UNESCO unveils new World Heritage Sites

UNESCO added World War I memorial locations across the Western Front to its World Heritage registry. The sites stretch from Belgium's north to eastern France, where Allied forces clashed with the German army from 1914 to 1918. Included are necropolises bearing multitudes of soldiers of various nationalities to smaller graveyards. This is Tyne Cot Commonwealth cemetery in Zonnebeke, Belgium.

The Murambi, Nyamata, Gisozi and Bisesero memorial sites of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi have been added to the World Heritage list. More than 800,000 people — mainly Tutsi, but also moderate Hutus — were murdered in Rwanda, Africa during a 100-day killing spree in 1994. The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, pictured above, is the final resting place of around 250,000 victims.

The Hoysala dynasty built over 1,500 temples during its reign, of which only about 100 still exist today. These stone structures are widely recognized for their detail-rich workmanship. Chennakeshava Temple (pictured) in Belur, Karnataka State, is one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture.

In ancient times, Djerba hosted North Africa's most important seaport. Over the centuries, many different peoples and cultures left their mark on the island. The archaeological site of the ancient city of Meninx, the El Ghriba Synagogue and many beautiful mosques illustrate this cultural diversity.

Five ring forts from the Viking era were added to UNESCO's prestigious heritage list. The fortresses date back to the 10th century and were established at the behest of King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson. The impressively symmetrical structures served defense purposes and were a show of might.

In medieval times, Erfurt was home to a thriving Jewish community. Numerous edifices and cultural artifacts bear testimony to this rich history. Among them is the city's Old Synagogue, with parts dating back to the 11th century. It is regarded as one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved medieval synagogues in Europe.

From about 42-532 AD, the territory of what is now South Korea was controlled by the Gaya, a confederacy of small kingdoms. Hundreds of burial mounds dating back to the Gaya era can still be found there today. Interestingly, it is somewhat reminiscent of the prehistoric Great Serpent Mound effigy site found in Ohio, USA, built by Native Americans and located roughly half-way around the globe.

Guatemala's archaeological site of Takalik Abaj was once an essential Mayan trading city. Here, you can find remains of Mayan and Olmec culture, dating back to the ninth century BC, encompassing temple ruins, giant stones bearing intricate inscriptions, sculptures and more.

Large stone monuments created by the Talayotic culture are scattered around the Spanish island of Minorca. These impressive Iron Age megalithic sites are a treasure trove for archaeologists and draw scores of tourists as well. According to the barcelo.com website, such sites were used for observation and surveillance to protect villages from intruders.

What would China be if it weren't for its tea? That's what UNESCO said when it named the Jingmai Mountain region a World Heritage Site in September 2023. UNESCO said that the Jingmai Mountain region's tea plantations host a thousand-years-old special cultural landscape, including forest ecosystem cultivation closely related to ancient tea tree growth, native ethnic villages and rich folk cultures.

Canada garnered a new spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list for the Tr'ondek-Klondike region. Beyond the natural beauty of the site, the area along the Yukon River in the sub-arctic region of Northwest Canada reflects Indigenous peoples' struggle against unprecedented changes caused by the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th century.

The Maison Carree was erected in the 1st century AD, in the Roman colony of Nemausus (today's Nimes, in France). It is an early example of a Roman temple associated with imperial worship. The architecture and elaborate decoration symbolically communicated the ideological program of Augustus, who transitioned Ancient Rome from a republic to an empire, opening a new golden age known as "Pax Romana."

The imposing Bale Mountains in southern Ethiopia boast great biological diversity, intricate cave systems and the Harenna Forest, a natural tropical evergreen forest. It is easy for visitors to spot unique birds and mammals in this region.

The Kazan City Astronomical Observatory was built in 1837. Its architecture and historical astronomical instruments are a testimony to the transition from classical astronomy to modern astrophysics. The UNESCO-listed site comprises two parts: the historical center of Kazan, along with a forested area in the suburbs of the city where astronomical observations are also made.

"The archaeological site of Koh Ker is a sacred urban ensemble of numerous temples and sanctuaries including sculptures, inscriptions, wall paintings and archaeological remains," noted UNESCO. Established as the Khmer empire's rival capital to Angkor in the 10th century, and serving as the sole capital from 928 to 944, the temple complex was built within 23 years.

UNESCO added Iran's caravanserais — roadside inns for travelers along the country's ancient trade routes — to its World Heritage list. Built over many centuries, they provided "shelter, food and water for caravans, pilgrims and other travelers," UNESCO said, with their locations across thousands of kilometers determined by the presence of water, geographical conditions and security concerns.