World Heritage UNESCO
Sites - Europe

World Heritage UNESCO sites are overseen by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), an agency within the United Nations whose mandate is to promote the idea of international peace through education and communication.

Formed in 1945 at the end of World War II, UNESCO created a new program in 1972 to protect and conserve sites of significance to world culture and history, including many natural wonders. The idea of creating an international organization for protecting cultural and historical landmarks began after the First World War, but it took another half-century to be put into effect.

Currently there are 878 sites on the World Heritage lists. Of these, 678 are cultural sites, 174 are natural sites, and 26 are combinations of both. The sites are located in 145 states and/or countries.

Italy is home to the largest number of number of World Heritage UNESCO Sites in Europe, with 43 sites on the list plus two in the Holy See (the Vatican). Although each site is administered by its own government, it's considered in the interests of all humanity to protect and preserve the sites.

Here is the list of World Heritage sites in Europe: