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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany
German World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Germany map · historical landmarks in Germany
Germany has 55 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 52 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1978 and 2025. This map of UNESCO sites in Germany covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
German World Heritage Sites range from Aachen Cathedral onwards; Aachen Cathedral was the country's first inscription, added in 1978; The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee is the most recent, listed in 2025; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations.
9 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region and Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment). Start with Aachen Cathedral, Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch and Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 55
- Cultural
- 52
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1978
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Germany shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
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Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- LEJSchkeuditz5 sites
- MHGMannheim3 sites
- KSFCalden3 sites
- BERBerlin3 sites
- STRStuttgart3 sites
- ERFErfurt3 sites
Keep exploring
All 55 sites in Germany
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aachen CathedralConstruction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. | 1978 | Cultural | Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 790–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. Originally ins. |
| Abbey and Altenmünster of LorschThe abbey, together with its monumental entrance, the famous 'Torhall', are rare architectural vestiges of the… | 1991 | Cultural | The abbey, together with its monumental entrance, the famous 'Torhall', are rare architectural vestiges of the Carolingian era. |
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the DanevirkeThe archaeological site of Hedeby consists of the remains of an emporium – or trading town – containing traces of… | 2018 | Cultural | The archaeological site of Hedeby consists of the remains of an emporium – or trading town – containing traces of roads, buildings, cemeteries and a… |
| Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and BernauBetween 1919 and 1933 the Bauhaus movement revolutionized architectural and aesthetic thinking and practice in the 20th… | 1996 | Cultural | Between 1919 and 1933 the Bauhaus movement revolutionized architectural and aesthetic thinking and practice in the 20th century. |
| Bergpark WilhelmshöheDescending a long hill dominated by a giant statue of Hercules, the monumental water displays of Wilhelmshöhe were… | 2013 | Cultural | Descending a long hill dominated by a giant statue of Hercules, the monumental water displays of Wilhelmshöhe were begun by Landgrave Carl of… |
| Berlin Modernism Housing EstatesBerlin Modernism Housing Estates. The property consists of six housing estates that testify to innovative housing… | 2008 | Cultural | Berlin Modernism Housing Estates. The property consists of six housing estates that testify to innovative housing policies from 1910 to 1933… |
| Carolingian Westwork and Civitas CorveyThe site is located along the Weser River on the outskirts of Höxter where the Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey… | 2014 | Cultural | The site is located along the Weser River on the outskirts of Höxter where the Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey were erected between AD 822… |
| Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at BrühlSet in an idyllic garden landscape, Augustusburg Castle (the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne)… | 1984 | Cultural | Set in an idyllic garden landscape, Augustusburg Castle (the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne) and the Falkenlust hunting… |
| Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian JuraModern humans first arrived in Europe 43,000 years ago during the last ice age. | 2017 | Cultural | Modern humans first arrived in Europe 43,000 years ago during the last ice age. |
| Classical WeimarIn the late 18th and early 19th centuries the small Thuringian town of Weimar witnessed a remarkable cultural… | 1998 | Cultural | In the late 18th and early 19th centuries the small Thuringian town of Weimar witnessed a remarkable cultural flowering, attracting many writers and… |
| Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of QuedlinburgQuedlinburg, in the Land of Sachsen-Anhalt, was a capital of the East Franconian German Empire at the time of the… | 1994 | Cultural | Quedlinburg, in the Land of Sachsen-Anhalt, was a capital of the East Franconian German Empire at the time of the Saxonian-Ottonian ruling dynasty. |
| Cologne CathedralBegun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until… | 1996 | Cultural | Begun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. |
| Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining RegionErzgebirge/Krušnohoří (Ore Mountains) spans a region in south-eastern Germany (Saxony) and north-western Czechia, which… | 2019 | Cultural | Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří (Ore Mountains) spans a region in south-eastern Germany (Saxony) and north-western Czechia, which contains a wealth of several… |
| Fagus Factory in AlfeldFagus Factory in Alfeld is a 10-building complex - began around 1910 to the design of Walter Gropius, which is a… | 2011 | Cultural | Fagus Factory in Alfeld is a 10-building complex - began around 1910 to the design of Walter Gropius, which is a landmark in the development of… |
| Frontiers of the Roman EmpireThe ‘Roman Limes’ represents the border line of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD. | 1987 | Cultural | The ‘Roman Limes’ represents the border line of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD. |
| Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment)It covers almost 600km of the whole Roman Empire’s Danube frontier. | 2021 | Cultural | It covers almost 600km of the whole Roman Empire’s Danube frontier. |
| Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Lower German LimesFollowing the left bank of the Lower Rhine River for approximately 400 km from the Rhenish Massif in Germany t. | 2021 | Cultural | Following the left bank of the Lower Rhine River for approximately 400 km from the Rhenish Massif in Germany t. |
| Garden Kingdom of Dessau-WörlitzThe Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz is an exceptional example of landscape design and planning of the Age of the… | 2000 | Cultural | The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz is an exceptional example of landscape design and planning of the Age of the Enlightenment, the 18th century. |
| Hanseatic City of LübeckLübeck – the former capital and Queen City of the Hanseatic League – was founded in the 12th century and prosp. | 1987 | Cultural | Lübeck – the former capital and Queen City of the Hanseatic League – was founded in the 12th century and prosp. |
| Historic Centres of Stralsund and WismarThe medieval towns of Wismar and Stralsund, on the Baltic coast of northern Germany, were major trading centres of the… | 2002 | Cultural | The medieval towns of Wismar and Stralsund, on the Baltic coast of northern Germany, were major trading centres of the Hanseatic League in the 14th… |
| Jewish-Medieval Heritage of ErfurtLocated in the medieval historic centre of Erfurt, the capital city of Thuringia, the property comprises three… | 2023 | Cultural | Located in the medieval historic centre of Erfurt, the capital city of Thuringia, the property comprises three monuments: the Old Synagogue, the… |
| Luther Memorials in Eisleben and WittenbergThese places in Saxony-Anhalt are all associated with the lives of Martin Luther and his fellow-reformer Melanchthon. | 1996 | Cultural | These places in Saxony-Anhalt are all associated with the lives of Martin Luther and his fellow-reformer Melanchthon. |
| Margravial Opera House BayreuthA masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture, built between 1745 and 1750, the Opera House is the only entirely… | 2012 | Cultural | A masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture, built between 1745 and 1750, the Opera House is the only entirely preserved example of its type where… |
| Mathildenhöhe DarmstadtThe Darmstadt Artists’ Colony on Mathildenhöhe, the highest elevation above the city of Darmstadt in west-central… | 2021 | Cultural | The Darmstadt Artists’ Colony on Mathildenhöhe, the highest elevation above the city of Darmstadt in west-central Germany, was established in 1897… |
| Maulbronn Monastery ComplexFounded in 1147, the Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery is considered the most complete and best-preserved medieva. | 1993 | Cultural | Founded in 1147, the Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery is considered the most complete and best-preserved medieva. |
| Messel Pit Fossil SiteMessel Pit is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene, between 57 million… | 1995 | Natural | Messel Pit is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene, between 57 million and 36 million years ago. |
| Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management SystemThe Upper Harz mining water management system, which lies south of the Rammelsberg mines and the town of Goslar, has… | 1992 | Cultural | The Upper Harz mining water management system, which lies south of the Rammelsberg mines and the town of Goslar, has been developed over a period of… |
| Monastic Island of ReichenauThe island of Reichenau on Lake Constance preserves the traces of the Benedictine monastery, founded in 724, which… | 2000 | Cultural | The island of Reichenau on Lake Constance preserves the traces of the Benedictine monastery, founded in 724, which exercised remarkable spiritual… |
| Moravian Church SettlementsThis transnational serial property comprises four congregational settlements in four countries representing the… | 2015 | Cultural | This transnational serial property comprises four congregational settlements in four countries representing the transnational scope and consistency… |
| Museumsinsel (Museum Island), BerlinThe museum as a social phenomenon owes its origins to the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. | 1999 | Cultural | The museum as a social phenomenon owes its origins to the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. |
| Muskauer Park / Park MużakowskiA landscaped park of 559.9 ha astride the Neisse River and the border between Poland and Germany, it was created by… | 2004 | Cultural | A landscaped park of 559.9 ha astride the Neisse River and the border between Poland and Germany, it was created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau… |
| Naumburg CathedralLocated in the eastern part of the Thuringian Basin, the Cathedral of Naumburg, whose construction began in 1028, is an… | 2018 | Cultural | Located in the eastern part of the Thuringian Basin, the Cathedral of Naumburg, whose construction began in 1028, is an outstanding testimony to… |
| Old town of Regensburg with StadtamhofLocated on the Danube River in Bavaria, this medieval town contains many buildings of exceptional quality that testify… | 2006 | Cultural | Located on the Danube River in Bavaria, this medieval town contains many buildings of exceptional quality that testify to its history as a trading… |
| Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and BerlinWith 500 ha of parks and 150 buildings constructed between 1730 and 1916, Potsdam's complex of palaces and parks forms… | 1990 | Cultural | With 500 ha of parks and 150 buildings constructed between 1730 and 1916, Potsdam's complex of palaces and parks forms an artistic whole, whose… |
| Pilgrimage Church of WiesMiraculously preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, the Church of Wies (1745–54), the work of… | 1983 | Cultural | Miraculously preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, the Church of Wies (1745–54), the work of architect Dominikus Zimmermann… |
| Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the AlpsThis serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt… | 2011 | Cultural | This serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around… |
| Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in TrierTrier, which stands on the Moselle River, was a Roman colony from the 1st century AD and then a great trading. | 1986 | Cultural | Trier, which stands on the Moselle River, was a Roman colony from the 1st century AD and then a great trading. |
| Schwerin Residence EnsembleEstablished on the shores of Lake Schwerin in northeast Germany, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble is an architectural… | 2024 | Cultural | Established on the shores of Lake Schwerin in northeast Germany, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble is an architectural and landscape ensemble, which… |
| ShUM Sites of Speyer, Worms and MainzLocated in the former Imperial cathedral cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz, in the Upper Rhine Valley, the serial site… | 2021 | Cultural | Located in the former Imperial cathedral cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz, in the Upper Rhine Valley, the serial site of Speyer, Worms and Mainz… |
| Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with ChilehausSpeicherstadt and the adjacent Kontorhaus district are two densely built urban areas in the centre of the port city of… | 2015 | Cultural | Speicherstadt and the adjacent Kontorhaus district are two densely built urban areas in the centre of the port city of Hamburg. |
| Speyer CathedralSpeyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end… | 1981 | Cultural | Speyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century. |
| St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at HildesheimSt Michael's Church was built between 1010 and 1020 on a symmetrical plan with two apses that was characteristic of… | 1985 | Cultural | St Michael's Church was built between 1010 and 1020 on a symmetrical plan with two apses that was characteristic of Ottonian Romanesque art in Old… |
| The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern MovementChosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven… | 2016 | Cultural | Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a… |
| The Great Spa Towns of EuropeThis transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien… | 2021 | Cultural | This transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium)… |
| The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and HerrenchiemseeThis serial property consists of four grand palace complexes in Bavaria’s alpine region, built under King Ludwig II… | 2025 | Cultural | This serial property consists of four grand palace complexes in Bavaria’s alpine region, built under King Ludwig II between 1868 and 1886. |
| Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of BremenThe Town Hall and the statue of Roland on the marketplace of Bremen in north-west Germany are outstanding… | 2004 | Cultural | The Town Hall and the statue of Roland on the marketplace of Bremen in north-west Germany are outstanding representations of civic autonomy and… |
| Town of BambergFrom the 10th century onwards, this town became an important link with the Slav peoples, especially those of Poland and… | 1993 | Cultural | From the 10th century onwards, this town became an important link with the Slav peoples, especially those of Poland and Pomerania. |
| Upper Middle Rhine ValleyThe 65km-stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley, with its castles, historic towns and vineyards, graphically illustrates… | 2002 | Cultural | The 65km-stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley, with its castles, historic towns and vineyards, graphically illustrates the long history of human… |
| Völklingen IronworksThe ironworks, which cover some 6 ha, dominate the city of Völklingen. | 1994 | Cultural | The ironworks, which cover some 6 ha, dominate the city of Völklingen. |
| Wadden SeaThe Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. | 2009 | Natural | The Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. |
| Wartburg CastleWartburg Castle blends superbly into its forest surroundings and is in many ways 'the ideal castle'. | 1999 | Cultural | Wartburg Castle blends superbly into its forest surroundings and is in many ways 'the ideal castle'. |
| Water Management System of AugsburgThe water management system of the city of Augsburg has evolved in successive phases from the 14th century to the… | 2019 | Cultural | The water management system of the city of Augsburg has evolved in successive phases from the 14th century to the present day. |
| Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence SquareThis magnificent Baroque palace – one of the largest and most beautiful in Germany and surrounded by wonderful gardens… | 1981 | Cultural | This magnificent Baroque palace – one of the largest and most beautiful in Germany and surrounded by wonderful gardens – was created under t. |
| Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in EssenThe Zollverein industrial complex in Land Nordrhein-Westfalen consists of the complete infrastructure of a historical… | 2001 | Cultural | The Zollverein industrial complex in Land Nordrhein-Westfalen consists of the complete infrastructure of a historical coal-mining site, with some… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Germany
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Germany?
- Germany has 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 52 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Germany?
- Aachen Cathedral was inscribed in 1978. Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 790–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. Originally ins.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Germany?
- The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee, inscribed in 2025. This serial property consists of four grand palace complexes in Bavaria’s alpine region, built under King Ludwig II between 1868 and 1886. Designed as personal.
- Which sites in Germany are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 55 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Messel Pit Fossil Site and Wadden Sea.
- Which UNESCO sites in Germany are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Germany.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Germany?
- The 55 UNESCO-listed sites above are Germany's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Aachen Cathedral (1978). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of German World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 55 German UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.