About World Heritage Sites

A World Heritage Site is an environment that is considered completely unique in the world and therefore of importance to all of humanity. To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria set by UNESCO.

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To be designated as a World Heritage site, an object must possess Outstanding Universal Value and meet at least one of the ten criteria established by UNESCO. These criteria are used to determine whether a site or object is significant enough to be preserved as part of our shared heritage for future generations. It must hold a unique cultural or natural value that transcends national boundaries and is relevant to all people, regardless of where they live in the world.

World Heritage sites can be seen as different chapters in our collective history book. Natural heritage tells the story of the Earth's development, while cultural heritage portrays humanity's journey through time and space. Together, these sites illustrate how both the forces of nature and human creativity have shaped our world. By preserving these unique World Heritage sites, we safeguard knowledge of our shared evolution and provide valuable insights for addressing future challenges. In this way, future generations can not only understand our history but also use these lessons to navigate an ever-changing world and face new societal challenges.

UNESCO

UNESCO is responsible internationally regarding world heritage sites. The World Heritage Committee leads the work of enforcing the World Heritage Convention. The Committee also appoints new World Heritage Sites and decides whether a site should be removed from the World Heritage List.

World Heritage Sites in Sweden

There are more than 1100 objects on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The Swedish World Heritage Sites are:

  1. Naval Port of Karlskrona
  2. Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland
  3. Hanseatic Town of Visby
  4. Grimeton Radio Station
  5. Rock Carvings in Tanum
  6. Skogskyrkogården
  7. Royal Domain of Drottningholm
  8. Brika and Hovgården
  9. Engelsberg Ironworks
  10. Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun
  11. High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago
  12. Church Village of Gammelstad
  13. Laponian Area
  14. Struve Geodetic Arc
  15. The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland

Världsarv i Sverige (Swedish World Heritages Sites)

Nordic World Heritages

Nordic World Heritage Association, NWHA, is a non-profit organisation with the aim of supporting the Nordic World Heritage Sites and the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in the Nordic countries.

There are 42 Nordic World Heritage Sites divided between five countries.