UNESCO Adds 26 New Sites to the World Heritage List: A Global Celebration of Culture, Nature, and History

Published on July 17, 2025

Great news for history buffs, culture vultures and lovers of nature was announced at a recent session of UNESCO in Paris. The global body has added 26 new properties to its exclusive World Heritage List. These 30 new inscriptions range from sites of great natural beauty, sites that capture pivotal moments in the history of humankind, and sites that document the unsuspected slave trade and the sociocultural status of women in our history.

Of the new entries, some anchored world events or had outstanding historic or cultural influence. The new sites illustrate the diversity of human ingenuity and natural beauty found across the globe, from the remains of military architecture and sacred areas, to captivating geological formations that are both remote and raw. Here’s a closer look at the top five most notable sites from this new batch.

Top 5 Important UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Maratha Military Sites (India)

Its Maratha Military Architecture in Maharashtra, a chain of 12 forts in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra, is a significant addition to the annals of history. They are the masterpieces embodying the military successes of the Maratha Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. Raigad, Shivneri and Pratapgad are some of the famous forts in Maharashtra, each with its own story of protection, victory and architectural genius. With this inscription, India now has 44 sites listed, of which 32 are cultural, 7 natural and 1 is mixed site.

Placed on the hills and mountains these forts served as the defense mechanism of Marathas and provide a military insight into the defense architecture and military tactics of the time. This acknowledgment highlights the significance of conserving India’s histories to safeguard them for future generations.

• Megaliths of Carnac (France)

The Megaliths of Carnac in France make up one of Europe’s most important prehistoric sites. With thousands of standing stones, the site provides a unique insight into Neolithic peoples’ rituals and astronomy. The stones span a large area of Brittany and their exact purpose is unknown, but they are a reminder of the early intelligence of humans and the belief systems that connected our ancient ancestors to the universe. The inclusion of the Carnac stones in the World Heritage Sites list is a guarantee of their continuing protection and the continuing scientific investigation.

• Sardis and Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Turkey)

The Sardis and Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe can be considered as the two substantial archaeological areas in Western Turkey, in which significant new evidence on the Lydian civilization has been unearthed. The Lydian capital, Sardis, is famous for its royal tombs and for having produced the first standardized gold coinage, a major bugle in the history of finance. Dignitaries and members of the Lydian royal family were laid to rest in the tumuli, or burial mounds, as well, so they are historically important. It sheds a light upon the affluent civilization and advanced technology of the Lydian Empire.

• Petroglyphs of Shulgan-Tash Cave (Russia)

The Petroglyphs of Shulgan-Tash Cave, in the Ural Mountains of Russia, is one of the most significant prehistoric rock art sites in Europe. The petroglyphs, estimated to be at least 12,000 years old, feature images of animal forms, hunting scenes, and symbolic abstract forms. Here can be traced the development of symbolic thought and the formation of conceptual and artistic complexes by human being from their inception. This is an excavation which changed our perception of human evolution.This site is very significant from the archaeological world. The listing on UNESCO will support its preservation for the future generation and ensure protection of this ancient human communication form.

• Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia)

The Murujuga Cultural Landscape of Australia hosts the that contains the world’s largest collection of rock images made by Aboriginal people – art that spans over 40,000 years of human history. The rock engravings, found in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, depict the local Aboriginal people’s relationship to the land, spirituality and social systems. The site is also significant as a living cultural landscape, as many connected Aboriginal communities still have association with the land. UNESCO listing will protect Murujuga’s cultural value and historical significance.

The Other Newly Added Sites

While not part of the top five, UNESCO also lists other culturally and ecologically important sites:

Cultural Sites:

• Cambodian Memorial Sites (Cambodia): Memorials from the Khmer Rouge era, including Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek.

• Faya Paleolandscape (UAE): Fossilized desert remains that provide insights into early human settlements.

• Funerary Tradition of Prehistoric Sardinia (Italy): Sites with prehistoric burial structures like domus de janas.

• Forest Research Institute Park (Malaysia): A historic site of forestry education and research.

• Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece): Archaeological remnants of Minoan civilization, including Knossos.

• 17th-Century Port Royal (Jamaica): The notorious colonial-era port city known for its pirates and maritime history.

Natural Sites:

• Gola-Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone): A rainforest area of significant biodiversity.

• Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagos Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau): A marine site crucial for biodiversity conservation.

• Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil): A dramatic canyon landscape rich in geological formations and biodiversity.

• Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs (Denmark): Iconic white chalk cliffs offering panoramic views and geological significance.

Mixed Site:

Mount Kumgang, Diamond Mountain (North Korea): A site blending natural beauty with cultural significance, reflecting Korea’s spiritual heritage.

Why UNESCO Recognition Matters

World Heritage status by UNESCO is more than a metaphorical accolade. It ensures the conservation of such sites around the world by giving them the protection and recognition they deserve. With the addition of these new sites, they will be preserved for generations to come, protected from either development, deterioration or neglect.

UNESCO World Heritage properties also support local economies through tourism, fostering a sense of place and economic development, and helping to preserve the cultural heritage of the sites for future generations. Through this site, UNESCO enters into partnerships with its global audience with the goal of ensuring that these invaluable items of cultural and natural heritage form a permanent part of the collective memory of humanity.

Looking Ahead

The 26 new World Heritage Sites included in 2025 are a testament to the rich diversity of humanity and our collective responsibility to safeguard our past, present, and future. Whether historically significant, boasting of scenic landscapes or enriched with cultural value- these places remind us of the need to safeguard our shared legacy for the generations to come. While UNESCO pursues its work to identify and safeguard these priceless sites, the world is reminded of the need to cherish and preserve the cultural and natural wonders that constitute our common heritage.