Becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site

New World Heritage Site list - 9th August 2021

UNESCO has made some changes to the World Heritage List. The World Heritage Committee met to examine 255 of the world’s most important places.

The committee assessed how well the places had preserved their special qualities. There are standards which a World Heritage Site must meet. For example, a place like the Taj Mahal appears on the list due to its amazing architecture. The Grand Canyon is on the list because it’s helped us understand the history of the Earth.

However, the committee decided to remove the English city of Liverpool from the list, after years of concerns. In 2012, it learnt about plans to modernise the city’s beautiful waterside area. The committee now felt that it no longer met the list’s standards.

Although Liverpool has lost its place, the Paseo del Prado in Madrid is celebrating its inclusion on the list. This lovely avenue, which leads to Retiro Park, has several famous structures and fountains. It includes the Plaza de Cibeles, which it described as "an iconic symbol of the city". The Paseo was the first street of its kind open to all citizens.

The Spanish Prime Minister believes that Madrid deserves to be on the list. He said that it was "a lucky day for the city."