HISTORIC CENTER OF

UNESCO World Heritage Site | The view of the city from the top of the bell tower of Santa Maria del Fiore. In the foreground sits the famous dome that gave the cathedral the nickname “Il Duomo”.

Built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, , the symbol of the Renaissance, rose to economic and cultural pre-eminence under the Medici in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its 600 years of extraordinary artistic activity can be seen above all in the 13th-century cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Church of Santa Croce, the and the Pitti Palace, and in the work of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo. JUSTIFICATION FOR INSCRIPTION

CRITERION 1 The urban complex of Florence CRITERION 3 The Historic Centre of Florence is in itself a unique artistic realization, an absolute attests in an exceptional manner, and by its unique chef-d’œuvre, the fruit of continuous creation over coherence, to its power as a merchant-city of the more than six centuries. In addition to its museums Middle Ages and of the Renaissance. From its past, (the Archaeological Museum, Uffizi, , Pitti, Florence had preserved entire streets, fortified palaces Galleria dell’Accademia), the greatest concentration (Palazzo Spini, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo della of universally renowned works of art in the world is Signoria), lodges (, Loggia dei found here – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Lanzi, Loggia degli Innocenti and del Mercato Nuovo), Baptistery and the Campanile of Giotto, Piazza della fountains, a marvellous 14th-century bridge lined with Signoria dominated by and the Palazzo shops, the . Various trades, organized Uffizi, San Lorenzo, , Santa Croce into prosperous arts have left several monuments such and the , Santo Spirito, San Miniato, and as the Or San Michele. the Convent of San Marco which houses paintings of Fra Angelico. CRITERION 4 Florence, a first-rate economic and political power in Europe from the 14th to the 17th CRITERION 2 Since the Quattrocento, Florence has century, was covered during that period with exerted a predominant influence on the development prestigious buildings which translated the munificence of architecture and the monumental arts – first in Italy, of the bankers and the princes: Palazzo Rucellai, and throughout Europe: the artistic principles of the , , Palazzo Riccardi- Renaissance were defined there from the beginning Medici, Palazzo Pandolfini, and the Boboli of the 15th century by Brunelleschi, Donatello and Gardens – as well as the sacristy of San Lorenzo, the Masaccio. It was in the Florentine milieu that two funerary chapel of the Medicis, and the Biblioteca universal geniuses of the arts – Laurenziana and others. and Michelangelo – were formed and asserted. CRITERION 5 Florence is materially associated with events of universal importance. It was in the milieu of the Neo-Platonic Academia that the concept of the Renaissance was forged. Florence is the birthplace of modern humanism inspired by Landino, Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola and others.

The facade of Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral in the heart of the historic center of the city. A BRIEF SYNTHESIS

Florence was built on the site of an Etruscan the city and a series of bridges connects its two banks immeasurable worth. Florence had an overwhelming settlement and the later ancient Roman colony of including Ponte Vecchio and Ponte . influence on the development of architecture and the Florentia (founded in 59 BC). This Tuscan city Seven hundred years of cultural and artistic blooming fine arts, first in Italy, and then in Europe. It is within became a symbol of the Renaissance during the are tangible today in the 14th-century Cathedral of the context of Florence that the concept of the early Medici period (between the 15th and the 16th Santa Maria del Fiore, the Church of Santa Croce, the Renaissance came to be. This heritage bestows upon centuries), reaching extraordinary levels of economic Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi gallery, and the Palazzo Florence unique historical and aesthetic qualities. and cultural development. The present historic centre Pitti. The city’s history is further evident in the artistic covers 505 ha and is bounded by the remains of the works of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, city’s 14th-century walls. These walls are represented Botticelli and Michelangelo. by surviving gates, towers, and the two Medici strongholds: that of Saint John the Baptist in the north, The Historic Centre of Florence can be perceived as popularly known as “da Basso”, and the Fort of San a unique social and urban achievement, the result of Pictured above: Ponte Santa Trinita and Giorgio del located amongst the hills of the persistent and long-lasting creativity, which includes behind, Ponte Vecchio shown from Ponte La Carraia. The Ponte Vecchio is one of the south side. The Arno River runs east and west through museums, churches, buildings and artworks of most famous bridges in Florence. INTEGRITY AUTHENTICITY PROTECTION

The Historic Centre of Florence comprises all the The setting of Florence, surrounded by the Tuscan The components of the property within its 505 ha elements necessary to express its Outstanding hills and bisected by the Arno River, has remained boundary are under various private, religious, and Universal Value. Surrounded by Arnolfian walls unchanged throughout the centuries. Florentines, public ownership and subject to a number of measures that date to the 14th century, the city includes the aware of their own architectural past, have been for their protection. National provisions provide for the “quadrilatero romano,” which is made up of the able to preserve original building techniques with protection and preservation of cultural heritage (D.lgs present Piazza della Repubblica, the narrow, traditional building materials such as “pietra forte”, 42/2004), which regulates on behalf of the “Ministero cobblestone streets of the medieval city, and the “pietra serena”, plasterwork, and frescoes. The Historic dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo” all Renaissance city. Centre of Florence has safeguarded its distinguishing actions that may affect the cultural heritage of the site. characteristics, both in terms of building volume and Since 2006, the Historic Centre of Florence has a The urban environment of the historic centre remains decorations. The city has respected its medieval roots Management Plan in place naming the Municipality almost untouched and the surrounding hills provide a such as its urban form with narrow alleyways, and of Florence as the party responsible for the World perfect harmonious backdrop. This landscape maintains its Renaissance identity, exemplified by Palazzo Heritage property. its Tuscan features, adding to its value. Pitti’s imposing structure. These values are still appreciable within the historic centre, notwithstanding Moreover, within the city’s Master Plan, Florence Many of the threats to the historic centre relate to the 19th-century transformations undertaken during has put in place a tool for urban planning which the impact of mass tourism, such as urban traffic air the period in which Florence served as the capital identifies the historic centre as a place of cultural and pollution, and of the decreasing number of residents. of Italy. environmental concern. In this area, only conservation Natural disasters, specifically the risk of floods, have and restoration practices are put into action. In been identified as a threat to the cultural heritage and Unique Florentine handicraft and traditional shops in particular the Structural Plan outlines the strategies landscape. The 2006 Management Plan addresses this the historic centre are a concrete testimonial to the and innovations identified for the city’s future: it concern by defining emergency measures to be taken local past. Thus, they guarantee continuity for an foresees an improvement to living conditions for in the case of flooding. outstanding tradition perpetuating the historical residents, improvements to tourism, and initiatives to image of the city. increase awareness of the historic centre as a World Heritage property. Associated with this initiative is a building policy which controls activities in the historic centre.

The Municipality, as the party responsible for the site, has created an ad hoc office responsible for the Management Plan and to carry out tasks for the site’s conservation and development. The office identifies and develops the guidelines with other managing parties, plans the shared actions, and supervises the progress of the projects.

The Management Plan works to safeguard and conserve the urban structure and to maintain and increase the A statue in front of the Palazzo Vecchio relationship between the traditional social-economic with the building rising in the background. practices and the cultural heritage of the city. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

A street artist stands outside of Il Duomo as tourists meander in the background. MISSION STATEMENT A BRIEF HISTORY

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural UNESCO’s World Heritage mission is to: 1959 UNESCO launches an international campaign 1992 Marks the 20th Anniversary of the World Heritage Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the and collects US$80 million to save the Abu Simbel Convention, the creation of the UNESCO World identification, protection and preservation of cultural • encourage countries to sign the World Heritage temples in the Nile valley. A draft of the convention Heritage Centre, and the adoption of the cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be Convention and to ensure the protection of their on the protection of cultural heritage is prepared. landscapes category by the World Heritage Committee, of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an natural and cultural heritage; making the World Heritage Convention the first international treaty called Convention Concerning the 1962 UNESCO presents its Recommendation on international legal instrument to recognize and protect Protection of the World Cultural and Natural • encourage States Parties to the Convention to the Safeguarding of the Beauty and Character of cultural landscapes. Heritage, adopted by UNSECO in 1972. nominate sites within their national territory for Landscapes and Sites. This recommendation covers inclusion on the World Heritage List; the preservation and the restoration of the aspect 1994 The Global Strategy for a Balanced and Cultural heritage refers to monuments, groups of of natural, rural and urban landscapes and sites, Representative World Heritage List is adopted by buildings and sites with historical, aesthetic, • encourage States Parties to establish management whether natural or man-made, which have a the World Heritage Committee with the goal of archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological plans and set up reporting systems on the state of cultural or aesthetic interest or form typical achieving better regional balance and greater value. Natural heritage refers to outstanding physical, conservation of their World Heritage sites; natural surroundings. thematic diversity in the World Heritage List. biological and geological formations, habitats of It encourages the nomination of sites in threatened species of animals and plants and areas • assist States Parties in safeguarding World Heritage 1965 A White House Conference in Washington, D.C., underrepresented parts of the world and especially in with scientific, conservation or aesthetic value. sites by providing technical assistance and in 1965 called for a ‘World Heritage Trust’ to protect categories which are not yet fully represented professional training; ‘natural and scenic areas and historic sites.’ on the List.

• provide emergency assistance for World Heritage 1966 UNESCO spearheads an international campaign 1994 UNESCO launches the Young People’s sites in immediate danger; to save Venice after disastrous floods threatened participation in World Heritage Preservation and the city. Promotion Project with the aim to develop new • support States Parties’ public awareness-building educational approaches to mobilize young people in activities for World Heritage conservation; 1968 IUCN develops a proposal similar to the ‘World becoming involved in the protection and promotion Heritage Trust’ for its members. of heritage. • encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and 1972 Following a united Nations Conference on the 2002 The United Nations proclaims 2002 the natural heritage; Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweeden, in 1972 International Year for Cultural Heritage. and the work of expert groups involving IUCN, • encourage international cooperation in the ICOMOS and UNESCO, all the proposals came together 2002 To mark the 30th anniversary of the World conservation of our world’s cultural and in the Convention concerning the Protection of World Heritage Convention, UNESCO, with the help of the natural heritage. Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by Italian Government, organizes in Venice the International the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris on 16 Congress World Heritage: Shared Legacy, Common November 1972. Responsibility, with the objective to assess the past 30 years of implementation of the World Heritage 1978 First twelve sites are inscribed on the World Convention and to strengthen partnerships for World Heritage List. Heritage conservation. THE NOMINATION PROCESS

Only countries that have signed the World Heritage CRITERION 4 Be an outstanding example of a type CRITERION 10 Contain the most important and Convention, pledging to protect there natural and of building, architectural or technological ensemble significant natural habitats for in-site conservation cultural heritage, can submit nomination proposals for or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in of biological diversity, including those containing properties on their territory to be considered for human history; threatened species of outstanding universal value inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. from the point of view of science or conservation. CRITERION 5 Be an outstanding example of a The criteria for selection traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use The protection, management, authenticity and which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or integrity of properties are also important human interaction with the environment especially considerations. Since 1992 significant interactions A man makes giant bubbles for the To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be children playing in Piazza della of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out when it has become vulnerable under the impact of between people and the natural environment have Repubblica, a square frequented by of ten selection criteria. These criteria are explained in irreversible change; been recognized as cultural landscapes. artists and musicians. the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention which, besides the text CRITERION 6 Be directly or tangibly associated of the Convention, is the main working tool on World with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with Heritage. The criteria are regularly revised by the beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding Committee to reflect the evolution of the World universal significance (The Committee considers that this Heritage concept itself. criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria); Until the end of 2004, World Heritage sites were selected on the basis of six cultural and four natural criteria. CRITERION 7 Contain superlative natural With the adoption of the revised Operational Guidelines phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty for the Implementation of the World Heritage and aesthetic importance; Convention, only one set of ten criteria exists. CRITERION 8 Be outstanding examples CRITERION 1 Represent a masterpiece of human representing major stages of earth’s history, including creative genius; the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or CRITERION 2 Exhibit an important interchange of significant geomorphic or physiographic features; human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or CRITERION 9 Be outstanding examples representing technology, monumental arts, townplanning, or significant on-going ecological and biological processes landscape design; in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and CRITERION 3 Bear a unique or at least exceptional communities of plants and animals; testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; A tourist walks next to a sign featuring the work of one of Florence’s famous street artists on one of their street signs.

LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN DANGER

Armed conflict and war, earthquakes and other natural Kathmandu Valley in Nepal authorities to develop an urban conservation plan and disasters, pollution, poaching, uncontrolled urbanization The exceptional urban and architectural heritage of to adopt a strategic approach for the preservation of this and unchecked tourist development pose major problems Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur has been severely World Heritage site. to World Heritage sites. These can threaten the very affected by uncontrolled urban development. The characteristics for which a site was originally inscribed property is composed of seven Monument Zones, which, Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras on the World Heritage List. Dangers can be ‘ascertained’, since the time of inscription in 1979, have unfortunately Commercial and agricultural intrusions into the site referring to specific and proven imminent threats, or been seriously altered, resulting in a general loss of threaten the World Heritage values for which it had been ‘potential’, when a property is faced with threats which authenticity and integrity of the property as a whole. inscribed in 1982. The advancing agricultural frontier at could have negative effects on its World Heritage values. For these reasons the site was inscribed on the List of the west side of the reserve, pushed by small farmers and World Heritage in Danger in 2003. UNESCO is working cattle ranchers, is already reducing the Reserve’s forest Some illustrative cases of sites inscribed on with the Nepalese authorities to help them develop a area. The southern and western zones of the Reserve the List of World Heritage in Danger long-term management plan to conserve the remaining are subject to massive extraction of precious wood such World Heritage values of the property and adopt as the caoba. The site was thus inscribed on the List of City of Bam in the Islamic Republic of Iran corrective measures to address illegal building activities. World Heritage in Danger in 1996. An eleven-point The ancient Citadel and surrounding cultural landscape corrective action plan has been elaborated and the of the Iranian city of Bam, where 26,000 people lost Walled City of Baku in Azerbyejan management plan for Rio Platano is being carried out their lives in the earthquake of December 2003, was Representing an outstanding and rare example of with a World Heritage Fund contribution. simultaneously inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage medieval architecture at the crossroad of the many List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004. different cultures in the region, the Walled City of Baku National Parks of Garamba, Kahuzi-Biega, Important international efforts are mobilized to salvage sustained significant damage during the earthquake of Salonga, Virunga and the Okapi wildlife Reserve the cultural heritage of this devastated city. November 2000 and has been increasingly affected by in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the pressure of urban development, the absence of Since 1994, all five World Heritage sites of the DRC were Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan conservation policies and by questionable restoration inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger as a This cultural landscape was inscribed on the List of efforts. For these reasons it was inscribed on the List of result of the impact of the war and civil conflicts in World Heritage in Danger in 2003 simultaneously with World Heritage in Danger in 2003. Since then, UNESCO the Great Lakes region. In 1999, an international its inscription on the World Heritage List. The property has been working with the State Party and the Advisory safeguarding campaign was launched by UNESCO is in a fragile state of conservation considering that it has Bodies to set up a plan of action to address the together with a number of international conservation suffered from abandonment, military action and conservation issues as well as with stakeholders to NGOs to protect the habitat of endangered species such dynamite explosions. Parts of the site are inaccessible coordinate the implementation of safeguarding measures. as the mountain gorilla, the northern white rhino and due to the presence of antipersonnelmines. UNESCO, the okaaapi. This resulted in a 4-year US$3.5 million at the request of the Afghan Government, coordinates Historic Town of Zabid in Yemen emergency programme to save the five sites, funded all international efforts to safeguard and enhance The outstanding archaeological and historical heritage of by the United Nations Foundation and the Government Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, notably in Bamiyan. Zabid has seriously deteriorated in recent years. Indeed, of Belgium. In 2004, international, donors, non- 40% of its original houses have been replaced by concrete governmental organizations and the governments buildings. In 2000, at the request of the State Party, the of Belgium and Japan pledged an additional US$50 Historic Town of Zabid was inscribed on the List of million to help the Democratic Republic of the World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO is helping the local Congo rehabilitate these World Heritage parks. A cyclist traveling over the Ponte La Carraia while a group admires the Ponte SUCCESS STORIES Vecchio and the Arno in the background.

The World Heritage Convention is not only ‘words on project was thus abandoned and this World Heritage site paper’ but is above all a useful instrument for concrete was saved for the benefit of future generations. action in preserving threatened sites and endangered species. By recognizing the outstanding universal value Archaeological Site of Delphi in Greece of a site, States Parties commit to its preservation and At the time of its nomination in 1987, plans were strive to find solutions for its protection. underway to build an aluminium plant nearby the site. The Greek Government was invited to find another If a site is inscribed on the List of World Heritage in location for the plant, which it did, and Delphi took its Danger, the World Heritage Committee can take rightful place on the World Heritage List. immediate action to address the situation and this has led to many successful restorations. The World Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino in Mexico Heritage Convention is also a very powerful tool to In 1999, the World Heritage community campaigned rally international attention and actions through against a plan for enlarging an existing salt factory to international safeguarding campaigns. commercial scale in Laguna San Ignacio in El Vizciano Bay, the last pristine reproduction lagoon for the Pacific Finding solutions grey whale. The World Heritage Committee forewarned the Mexican Government of the threats posed to the Often, the World Heritage Committee and the States marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the grey whales as Parties, with the assistance of UNESCO experts and key species as well as the overall integrity of this World other partners, find solutions before a given situation Heritage site by locating saltworks inside the Sanctuary. deteriorates to an extent that would damage the site. As a result, the Mexican Government refused permission for the saltworks in March 2000. Giza Pyramids in Egypt These pyramids were threatened in 1995 by a highway Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest project near Cairo which would have seriously damaged in Kenya the values of this archaeological site. Negotiations with The nomination of this site was first referred back to the Egyptian Government resulted in a number of the State Party on the basis of findings during the alternative solutions which replaced the disputed project. evaluation that suggested there were serious threats to the site, primarily illegal logging and marijuana Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal cultivation inside the Park. The State Party responded This Park provides refuge for about 400 greater with an action plan which included provision of one-horned rhinoceros characteristic of South Asia. additional vehicles, increased patrols, community The World Heritage Committee, in the early 1990s, awareness projects, training of forest guards and a questioned the findings of the environmental impact review of the policy affecting the adjacent forest reserve. assessment of the proposed Rapti River Diversion Based on these assurances, the Committee inscribed the Project. The Asian Development Bank and the site in 1997. Today, some threats still remain but there has Government of Nepal revised the assessment and found been significant progress in the management of the site. that the River Diversion project would threaten riparian habitats critical to the rhino inside Royal Chitwan. The Successful restorations

Angkor in Cambodia One of the most important archaeological sites in efforts by both Poland and the international community, South-East Asia, Angkor Archaeological Park contains an efficient dehumidifying system was installed, and the the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Committee, at its session in December 1998, had the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. In 1993, satisfaction of removing the site from the List of World UNESCO embarked upon an ambitious plan to safeguard Heritage in Danger. and develop the historical site carried out by the Division of Cultural Heritage in close cooperation with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the united World Heritage Centre. Illicit excavation, pillaging of Republic of Tanzania archaeological sites and landmines were the main This huge crater with the largest concentration of wild problems. The World Heritage Committee, having noted animals in the world was listed as an endangered site in that these threats to the site no longer existed and that 1984 because of the overall deterioration of the site the numerous conservation and restoration activities due to the lack of management. By 1989, thanks to coordinated by UNESCO were successful, removed the continuous monitoring and technical cooperation Tourists and locals enjoying entertainment site from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004. projects, the situation had improved and the site was in the Piazza della Reppublicca. removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia The ‘pearl of the Adriatic’, dotted with beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings had withstood the passage of centuries and survived several earthquakes. In November and December 1991, when seriously damaged by artillery fire, the city was immediately included on the List of World Heritage in Danger. with UNESCO providing technical advice and financial assistance, the Croatian Government restored the facades of the Franciscan and Dominican cloisters, repaired roofs and rebuilt palaces. As a result, in December 1998, it became possible to remove the city from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland This property was inscribed in 1978 as one of the first twelve World Heritage sites. This great mine has been actively worked since the 13th century. Its 300 kilometres of galleries contain famous works of art with altars and statues sculpted in salt, all of which were seriously threatened by humidity due to the introduction of artificial ventilation at the end of the nineteenth century. The site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1989. During nine years of joint UNESCO World Heritage Centre 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France

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