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Italy has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1978. With 61 inscribed properties, the country ranks among the leading countries worldwide in terms of World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. Some of these properties are shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Italy as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 23, 1978

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1978-1985, 1987-1993, 1993-1999, 1999-2001, 2021-2025

Total of Mandate Years: 25

Total of Mandates: 5

WHC Electoral Group: I (Western Europe/North America)

World Heritage Sites in Italy (61)

Cultural: 55 | Natural: 6 | Mixed: 0

Map of World Heritage Sites

Tentative World Heritage Sites (31)

  • Extension to the existing World Heritage Property “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” · submitted: January 16, 2026
  • Evidence of Italo-Greek Culture between the Early and Late Middle Ages · submitted: December 13, 2023
  • The system of the Ville-fattoria in Chianti Classico · submitted: April 24, 2023
  • Historical theatres of the Marche Region · submitted: November 15, 2021
  • Nuragic monuments of Sardinia · submitted: November 15, 2021
  • Eocene Marine Biodiversity of the Alpone Valley · submitted: May 21, 2021
  • Via Francigena in Italy · submitted: January 31, 2019
  • Les Alpes de la Méditerranée · submitted: January 31, 2017
  • The Cultural Landscape of Civita di Bagnoregio · submitted: January 31, 2017
  • The cultural landscape of the Benedictine settlements in medieval Italy · submitted: March 18, 2016
  • Massif du Mont-Blanc (inscription comme patrimoine naturel transfrontalier, avec France et Suisse) · submitted: January 30, 2008
  • Lake Maggiore and Lake D'Orta lakelands · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Hanbury botanical gardens · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Orvieto · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Villas of the Papal Nobility · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Salento and the "Barocco Leccese" · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Cattolica Monastery in Stilo and Basilian-Byzantine complexes · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Archipelago of La Maddalena and Islands of Bocche di Bonifacio · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Mothia Island and Lilibeo: The Phoenician-Punic Civilization in Italy · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Bradyseism in the Flegrea Area · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Cascata delle Marmore and Valnerina: Monastic sites and ancient hydrogeological reclamation works · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Pelagos: The Cetacean Sanctuary · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Island of Asinara · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Sulcis Iglesiente · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • The Marble Basin of Carrara · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • The Transhumance: The Royal Shepherd's Track · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Volterra: Historical City and Cultural Landscape · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • The Aniene valley and Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • The Murge of Altamura · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Karstic caves in prehistoric Apulia · submitted: June 1, 2006
  • Citadel of Alessandria · submitted: June 1, 2006

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Italy

Official Name: Italian Republic

Continent: Europe

Subregion: Southern Europe

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Rome

Population (2024): 58,986,023

Land Area: 295,720 km²

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Country Data Sources

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