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| in the Nordic Countries See the UNESCO WHS in Norway - Denmark - Sweden - Finland - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Orkney - Iceland - Greenland - Canada What
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? |
| | Sweden  »
Royal Domain of DrottningholmThe Royal Domain of Drottningholm stands on an island in the Stockholm area. The palace, which includes a theatre, a Chinese pavilion and gardens, is the finest example of an 18th-century north European royal residence. Drottningholm Palace is the primary residence of the Swedish royal family. Visit the Swedish Royal Court official website. » Birka and Hovgården  Birka, near Stockholm, is generally regarded as Sweden's oldest town. Birka was an important Viking international trading center during the 9th and 10th centuries AD while its neighbor Hovgården was the political capital. In Hovgården there are the remains of thousands of Viking burial mounds. The trading network built from Birka and Hovgården by the Vikings had a great influence on the subsequent history of Scandinavia. Visit the Birka and Hovgården page at the UNESCO website.  »
Engelsberg IronworksSweden was a world leader or iron production during the 17th and 18th centuries. Engelsberg Ironworks site, in central Sweden, is the best-preserved and most complete example of this type of Swedish ironworks. Visit the Ecomuseum Bergslagen website. » Rock Carvings at Tanum  Tanum, in southern Sweden, has hundreds of rock carvings dated back from 800 to 500 BC depicting mainly men, ships, and animals. The Tanum carvings reveal the life and beliefs of people in northern Europe during the Bronze Age. Visit the Vitlycke Museum website.  »
SkogskyrkogårdenThe Skogskyrkogården or Woodland Cemetery is a Stockholm cemetery created in 1917. The cemetery blends landform and natural vegetation with different architectural features, and influenced the design of many cemeteries around the world. Visit the Woodland Cemetery official website. » Hanseatic Town of Visby  Visby is the largest city on the island of Gotland, southern Sweden, and is considered to be the best preserved medieval town in Scandinavia. The city developed from a Viking town to the main center of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic from the 12th to the 14th century. Inside the 3.4 km long walls there are more than 200 historical houses from the Middle Ages. Watch pictures of Historic Visby.  »
Church Village of GammelstadGammelstad Church Town near Luleå, north Sweden, has 424 wooden houses built around a 15th century church. The houses were originally built for worshippers who came to mass from the surrounding countryside and would be unable to return to their homes the same day before night. Gammelstad Church Town is the best preserved example of the traditional Scandinavian church towns. Visit the Church Village page at the UNESCO website. » Laponian Area  The
Laponian Area comprises a large part of the Swedish Lapland province, in the north
of the country. The region is one of the last wilderness areas on the planet.
95% of the Laponian Area is protected by national parks or nature reserves. The native Sami people of Lapland still maintain their traditional way of life based on seasonal transhumance of reindeer. Visit the Laponian Area official website.  » Naval Port of Karlskrona Karlskrona in southern Sweden is Sweden's only Naval base. The city was founded in 1680 by King Karl XI to host the Royal Swedish Navy. Karlskrona is an exceptionally well preserved example of a European planned naval town. Visit the City of Karlskrona official website. » Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland  Öland,
an island in the Baltic Sea in southern Sweden, is the country's second largest
island. The southern part of the island is a vast limestone plateau, which is the habitat of numerous rare and endangered species. Humans have also settled in this unique limestone landscape from prehistoric times to the present day, adapting their way of life to the special environment of the island. Visit the Southern Öland page at the UNESCO website. » High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago  The
High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago is a natural region shared by Sweden and Finland
in the Gulf of Bothnia. The Kvarken Archipelago, which has over 5,600 islands, is still been shaped by the glacial retreat that happened 9,600 years ago. As the Archipelago still rises from the sea, new islands and land keep on emerging over the years. Visit the High Coast official website. » Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain  The mining area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun, central Sweden, has been producing copper from the 9th century until the last pit closure a few years ago. The mine was the world's leading producer of copper in the 17th century and the technology used here influenced mining techniques in the rest of the world. The 17th-century planned town of Falun is a well preserved example of a European mining town with many historic buildings and industrial remains. Visit the Falun World Heritage Site official website. » Varberg Radio Station  The
Grimeton VLF transmitter at Varberg, southern Sweden, is the only surviving example
of a major transmitting station based on pre-electronic technology.The station was built in 1922-24 for transatlantic radio telegraphy to Radio Central in Long Island, USA. The transmitter equipment and the high steel towers have been maintained in operating condition, and are used for transmitting Morse messages on special occasions. Visit the Radiostation Grimeton official website. » Struve Geodetic Arc The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulation points set between 1816 and 1855 by the scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to establish the exact size and shape of the earth. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points set across different countries, from Norway to the Black Sea. The points allowed the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helped to establish the exact size of our planet, and marked an important step in the development of topographic mapping. The Struve Arc is an example of collaboration among scientists and kings from different countries for a scientific cause. In Sweden, there are survey points at Tynnyrilaki in Kiruna, Jupukka in Pajala, Pullinki in Övertorneå, and Perävaara in Haparanda. Visit the Struve Geodetic Arc page at the UNESCO website. Finland  »
Fortress of SuomenlinnaThe Fortress of Suomenlinna was built in the 18th over six islands at the entrance of Helsinki's harbour and is an example of European military architecture of the time. Since Suomenlinna was turned over to civilian administration in 1973 it has become Helsinki's greatest tourist attraction. About 900 people and 350 staff live permanently on the islands and the fort, which is connected by ferries with the city, is a popular picnicking spot for the locals. Visit the Suomenlinna official website.  »
Rauma Old TownRauma, a town in southwest Finland, is one of the oldest harbours in the country. The town grew around the 15th century Holy Cross Church, and with approximately 600 different old buildings it is an outstanding example of a classic Nordic city built in wood. Visit the Town of Rauma official website.  »
Petäjävesi Old ChurchThe old church at Petäjävesi, in in central Finland, is a typical example of a Lutheran church of the Scandinavian tradition. The church was built between 1763 and 1765 with a mix of Renaissance and Gothic elements. Visit the Petäjävesi Old Church website. » Verla Groundwood and Board Mill  Verla, municipality of Jaala in Southern Finland, has one of the very few surviving old groundwood mills in Europe and America. Verla's well preserved 19th-century Groundwood and Board Milland its associated residential area is an outstanding example of the small-scale rural industrial settlements associated with pulp, paper and board production that flourished in northern Europe and North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visit the Verla Groundwood and Board Mill official website.  »
Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Burial SiteThe Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age cemetery in Lappi, southwest Finland, is one of the most important Bronze Age sites in northern Europe. The site has 33 granite burial cairns dating from 1,500 to 500 BC and provides a unique example of the ancient funerary practices in northern Europe. Visit the Sammallahdenmäki page at the UNESCO website. » High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago The
High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago is a natural region shared by Finland and Sweden
in the Gulf of Bothnia. The Kvarken Archipelago, which has over 5,600 islands, is still been shaped by the glacial retreat that happened 9,600 years ago. As the Archipelago still rises from the sea, new islands and land keep on emerging over the years. Visit the High Coast official website. » Struve Geodetic Arc The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulation points set between 1816 and 1855 by the scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to establish the exact size and shape of the earth. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points set across different countries, from Norway to the Black Sea. The points allowed the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helped to establish the exact size of our planet, and marked an important step in the development of topographic mapping. The Struve Arc is an example of collaboration among scientists and kings from different countries for a scientific cause. In Finland, there are survey points at Stuorrahanoaivi in Enontekiö, Aavasaksa in Ylitornio, Alatornion kirkko in Tornio, Oravivuori in Korpilahti, Tornikallio in Lapinjärvi, and Mustaviiri in Pyhtää. Visit the Struve Geodetic Arc page at the UNESCO website. |
| | Estonia » Old Town of Tallinn  Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn, was developed in the 13th century by the Hanseatic League as a commercial port for trading between Western Europe and Russia. Tallinn’s old town is an outstand example of a well preserved medieval northern European trading city, with many public buildings, merchant’s houses, and military defences looking exactly the same as they were five centuries ago. One of Tallinn’s gothic churches, St Olaf, was the tallest building in the world during part of the 16th and 17th centuries. Visit Digital Tallinn website. » Struve Geodetic Arc The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulation points set between 1816 and 1855 by the scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to establish the exact size and shape of the earth. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points set across different countries, from Norway to the Black Sea. The points allowed the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helped to establish the exact size of our planet, and marked an important step in the development of topographic mapping. The Struve Arc is an example of collaboration among scientists and kings from different countries for a scientific cause. In Estonia, there are survey points at Võivere in Avanduse, Simuna in Avanduse, and Tartu observatory in Tartu. Visit the Struve Geodetic Arc page at the UNESCO website. Latvia » Historic City of Riga  Latvia’s capital city, Riga, was a major commercial port of the Hanseatic League between the 13th–15th centuries. Although many of the old medieval buildings in the old town have disappeared because of fires or war, in the 19th century the city became one of the world’s centers of Jugendstil or Art Nouveau architecture. Take a Virtual Tour of Riga. » Struve Geodetic Arc The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulation points set between 1816 and 1855 by the scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to establish the exact size and shape of the earth. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points set across different countries, from Norway to the Black Sea. The points allowed the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helped to establish the exact size of our planet, and marked an important step in the development of topographic mapping. The Struve Arc is an example of collaboration among scientists and kings from different countries for a scientific cause. In Latvia, there are survey points at Ziestu in Sausneja and Jekabpils. Visit the Struve Geodetic Arc page at the UNESCO website. Lithuania  »
Vilnius Historic CityWith 1487 listed buildings, Lithuania’s capital city has one of the largest surviving old towns in Europe. Vilnius was one of the most important and cosmopolitan cities in Eastern Europe. The city’s diverse cultural influences can be seen through its architectural heritage, with medieval gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical styles standing side by side everywhere. Watch some Pictures of Vilnius.  »
Curonian SpitThe Curonian Spit is a 98 km long sand dune peninsula in the Baltic Sea shared by Lithuania and Russia. The Curonian Spit was formed about 5,000 years ago and has the highest drifting sand dunes in Europe (35 to 60 meters high). It is a very vulnerable environment subject to wind and tidal erosion as well as human intervention. Visit the Kursiu Nerija National Park website. » Kernave Archaeological Site  Kernave,
a former capital of medieval Lithuania, is a tourist and archeological village
in the southeast of the country. In 1390 the town was raided and abandoned until
archaeologists uncovered it in modern times.The Kernave Archaeological Site comprises forts and burial sites from the late Palaeolithic period to the Middle Ages and represents an exceptional testimony to the evolution of human settlements in the Baltic region in Europe over the period of some 10 millennia. Visit the Cultural Reserve of Kernave official website. » Struve Geodetic Arc The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulation points set between 1816 and 1855 by the scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to establish the exact size and shape of the earth. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points set across different countries, from Norway to the Black Sea. The points allowed the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian, helped to establish the exact size of our planet, and marked an important step in the development of topographic mapping. The Struve Arc is an example of collaboration among scientists and kings from different countries for a scientific cause. In Lithuania, there are survey points at Gireišiai in Panemunelis, Meškonys in Nemencine, Paliepiukai in Nemežis. Visit the Struve Geodetic Arc page at the UNESCO website. Orkney » Neolithic Orkney  The Orkney islands have group of Neolithic monuments dating back to 3000-2000 BC among which is the famous Skara Brae, Europe's most complete Neolithic village. Besides Skara Brae, Orkney World Heritage Site has also two ceremonial stone circles –one of them is the largest in Britain- and a number of burial sites including a large chambered tomb with runic inscriptions left by the Vikings. Find Skara Brae in the Historic Scotland website. Iceland » Thingvellir National Park  Thingvellir
National Park, on the south-west of Iceland, near the peninsula of Reykjanes,
is a region of natural and cultural importance.In this place met the Althing, Iceland's national assembly and court of law, from 930 AD until 1798 AD, and its archaeological remains can still be seen today. The Althing, which is mentioned in the Viking Sagas, has a highly interesting historical value as the world's best known symbol of old Norse governance. Thingvellir has been a national park since 1928 and is one of the most iconic landscapes of Iceland. The land has been dramatically shaped by volcanoes, ice and water. Visit the Thingvellir National Park official website. Greenland » Ilulissat Icefjord  Ilulissat
Icefjord, on the west coast of Greenland, is a very unique glacier. Here, near
the town of Ilulissat, Greenland's huge ice cap cascades directly into a fjord,
in a way that can only be seen in Antarctica.The glacier has been studied by scientists for over 250 years and it has helped to understand glaciology and the effects of climate change. The glacier is one of the fastest and biggest in the world, and the local region is one of Greenland's most popular tourist destinations. Visit the Ilulissat Icefjord's UNESCO webpage. Canada » L'Anse Aux Meadows  The
Vikings were the first Europeans to set foot in North America.In the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador are the remains of an 11th century Viking settlement, built probably by the Scandinavian explorers who visited north America after the Leif Ericson expedition. The Anse aux Meadows settlement is a typical Viking settlement similar to those found in Norse Greenland and Iceland. Visit the Parks Canada official website.
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»
Urnes Stave Church
Near
the town of Alta, in northern Norway, there are more than 5,000 rock carvings
made around from 4200 to 500 B.C by an ancient culture of hunter-gatherers.
»
Roskilde Cathedral
The
Royal Castle of Kronborg is strategically built over the sound between Denmark
and Sweden, near the city of Helsingør.
