Switzerland's World Heritage Sites
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Switzerland currently has seven cultural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition three natural regions have been listed as World Heritage Sites.
The six cultural sites on the World Heritage List are-
1. Old City of Bern: Goethe said that Bern was the most beautiful town he had ever seen. This praise is justified. Built on a hilled peninsula surrounded by the river Aar, the federal capital is an outstanding Baroque ensemble. It is also a positive example of how the structure of a medieval town can be preserved while meeting the increasingly complex requirements of a modern city. With its imposing rows of house and its impressive roofscape, best seen from the top of the Gothic cathedral, its arcades, cellars, towers and numerous fountains, it invites visitors to take a stroll through the centuries.
2. Convent St John in Müstair: For more than 30 years archaeologists have been researching the secrets of this 1200-year old monastery, probably founded by Charlemagne. Of outstanding value are the large early medieval cycle of wall paintings, from the 9th century, and the Romanesque imagery from the 12th/13th century. The Planta-Tower is said to be the oldest secular building still standing in the Alps. Important political, economical and religious outpost for the Carolingian empire and witness to the blooming of Christian culture, the convent is now a place of monastic life, cultural continuity, research and restoration.
3. Convent of St Gall: This convent is a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery. From its foundation in the 8th century, on the tomb of the Irish monk Gallus, to its secularisation in 1805, it was one of the most important in Europe. Its library is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. From 1755 to 1768, the conventual area was rebuilt in Baroque style. The cathedral and the library are the main features of this remarkable architectural complex, reflecting 12 centuries of continuous activity.
4. Three Castles of Bellinzone: This site is an outstanding example of a late medieval defensive structure guarding a key strategic Alpine pass. It consists of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a rocky peak looking out over the entire Ticino valley. Running from the castle, a series of fortified walls protect the ancient town and block the passage through the valley. A second castle, Montebello, forms an integral part of the fortifications, while a third one, Sasso Corbaro, stands alone on an isolated rocky promontory. Together, they formed the southern bastion of the Alpine valleys.
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The six cultural sites on the World Heritage List are-
1. Old City of Bern: Goethe said that Bern was the most beautiful town he had ever seen. This praise is justified. Built on a hilled peninsula surrounded by the river Aar, the federal capital is an outstanding Baroque ensemble. It is also a positive example of how the structure of a medieval town can be preserved while meeting the increasingly complex requirements of a modern city. With its imposing rows of house and its impressive roofscape, best seen from the top of the Gothic cathedral, its arcades, cellars, towers and numerous fountains, it invites visitors to take a stroll through the centuries.
2. Convent St John in Müstair: For more than 30 years archaeologists have been researching the secrets of this 1200-year old monastery, probably founded by Charlemagne. Of outstanding value are the large early medieval cycle of wall paintings, from the 9th century, and the Romanesque imagery from the 12th/13th century. The Planta-Tower is said to be the oldest secular building still standing in the Alps. Important political, economical and religious outpost for the Carolingian empire and witness to the blooming of Christian culture, the convent is now a place of monastic life, cultural continuity, research and restoration.
3. Convent of St Gall: This convent is a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery. From its foundation in the 8th century, on the tomb of the Irish monk Gallus, to its secularisation in 1805, it was one of the most important in Europe. Its library is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. From 1755 to 1768, the conventual area was rebuilt in Baroque style. The cathedral and the library are the main features of this remarkable architectural complex, reflecting 12 centuries of continuous activity.
4. Three Castles of Bellinzone: This site is an outstanding example of a late medieval defensive structure guarding a key strategic Alpine pass. It consists of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a rocky peak looking out over the entire Ticino valley. Running from the castle, a series of fortified walls protect the ancient town and block the passage through the valley. A second castle, Montebello, forms an integral part of the fortifications, while a third one, Sasso Corbaro, stands alone on an isolated rocky promontory. Together, they formed the southern bastion of the Alpine valleys.
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