World Heritages Sites

Selection Criteria

The World Heritage Committee has inscribed 31 properties of Spain on the World Heritage List. To be included on this list, sites must satisfy the selection criteria, which are explained in the “Operational Guidelines”, the World Heritage Committee’s main document. Revised regularly by the Committee, the criteria have evolved to match the evolution of the World Heritage concept itself.

The Natural and Cultural criteria evolution between 1978 and 1997 has been considerably. Therefore, the criteria of many of these sites are different, depending on the date they were inscribed on the list.

Nevertheless, all of them have in common that all the efforts are designed to make sure that future generations can inherit the treasures of the past.

 

Sevilla

The Cathedral, Alcazar and Lonja of Seville

Together these three buildings comprise a remarkable monumental complex at the heart of Seville. The Cathedral and the Alcazar are an exceptional testimony to the civilisation of the Almohads as well as of Christian Andalusia, dating from the reconquest of 1248 to the 16th century and thoroughly imbued with Moorish influences.

Inscribed: 1987

Justification: - In the restricted perimeter covered by the proposal, the Giralda constitutes a unique artistic achievement, a masterpiece of Almohad architecture.
- The Giralda influenced the construction of numerous towers in Spain and, after the conquest, in the Americas.
- The Cathedral and the Alcazar of Seville bear exceptional testimony to the civilization of the Almohads and to that of Christian Andalusia dating from the reconquest of 1248 to 16th century, which was thoroughly imbued with Moorish influences.
- The Cathedral, the Alcazar and the Lonja are directly and tangibly associated with a universally important event: the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492-1493. The tomb of Christopher Columbus is in the Cathedral.

Cuenca

The Ancient heart of the city of Cuenca

Built by the Moors on a defensive position in the heart of the Caliphate of Cordoba, Cuenca is a very well preserved fortified medieval city. Conquered by the Castilians in the 12th century, it became a royal town and bishopric rich with major buildings, such as Spain's first Gothic cathedral, and the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses), suspended from sheer cliffs overlooking the Huécar River. Admirably making the most of its location, the city crowns the magnificent countryside surrounding it.

Inscribed: 1996

Justification:

- The Old Town of Cuenca is an outstanding example of the medieval fortress town that has preserved its original townscape remarkably intact along with many excellent examples of religious and secular architecture from the 12th to 18th centuries. It is also exceptional because the walled town blends into and enhances the fine rural and natural landscape within which it is situated.

Madrid

The Monastery and site of El Escorial

Built at the end of the 16th century on a plan in the form of a grill, the instrument of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, the Escorial Monastery sits on an exceptionally beautiful site in Castle. The austere style of its architecture, a break with previous styles, had a considerable influence on Spain for more than half a century.

Inscribed: 1984

Justification: - Few monuments respond as perfectly as the Escorial to the first criterion for inclusion on the World Heritage List: this royal monastery consecrated to Saint Lawrence is indeed a unique artistic achievement.
- As little in keeping as it may be with the national temperament, the Escorial exerted a considerable influence in Spain during nearly a half century: the gigantic unfinished cathedral of the Asuncion of Valladolid was begun ca.
- An exemplary votive monument, retreat of a mystic king, the Escorial was, during the last years of the reign of Philip II, the paradoxical centre of the greatest political power of that period.

A Coruña

The old town of Santiago de Compostela

This famous pilgrimage site in the Northwest of Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. The Old Town of Santiago forms one of the world's most beautiful urban areas with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings.

Inscribed: 1985

Justification:

- Around its Cathedral which is a world renowned masterpiece of Romanesque art, Santiago de Compostela conserves a valuable historic centre which is worthy of one of Christianity's greatest holy cities.

- During both the Romanesque and Baroque periods the Sanctuary of Santiago exerted a decisive influence on the development of architecture and art not only in Galicia but also in the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

- Santiago de Compostela is "associated with one of the major themes of medieval history.

Salamanca

The old city of Salamanca

This ancient university town north-west of Madrid was first conquered by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC. It then became a Roman settlement before being ruled by the Moors until the 11th century. The University, one of the most ancient in Europe, reached its height during Salamanca's Golden Age.

Inscribed: 1988

Justification:

- The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is a unique artistic achievement in Baroque art. Begun in 1729 according to plans drawn up by Alberto de Churriguera, and finished in 1755 by Andrés García de Quiñones, and with contributions from Nicolas de Churriguera and José.

- Salamanca is one the essential centres of the art of the dynasty of architects, decorators and sculptors from Catalonia, the Churriguera. The 'churrigueresque' style exerted considerable influence in the 18th century not only in the Iberian Peninsula but also in countries of Latin America.

- The University of Salamanca, which was one of the best in Europe around 1250, conserves an admirable architectural heritage and forms a group of exceptional coherence at the heart of the old city.

Asturias

The Pre-Romanesque Asturian Churches and the Historic Centre of Oviedo

In the 9th century the flame of Christianity was kept alive in the Iberian peninsula in the tiny Kingdom of the Asturias, where an innovative form of pre-Romanesque architectural style was created that was to play a significant role in the development of the religious architecture of the peninsula. Its highest achievements can be seen in the churches of Santa Maria del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Cristina de Lena, the Cámara Santa, and San Julián de los Prados, in and around the ancient capital city of Oviedo.

Inscribed: 1985

Justification:

- Pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture represents a unique artistic achievement that is neither a metamorphosis of Paleo-Christian art nor a feature of Carolingian art.

- Asturian monuments have exerted decisive influence on the development of medieval architecture on the Iberian Peninsula.

Valencia

The Lonja de la seda of Valencia

Built between 1482 and 1533, this group of buildings, originally used for trading in silk (hence its name, The Silk Exchange), has especially in its strikingly grandiose Sala de Contratación always been a place of commerce. A masterpiece of Late Gothic, it illustrates, (Contract or Trading Hall), the power and wealth of a major Mediterranean mercantile city of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Inscribed: 1996

Justification:

- La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia is a wholly exceptional example of a secular building in Late Gothic style, which dramatically illustrates the power and wealth of one of the great Mediterranean mercantile cities.