World
Heritage Sites in Italy
(Sites
that are Honors College Italy Program components have HCIP
after them)
According
to the World Heritage Convention, "cultural heritage" is a monument,
group of buildings or site of historical, aesthetic, archaeological,
scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. "Natural heritage"
designates outstanding physical, biological, and geological features;
habitats of threatened plants or animal species and areas of value on
scientific or aesthetic grounds or from the point of view of conservation.
These cultural and natural sites constitute, together with many others,
a common heritage, to be treasured as unique testimonies to an enduring
past. Their disappearance would be an irreparable loss for each and
every one of us. And yet, most are threatened, particularly in present
times. The preservation of this common heritage concerns us all.
That is the
objective of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage.This international agreement, signed to date by
more than 150 States Parties, was adopted by the General Conference
of UNESCO in 1972. Its primary mission is to define and conserve the
world's heritage, by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values
should be preserved for all humanity and to ensure their protection
through a closer co-operation among nations.
By signing
the Convention, each country pledges to conserve the sites situated
on its territory, some of which may be recognized as World Heritage.
Their preservation for future generations then becomes a responsibility
shared by the international community as a whole. The Convention's focus
on both cultural and natural heritage makes it a unique legal instrument.
This is expressed in the World Heritage emblem, which is round, like
the world, but at the same time it is a symbol of protection. The central
square is a form created by man and the circle represents nature, the
two being intimately linked. The World Heritage Committee has
inscribed the following properties on the World Heritage List.
The List, arranged alphabetically by nominating State Party, is current
as of December 2000. The list will be updated following the next meeting
of the Committee in December 2001.