21. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Number of World Heritage properties inscribed each Year". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2021-07-31. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Galápagos Islands". whc.unesco.org. UNESCO (2021-07-16). "Extended 44th World Heritage Committee session opens in Fuzhou, China". UNESCO. Retrieved 2021-07-22. "Ukraine's Odesa city put on UNESCO heritage in danger list". Associated Press. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023. "Three sites 'in danger' added to UNESCO World Heritage List". CNN. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023. "UNESCO indefinitely postpones planned world heritage meeting in Russia". The Art Newspaper. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022. "Saudi Arabia to host UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meetings in September". Saudi Gazette. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023. External links UNESCO World Heritage portal – Official website (in English and French) The World Heritage List – Official searchable list of all Inscribed Properties New Inscribed Properties – List of new Inscribed Properties. Also lists nominated sites prior to an upcoming session of the World Heritage Committee. vte Lists of World Heritage Sites Locations AfricaAmericas North AmericaCentral AmericaCaribbeanSouth AmericaAsia EasternNorthern and CentralSoutheastSouthernWesternEurope EasternNorthernSouthernWesternOceania UNESCO World Heritage logo Related World Heritage in DangerFormer sitesBy countryBy year of inscription World portal Categories: World Heritage Sites by year of inscriptionLists of World Heritage SitesLists by year |