UNESCO names 26 new World Heritage Sites including Maratha Military Landscapes from India
From ancient forts to breathtaking canyons,
UNESCO
has added 26 new properties to the World Heritage List during its session in Paris. These include 21 cultural sites, four natural landscapes, and one mixed site.
Notably, India's own Maratha Military Landscapes—a network of 12 historical forts—have earned UNESCO recognition, marking India's 44th World Heritage site.
Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or travel junkie, this global update highlights the diversity and significance of our shared heritage. Here is a list of all the important World Heritage Sites added by UNESCO in their official list.
List of 26 new sites added in UNESCO World Heritage list
S NO.
Site Name
Country / Region
Type
1
Cambodian Memorial Sites
Cambodia (3 locations)
Cultural
2
Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal
Tajikistan
Cultural
3
Diy‑Gid‑Biy Cultural Landscape
Cameroon
Cultural
4
Faya Palaeolandscape
UAE
Cultural
5
Forest Research Institute Park
Malaysia
Cultural
6
Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia
Italy
Cultural
7
Maratha Military Landscapes
India
Cultural
8
Megaliths of Carnac
France
Cultural
9
Minoan Palatial Centres
Greece
Cultural
10
Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape
Malawi
Cultural
11
Murujuga Cultural Landscape
Australia
Cultural
12
Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream
South Korea
Cultural
13
Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave
Russia
Cultural
14
Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe
Türkiye
Cultural
15
17th‑Century Port Royal
Jamaica
Cultural
16
Colonial Transisthmian Route
Panama
Cultural
17
Palaces of King Ludwig II
Germany
Cultural
18
Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley
Iran
Cultural
19
Wixarika Route to Wirikuta
Mexico
Cultural
20
Xixia Imperial Tombs
China
Cultural
21
Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex
Vietnam
Cultural
22
Cavernas do Peruacu National Park
Brazil
Natural
23
Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós
Guinea‑Bissau
Natural
24
Gola‑Tiwai Complex
Sierra Leone
Natural
25
Peruaçu River Canyon
Brazil
Natural
26
Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs
Denmark
Natural
New UNESCO World Heritage sites 2025
Cambodian Memorial Sites (Cambodia)
Source: UNESCO
Three powerful memorials—Tuol Sleng prison, Choeung Ek killing fields, and M-13 detention centre—stand as stark reminders of Khmer Rouge atrocities.
UNESCO honours these as essential testaments to historical memory, trauma education, and healing, ensuring global awareness of genocide's lessons.
Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan)
Source: UNESCO
The Khuttal site preserves medieval Central Asian culture through mosques, mausoleums, caravanserais, and ancient water systems. Dating from the 9th–12th centuries, it reveals intricate Islamic architecture, vibrant trade networks, and regional heritage in Tajik history.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile"
TradeWise
Learn More
Undo
Diy‑Gid‑Biy
Cultural Landscape
(Cameroon)
Source: UNESCO
In North-West Cameroon, this landscape blends terraced farmland, sacred forests, and communal villages. It embodies Bamileke spiritual customs, showcasing how cultural identity and ecological harmony co‑exist through ancestral agricultural practices and social tradition.
Faya Palaeolandscape
(UAE)
Source: UNESCO
This prehistoric site houses 100,000‑year‑old archaeological evidence, including stone tools and remains of ancient settlements.
UNESCO highlighted how it offers insight into early human migration patterns and environmental adaptation in the Arabian desert.
Forest Research Institute Park (Malaysia)
Source: UNESCO
As per UNESCO official reports, FRIM, founded in 1929, is a botanical research haven near Kuala Lumpur. It combines colonial‑era architecture with lush tropical forests and early conservation efforts—making it a model of urban biodiversity and environmental education.
Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia (Italy)
Source: UNESCO
Sardinia's rock‑cut tombs—Giants' Tombs and domus de janas—date to the Bronze Age.
Carved into limestone cliffs, they reflect ancient burial traditions, illustrating early Sardinian ritual culture and impressive prehistoric craftsmanship.
Maratha Military Landscapes
(India)
Source: UNESCO
A network of twelve forts—including Raigad, Shivneri, and Gingee—spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Built between the 17th–19th centuries,they showcase Maratha military strategy, adaptive architecture, and regional defence innovations, marking a crucial period in Indian history.
Megaliths of Carnac (France)
Source: UNESCO
Home to over 3,000 Neolithic standing stones, dolmens, and burial mounds from 4500–3300 BCE. Carnac is one of the world's largest prehistoric megalith complexes, offering archaeological and astronomical insights into ancient European society.
Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece)
Source: UNESCO
Including Knossos and Phaistos, these Bronze‑Age palaces feature advanced architecture, frescoed walls, drainage systems, and ceremonial spaces. They epitomize the cultural sophistication of the Minoan civilization on Crete between 2000–1400 BCE.
Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi)
Source: UNESCO
As per UNESCO reports, Mount Mulanje combines sacred peaks over 3,000 m with ritual forests and sacred water sources. Local communities regard it as spiritually significant, blending biodiversity conservation with ancestral cultural traditions.
Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia)
Source: UNESCO
Located on Burrup Peninsula, this site preserves over a million Aboriginal rock engravings depicting marine life and ancestral stories. It's the world's largest petroglyph collection and a living testament to Indigenous heritage.
Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream (South Korea)
Source: UNESCO
Riverside rock carvings from the Bronze Age depicting deer, humans, and geometric motifs. These engravings provide rare insights into ritual symbolism and prehistoric social life in the Korean Peninsula.
Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave (Russia)
Source: UNESCO
These Ice‑Age cave paintings in the southern Urals feature ancient depictions of animals and abstract symbols, dating back 14,000 years. They offer an invaluable window into early human art and spirituality.
Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Türkiye)
Source: UNESCO
Near ancient Sardis, this site includes monumental burial tumuli and urban remains.UNESCO underlines how it reflects royal Lydian funerary traditions and highlights the region's significance in Iron Age Anatolian history.
17th‑Century Port Royal (Jamaica)
Source: UNESCO
Once a notorious pirate haven, Port Royal was rich in colonial architecture and seafaring culture. Devastated by the 1692 earthquake, its submerged ruins preserve a dramatic chapter of Caribbean colonial life.
Colonial Transisthmian Route (Panama)
Source: UNESCO
Stretching across the Isthmus of Panama, this historic route includes colonial roads, mule trails, and ports. It served early global transit between the Caribbean and Pacific, symbolising early trade and conquest.
Palaces of King Ludwig II (Germany)
Source: UNESCO
Three 19th‑century Bavarian palaces—Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee—blend romantic aesthetics, technological daring, and fairy‑tale grandeur. They embody King Ludwig II's artistic vision and architectural extravagance.
Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley (Iran)
Source: UNESCO
According to UNESCO reports,this valley holds Bronze‑to‑Iron Age forts, necropolises, and rock‑cut tombs in western Iran. It reveals early fortified settlements and fortified architecture from ancient highland communities.
Wixarika Route to Wirikuta (Mexico)
Source: UNESCO
A sacred pilgrimage path for the Wixarika (Huichol) people, leading to the desert site of Wirikuta. This route supports peyote rituals, spiritual journeying, and Indigenous cultural continuity.
Xixia Imperial Tombs (China)
Source: UNESCO
Near Yinchuan, these 11th–13th century mausoleums of the Tangut-led Xixia dynasty reveal sophisticated funerary architecture and a fusion of Buddhist rituals and regional power expressions.
Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex (Vietnam)
Source: UNESCO
A revered Buddhist landscape on Yen Tu Mountain, featuring temples, pagodas, and pilgrimage trails built between the 14th–18th centuries. UNESCO highlighted how it's central to Vietnam's spiritual heritage and medieval religious architecture.
Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park (Brazil)
Source: UNESCO
This natural site combines vast limestone caves with prehistoric rock art and biodiversity-rich forests. Its geological formations and rare artworks represent both ecological and archaeological value.
Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós (Guinea‑Bissau)
Source: UNESCO
An unspoiled archipelago of mangroves, sandbanks, and coastal wetlands. UNESCO reports that it supports endangered species such as manatees and serves as a key migratory bird habitat, revered for its ecological significance.
Gola‑Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone)
Source: UNESCO
A rainforest corridor linking Gola Forest and Tiwai Island. This biodiversity hotspot shelters endangered species like chimpanzees and pygmy hippos and highlights community-led conservation efforts.
Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil)
Source: UNESCO
Known for its rugged canyons, waterfalls, and endemic biodiversity. Its unique riverine landscape sustains diverse cerrado ecosystems and preserves both scenic and ecological importance.
Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs (Denmark)
Source: UNESCO
Dramatic white chalk cliffs along the Baltic Sea, rich in Cretaceous‑era fossils. Their steep escarpments and delicate flora make them a geological marvel and scenic coastal treasure.
Also read|
Germany's iconic and most-visited fairytale castle is now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Raipur–Jabalpur Express flagged off: Train service to boost trade, tourism across 3 states – check route, timings
RAIPUR: The new Raipur–Jabalpur Express was flagged off from Raipur railway station on Sunday, enhancing connectivity between Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The express service offers a faster and more convenient route for travelers between Raipur, Gondia, and Jabalpur, with 15 coaches including one AC chair car, four chair cars, eight general coaches, one power car, and one SLR coach. Regular service for train number 11701 will depart from Raipur at 2:45 pm and arrive in Jabalpur at 10:45 pm. Train number 11702 will depart from Jabalpur at 6 am and reach Raipur at 1:50 pm. This new service will be helpful for business travellers, students, tourists, and daily commuters. It will also improve access to tourist destinations like Nandanvan Zoological Park, Maa Bamleshwari Temple, Kanha National Park, and Bhedaghat. Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh flagged off the train from Raipur railway station. The new service, which will connect three states, was launched virtually by Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Mansukh Mandaviya from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo At the virtual launch, the Rewa-Pune (Hadapsar) Express and Bhavnagar Terminus-Ayodhya Express were also inaugurated. Chief minister Sai said the new train was a gift to the people of Chhattisgarh from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He thanked them on behalf of the state's 3 crore people. He said that Chhattisgarh's rail budget had increased by 21 times in the last decade, with an allocation of Rs 6,900 crore this year. He also highlighted that rail projects worth more than Rs 47,000 crore are underway in the state. Under the 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme', 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 680 crore. The chief minister mentioned that new rail projects have been sanctioned for the Naxal-affected Bastar region, including the Rowghat-Jagdalpur rail line. He added that the new train service would boost tourism, education, and trade between Raipur and Jabalpur. Pilgrimage sites like Dongargarh's Maa Bamleshwari temple and Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh will now be more accessible. The Assembly Speaker described the launch of the Raipur-Jabalpur Express as a historic event that will strengthen connectivity between Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. He said the train would cover the 410-km journey in just 8 hours. Passengers will now be able to travel easily to Gondia, Balaghat, and Jabalpur, which will also give a push to regional trade and tourism. He pointed out that the 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme' is redeveloping 32 stations, and passenger amenities are being increased at major stations like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Arvinder Singh Bahal? The 80-year-old adventurer flying to space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin mission on August 3
Arvinder 'Arvi' Singh Bahal, an 80-year-old adventurer, real estate investor, and seasoned world traveller from Agra, India, is preparing for the journey of a lifetime. On August 3, 2025, Bahal will board Blue Origin 's New Shepard NS-34 space tourism mission, joining an elite group of private citizens who have crossed Earth's atmospheric boundary. For Bahal, this experience goes beyond the thrill of weightlessness symbolising decades of curiosity, courage, and relentless exploration. Having visited all 196 countries and seven continents, his adventurous spirit has taken him from polar ice fields to Mount Everest's skies. Now, at 80, Bahal's leap into space embodies the belief that it's never too late to chase extraordinary dreams and redefine human potential. Blue Origin sets August 3 launch for New Shepard NS-34 space tourism mission: Timing and live streaming Jeff Bezos ' aerospace company, Blue Origin, has officially announced the launch schedule for its next suborbital space tourism mission, New Shepard NS-34. The flight is currently targeted for Sunday, August 3, 2025, marking the 34th mission overall for the New Shepard spacecraft and the 14th crewed flight. The NS-34 mission will lift off from Blue Origin's private launch site in West Texas, near the town of Van Horn. The launch window opens at 8:30 am EDT (12:30 GMT; 7:30 a.m. local time in Texas). For space enthusiasts worldwide, Blue Origin will broadcast the event live, with coverage beginning 30 minutes before liftoff, offering real-time views of the historic flight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Why Smart People Put Baking Soda in Their Shampoo Read More Undo Arvinder Singh Bahal's early life and move to the United States Born near the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, Bahal's childhood ambitions included a career in the Indian Army. However, life took a different course when he shifted to entrepreneurship, initially working on a tea plantation in Darjeeling and later running a garment manufacturing business near Delhi. His life changed dramatically in 1975 when he traveled to the United States with just $108 in his pocket to sell his products. Impressed by the opportunities there, Bahal immigrated permanently, becoming a US citizen by the late 1970s. He built a thriving career as president of Bahal Properties, a real estate firm that provided both financial stability and the freedom to pursue his passion for travel. From Mount Everest to the Pyramids: Bahal's global travel legacy Bahal's life is a testament to curiosity and relentless exploration. He has visited all 196 countries and all seven continents, from the icy frontiers of the North and South Poles to skydiving above Mount Everest and exploring the ancient Pyramids of Giza. He has documented his journeys extensively, maintaining an archive of over one million photographs and authoring travel literature, including 'The Tireless Traveler,' which also serves as the name of his website. His Instagram highlights visits to Sikh shrines, Mongolia's eagle festivals, and even conflict-ridden Afghanistan, demonstrating his fearless approach to exploration. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin makes Bahal's space travel dream a reality Bahal's fascination with space travel began long before Blue Origin became a household name. Over a decade ago, he reserved a spot with Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic as 'Future Astronaut No. 326,' but those plans stalled when the company ended operations in 2023. Undeterred, Bahal kept his dream alive, and in 2025, it finally materialized with Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-34 mission. The suborbital flight, scheduled for launch from West Texas, will take Bahal and five other passengers—entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and journalists—across the Kármán line, the recognized boundary of space. Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin aims to make space accessible to non-astronauts, democratizing exploration once limited to government programs. The New Shepard spacecraft, designed for suborbital tourism, has already flown 70 individuals into space and safely returned them to Earth. The NS-34 mission marks its 14th crewed flight and 34th overall, continuing Blue Origin's push to normalize short-duration, high-altitude space experiences. Unlike SpaceX, which focuses on orbital flights, Blue Origin offers a faster, more accessible path to space for enthusiasts like Bahal. Also Read | Life found 31,000 feet below the ocean: A hidden world of deep-sea creatures thrives without sunlight
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Why Ooty becomes a monsoon paradise for travellers
Ooty is not the "Queen of Hill Stations," for nothing. Every year, throughout the year, thousands of tourists visit Ooty. But come monsoon, the hill station becomes an escape, one that offers stunning sight, memorable experiences and more. Monsoon is special, you see. Ooty, with its breathtaking landscapes, cool climate, rich biodiversity, and diverse cultural experiences, offers a relaxing escape that you will remember for a long time. This magical hill station also offers stunning and romantic stay options for every budget. Ooty's natural beauty Ooty is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in India. Its lush landscapes transform into a green paradise during the monsoon. The rolling hills are blanketed in mist, have the most stunning green cover, and are such a visual treat for nature lovers. There are beautiful waterfalls like Pykara Falls and Kalhatti Falls to see. Also, the tea plantations–the monsoon rains breathe life into the region's tea plantations. Ooty's comfortable climate Ooty's monsoon climate is cool and refreshing, with temperatures ranging from 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. Lovely! With rain comes the freshness, making it perfect for leisurely strolls or cozy evenings by the fireplace. The nip in the air adds a magical touch, and we can't deny that. The misty hill station is also a perfect honeymoon getaway. Rich biodiversity of Ooty The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, with areas like the Mukurthi National Park, is home to diverse flora and fauna. Here you will find rare and endemic species like the Nilgiri tahr and vibrant wildflowers. Take out some time to visit the famous Government Botanical Garden. The botanical garden's bright flowers are simply delightful. Adventures in Ooty For those seeking thrill and adventure, the monsoon season brings unique opportunities in Ooty. The rain-soaked trekking trails of the Nilgiris are popular, especially routes like the one to Glenmorgan. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is something one can't miss out on. It offers a picturesque train ride through tunnels and tea estates. Budget-friendly Ooty Ooty is accessible from major cities like Coimbatore (located just 85 km away) and Bengaluru (located 270 km away) making it a convenient getaway. During the monsoon season, the accommodation rates are lower than the peak tourist season, and there are fewer tourists as well. If you were waiting for a budget-friendly time to visit Ooty, now is the time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
