World Heritage by UNESCO in Portugal: A Guided Tour ♦ Welcome to the world of wonders! As you probably already know, Portugal is a country of many charms and magic. For that reason, all over the country there are 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are must-visit places, that will definitely make you fall in love with this magical country. Discover all of them with Secrets from Portugal!
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Portugal has only 15 sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage, but all of them have great historic relevance. From the emblematic monasteries of Jerónimos, Batalha and Alcobaça to the historical centres of Porto and Guimarães, passing through the rock engravings of the Côa Valley, there are places of great historical and cultural importance in the Portuguese territory. Not to mention the landscapes transformed by the man in the viticultural regions of the Douro Wine Region and the Island of Pico and, of course, the natural wealth of the Laurissilva Forest of Madeira.
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The list of sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage in Portugal dates back to the 20th century. It was in 1983 when Portugal was distinguished for the first time. In question was Angra do Heroísmo Historic Centre, in Azores, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, in Lisbon (those two were distinguished as just one). Batalha’s Monastery, in Lisbon, and the Convent of Christ, in Tomar, were also distinguished in the same year.
Shortly after that, Évora’s Historic Centre was also distinguished, back in 1986. Alcobaça’s Monastery, in Alcobaça, was considered World Heritage by UNESCO in 1989 and six years after that, in 1995, the cultural landscape of Sintra has also deserved a distinguishment. In the next year, 1996, Porto and its Historic Centre were considered World Heritage by UNESCO and in 1998 was the turn of rock engravings of the Côa Valley being distinguished. To end the 20th century in the most perfect way, Laurissilva Forest of Madeira was seen (and distinguished as well) by UNESCO. After that, in 2001 two more distinguishments came to Portugal: Guimarães Historic Centre and the Douro Valley.
Back in 2004, the landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture was distinguished. In 2012, Elvas Frontier Town and its fortifications got its distinguishment. To complete the list, Coimbra University was also distinguished, but in 2013.
If you want to explore further, we left you with a map with all the historical places considered World Heritage by UNESCO in Portugal. Can you guess which Portuguese place deserves the next distinction?
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♦ The World Heritage by UNESCO in Portugal: Discover all the Secrets from Portugal ♦
