List of World Heritage Sites in Italy

A map of italy with dots indicating World Heritage Sites
Palù di Livenza – Santissima
Palù di Livenza – Santissima
Lavagnone
Lavagnone
San Sivino, Gabbiano
San Sivino, Gabbiano
Lugana Vecchia
Lugana Vecchia
Lucone
Lucone
Lagazzi del Vho
Lagazzi del Vho
Bande - Corte Carpani
Bande - Corte Carpani
Castellaro Lagusello - Fondo Tacoli
Castellaro Lagusello - Fondo Tacoli
Isolino Virginia-Camilla-Isola di San Biagio
Isolino Virginia-Camilla-Isola di San Biagio
Bodio centrale o delle Monete
Bodio centrale o delle Monete
Il Sabbione o settentrionale
Il Sabbione o settentrionale
VI.1-Emissario
VI.1-Emissario
Mercurago
Mercurago
Molina di Ledro
Molina di Ledro
Fiavé-Lago Carera
Fiavé-Lago Carera
Belvedere
Belvedere
Frassino
Frassino
Tombola
Tombola
Laghetto della Costa
Laghetto della Costa
Valle Cervara
Valle Cervara
Selva Moricento
Selva Moricento
Coppo del Morto
Coppo del Morto
Coppo del Principe
Coppo del Principe
Val Fondillo
Val Fondillo
Cozzo Ferriero
Cozzo Ferriero
Pollinello
Pollinello
Valle Infernale
Valle Infernale
Falascone
Falascone
Pavari-Sfilzi
Pavari-Sfilzi
Monte Cimino
Monte Cimino
Monte Raschio
Monte Raschio
Sasso Fratino
Sasso Fratino
Alta Valle secchia
Alta Valle secchia
Bassa collina reggiana
Bassa collina reggiana
Gessi di Zola predosa
Gessi di Zola predosa
Gessi Bolognesi
Gessi Bolognesi
Vena del Gesso Romagnola - M.te Penzola
Vena del Gesso Romagnola - M.te Penzola
Vena del Gesso Romagnola - M.te Casino
Vena del Gesso Romagnola - M.te Casino
Vena del Gesso Romagnola – M.te Mauro
Vena del Gesso Romagnola – M.te Mauro
Evaporiti di san Leo
Evaporiti di san Leo
Gessi di onferno
Gessi di onferno
Location of World Heritage Sites in Italy. The green dots indicate the Pile dwelling settlements (19 locations), pink dots indicate the Ancient beech forests (13 locations), orange dots indicate the Evaporitic Karsts (nine locations).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.[2] Italy ratified the convention on June 23, 1978.[3]

As of 2023, Italy has 59 listed sites, making it the state party with the most World Heritage Sites, just above China (57).[3][4] The first site in Italy, the Rock Drawings in Valcamonica, was listed at the 3rd Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Cairo and Luxor, Egypt, in 1979.[5] Twenty-five Italian sites were added during the 1990s, including 10 sites added at the 21st session held in Naples in 1997. Italy has served as a member of the World Heritage Committee five times, 1978–1985, 1987–1993, 1993–1999, 1999–2001, and 2021–2025.[3]

Out of Italy's 59 heritage sites, 53 are cultural and 6 are natural.[3] Seven sites are transnational. The Historic Centre of Rome is shared with the Vatican; the Monte San Giorgio and Rhaetian Railway with Switzerland; the Venetian Works of Defence with Croatia and Montenegro; the Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps with 5 other countries; The Great Spa Towns of Europe with 6 other countries; and the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe are shared with 17 other countries. In addition, Italy has 31 sites on the tentative list.[3]

  1. ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Italy". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "World Heritage List". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  5. ^ "Report of the Rapporteur". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. November 30, 1979. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2014.