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WHC
World Heritage
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World Heritage Sites - Notable Omissions
Now we've been about a bit (in Northern Europe at least), and visited a dozen or so World Heritage Sites, we reckon that we are entitled to express some opinions of our own. So here are our nominations for future World Heritage Sites.
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The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and environs, Berlin
These monuments may not rate very highly on architectural merit (although Norman Foster's remodelling of the Reichstag goes some way to redressing this), but their historical and cultural importance is virtually unparalleled. The significance of these monuments, (what remains of) the Berlin Wall, and the associated area (eg Unter den Linden), is pretty clear to us today. Whether that remains only history will tell.
PS: Andrew would also like to make a plea for the inclusion of the (totally unrelated, but architecturally exceptional) Gendarmenmarkt group of buildings in former East Berlin.
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The 17th century Warship "Vasa", Stockholm
 This probably doesn't qualify for the WHC List, as it is a boat and not a "site" or a "building", but as a relic that illustrates important cultural, social, and technological developments, we certainly think that it meets several of the criteria.
More about the Vasa
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Canals and Cathedral Precinct, Utrecht
 We were quite impressed by Utrecht. The "sunken" canals are unique, and an important example of the importance of trade for medieval society and economy. The cathedral ("Dom") is important architecturally (especially the Dom Tower), and tells an interesting story about the relationship between the Church and society in 14th century Holland. Even in 1371 people were complaining to the Church authorities about the vanity of wasting money on a "proud and monstrous tower". Ironically, it was the nave of the cathedral that collapsed during a storm in 1674, largely because it had been built "on the cheap" through lack of public support.
Photos of Utrecht
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Speicherstadt, Hamburg
This is the 19th century wharehouse district in the freeport area of Hamburg. Individually, the architecture is pure 19th century industrial (not unlike some of the best examples in, say, Manchester), but as a whole, the district must be unique.
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Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
 As an illustration of funereal/monumental art and architecture of the past 200 [??] years, Père-Lachaise has no equal. This place has to be seen to be believed!
More photos
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La Défense, and late 20th century public buildings, Paris
Love it or hate it, La Défense is BIG, bold, and an important example of urban, spatial, and economic planning in the late 20th century. This is enhanced by the spatial relationship of the site (and the Grande Arche in particular) to the rest of the City and the other "Miterrand" projects - the Champs Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre (and Pyramid), and the Bibliothèque François-Mitterand. While these buildings are too new to qualify for (or merit) designation as World Heritage Sites, future generations may well accord them cultural and architectural significance. On the other hand, they may well be pulled-down before they have a chance to take a view. |
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