Astronomical observatories included in the UNESCO World Heritage List

Abstract

The article analyses the World Heritage Center activities in the implementation of the pilot project "Astronomy and World Heritage. Thematic Initiative", which was launched in 2003. As part of this project, in 2010, 2019 and in 2021 five objects, related to the astronomical heritage were added to the World Heritage List. However, a detailed study of the UNESCO World Heritage List shows, that it already contains astronomical heritage objects (usually historical observatories), which fit there as part of complex nominations, for example, centers of historical cities or groups of architectural structures, concentrated on historical and cultural territory. Examples of astronomical heritage sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List are described.