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Home , Castles of Bellinzona, Lavaux, Le Locle, Monte San Giorgio, Rhaetian Railway

of Berne Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Fountains, arcades and historic charm The network Official UNESCO World Heritage property since 1983, the Outstanding archaeological sites Old City of Berne rises majestically above a loop in the The serial of “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps” River Aare. It bears witness to the ambitious scale of of UNESCO World comprises a selection of 111 sites in six countries (D, F, urban development in medieval Europe and delights visi- I, SLO, A, CH), 56 of which are situated in . tors with its pleasant, relaxed charm. The cafés located in Thanks to their location partly or fully submerged in water, vaulted cellars are the perfect place to take a break and their remains are extremely well preserved: finds made Heritage properties the covered medieval arcades, stretching for kilometers, from stone, pottery and especially organic materials give

are simply a shopper’s paradise. © SC ittes fascinating insight into life between 5,000 and 500 BC. © Bern Tourismus G UNESCO Palaf UNESCO World Heritage properties in Switzerland. in Switzerland www.bern.com Cultural Heritage since 1983 www.palafittes.org Cultural Heritage since 2011 “World Heritage Experience Benedictine Convent of in the Switzerland” (WHES) is St John at Müstair / Bernina Landscapes the umbrella organisation for the tourist network The nuns open their doors A triumph of railway engineering of UNESCO World Heritage th Founded as a monastery by Charlemagne in the 8 century The rail line across Albula and Bernina is a master stroke properties in Switzerland. and later converted into a convent, this complex exhibits of structural engineering and route planning. Tight turns, many architectural styles as well as artistic treasures from sophisticated structures, amazing tunnels: landscape and more than 12 centuries, delighting not only archaeologists railway in the UNESCO World Heritage RhB seamlessly WHES works in partnership with tourist organi- and art historians. To this day, the convent is home to a blend into the environment. For some it is a voyage of sations to promote and coordinate high-quality, community of nuns who live according to the Benedictine discovery of the culture of trains, others enjoy seeing the unique experiences. This helps to ensure sus- © ir St ta iftu üs ng n M © tainable development of the universal values and Pr nn i ideal of prayer and work. Rh ukt trailblazing structures from up close and those eager to o Kloster St. Joha B/Landwasserviad learn visit the railway museum. Contact Us create added (tourist) value for the sites. World Heritage Experience Switzerland www.muestair.ch Cultural Heritage since 1983 www.rhb.ch/ Cultural Heritage since 2008 Spitalgasse 4 The unique experiences build on the core val- CH-3011 Bern ues of the various UNESCO natural and cultural T +41 31 544 31 15 Heritage properties. WHES works with the Swiss Three Castles of Jungfrau-Aletsch [email protected] Commission for UNESCO on promoting values www.whes.ch and knowledge. A mighty bastion A glorious world of glaciers

Bellinzona’s impressive castles are among the best sur­ The “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch“ World Heritage property viving examples of medieval military fortification. The three protects one of the world’s most spectacular mountain fortresses, linked by walls, occupy a defensive position landscapes, home to towering massifs, unspoilt valleys that has been strategically important since the Roman era. and the largest glaciated area in the Alps. The area covers Rebuilt several times over the centuries, Castelgrande, a wide range of habitats, from Mediterranean-style steppe Montebello and Sasso Corbaro have recently been restored to bare rocky mountaintop, and also reveals a long and to their full glory. fascinating human history.

© © Turismo Jungfrau Bahnen

www.bellinzonese-altoticino.ch Cultural Heritage since 2000 www.jungfraualetsch.ch Natural Heritage since 2001/2007 (extension)

La Chaux-de-Fonds / , Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Watchmaking Town Planning How mighty mountains arise Our precious Two towns that tick alike The collision of Africa and Europe resulted over millions Architecture that values light, an urban structure that of years in the formation of the Alps. Gargantuan forces propelled rock layers over one another, folding and split- Heritage facilitates transport: La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle are the result of innovative town planning in the service of ting them. At the Tectonic Arena Sardona, you can see a booming industry. The buildings tell the story of how the result of these processes clearly. The region became watchmaking evolved from a craft into an industry – and a UNESCO World Heritage property in 2008, and offers What nature has created S A T IG dramatic insights into how mountains are formed. show how this activity was integrated into the development © over thousands or millions of

© G. me of the urban landscape. Benoît à la Guillau years, and what humanity has built up over the centuries, www.watch-cities.ch Cultural Heritage since 2009 www.unesco-sardona.ch Natural Heritage since 2008 should be safeguarded.

The protection and preservation of these treas- , Vineyard Terraces Convent of St Gall ures should be in the care of all of us: this was, and remains, the central, revolutionary idea of A witness to ancient history Spirituality and beauty in harmony World Heritage. Vines have been planted here as early as the 11th century St Gall’s magnificent emblem is its sublime cathedral, on narrow terraces supported by stonewalls. Since then, which together with the Abbey District forms a historic The rescue of the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt generations of winegrowers have cultivated this exceptional ensemble that is unmatched worldwide. The famous Abbey was the first step towards the Convention con- mosaic with great care. The cultural landscape consisting Library sports the most beautiful secular Rococo interior cerning the Protection of the World cultural of fourteen villages is a remarkable reflection of how the in Switzerland. Dubbed the “Pharmacy of the Soul“, it is and natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in area was able to thrive thanks to a well-balanced interaction home to 170,000 precious books as well as 2,000 priceless 1972. More than 1,000 properties are currently between the local people and the environment. medieval manuscripts. listed as World Heritage, including eleven in

© Switzerland. © S us Ré o.ch t.Ga rism gis Colombo/diap llen-Bodensee Tou Every one of us is called upon to take care of www.lavaux-unesco.ch Cultural Heritage since 2007 www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch Cultural Heritage since 1983 our precious heritage and hand it over safely to future generations.

Monte San Giorgio www.worldheritage.ch A sea of memories

Mountains that rise like pyramids, a lake that stretches its deep blue arms and picturesque villages: the stunning beauty of ’s countryside is reason enough to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage property. Its uniqueness, however, stems from its hidden treasure – fossils dating back 240 million years. Back then Monte San Giorgio’s rocks formed a marine lagoon in a sub-­ tropical region. Today, the fossil museum in offers © Jacques Perler exciting insights into this mysterious world.

Picture: Ruedi Homberger () Picture: www.mendrisiottoturismo.ch Natural Heritage since 2003/2010 (extension) www.whes.ch www.whes.ch Genève

Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces Prehistoric PileDwellings Sion Le Locle Chaux-de-Fonds /Le La Swiss AlpsJungfrau-Aletsch Brig Neuchâtel Monte SanGiorgio Old CityofBerne Interlaken Bern Biel/Bienne Luzern Basel Bellinzona Olten Three CastlesofBellinzona Prehistoric PileDwellings Zürich St. Moritz Schaffhausen St. Gallen hein ala, Albula /, Rhaetian

Convent ofSt Convent of St Gall John atMüstair

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona

Design and layout: www.neidhart-grafik.ch — Picture: www.niklausbuergin.com