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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland
Swiss World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Switzerland map · historical landmarks in Switzerland
Switzerland has 12 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 9 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1983 and 2016. This map of UNESCO sites in Switzerland 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.
Swiss World Heritage Sites range from Abbey of St Gall onwards; Abbey of St Gall was the country's first inscription, added in 1983; The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement is the most recent, listed in 2016.
4 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps and Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes. Start with Abbey of St Gall, Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe and Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 12
- Cultural
- 9
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1983
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Switzerland 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.
- BRNBern3 sites
- ACHSt. Gallen2 sites
- LUGAgno2 sites
- SOBSármellék1 site
- BZOBolzano (BZ)1 site
- GVAGeneva1 site
Keep exploring
All 12 sites in Switzerland
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey of St GallThe Convent of St Gall, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its… | 1983 | Cultural | The Convent of St Gall, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, one of the most… |
| 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. |
| Benedictine Convent of St John at MüstairThe Convent of Müstair, which stands in a valley in the Grisons, is a good example of Christian monastic renovation… | 1983 | Cultural | The Convent of Müstair, which stands in a valley in the Grisons, is a good example of Christian monastic renovation during the Carolingian period. |
| La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town PlanningThe site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking town-planning consists of two towns situated close to one another… | 2009 | Cultural | The site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking town-planning consists of two towns situated close to one another in a remote environment in the… |
| Lavaux, Vineyard TerracesThe Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the… | 2007 | Cultural | The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the Chateau de Chillon to the… |
| Old City of BerneFounded in the 12th century on a hill site surrounded by the Aare River, Berne developed over the centuries in line… | 1983 | Cultural | Founded in the 12th century on a hill site surrounded by the Aare River, Berne developed over the centuries in line with a an exceptionally coherent… |
| 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… |
| Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina LandscapesRhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss… | 2008 | Cultural | Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two passes. |
| Swiss Alps Jungfrau-AletschThe extension of the natural World Heritage property of Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn (first inscribed in 2001)… | 2001 | Natural | The extension of the natural World Heritage property of Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn (first inscribed in 2001), expands the site to the east and… |
| Swiss Tectonic Arena SardonaThe Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona in the north-eastern part of the country covers a mountainous area of 32,850 ha which… | 2008 | Natural | The Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona in the north-eastern part of the country covers a mountainous area of 32,850 ha which features seven peaks that rise… |
| 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… |
| Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of BellinzonaThe Bellinzona site consists of a group of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a… | 2000 | Cultural | The Bellinzona site consists of a group of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a rocky peak looking out over… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Switzerland
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Switzerland?
- Switzerland has 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 9 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Switzerland?
- Abbey of St Gall was inscribed in 1983. The Convent of St Gall, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, one of the most important…
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Switzerland?
- The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement, inscribed in 2016. Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a testimonial to the in.
- Which sites in Switzerland are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 12 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch and Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona.
- Which UNESCO sites in Switzerland 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 Switzerland.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Switzerland?
- The 12 UNESCO-listed sites above are Switzerland's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Abbey of St Gall (1983). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Swiss World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 12 Swiss UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.