National heritage site

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For the 1981 Spanish film, see National Heritage (film).

Emblem of the International Committee of the Blue Shield that uses the protection logo of the Hague
Convention of 1954.

Emblem of the Roerich Pact of 1935.

A national heritage site is a heritage site having a value that has been registered by a
governmental agency as being of national importance to the cultural heritage or
history of that country. Usually such sites are listed in a heritage register that is open
to the public, and many are advertised by national visitor bureaus as tourist
attractions.
Usually such a heritage register list is split by type of feature (natural wonder, ruin,
engineering marvel, etc.). In many cases a country may maintain more than one
register; there are also registers for entities that span more than one country.

History of national heritage listingEdit

Each country has its own national heritage list and naming conventions. Sites can be
added to a list, and are occasionally removed and even destroyed for economic or
other reasons. The concept of protecting and taking pride in cultural heritage is
something that goes back to the Seven Wonders of the World, but usually it is only
after destruction, especially mass destruction in times of war, that new lists are drawn
up or revisited. Many countries acknowledge under UNESCO their designation of
objects considered to be worthy of having importance to the entire world or world
heritage. These listings also acknowledge the need for a separate list of objects judged
part of their own unique cultural heritage. The concept of a national heritage site can
be split into many types, each type having its own unique list.
Two major types of cultural heritage are "immoveable" and "moveable" objects.
Immoveable objects are usually buildings, locations such as gardens or areas such as
city districts. Small moveable objects may include old books or artworks, large
moveable objects may include automobiles, aircraft and ships.

In the case of a national heritage site in a populated area, monitoring and protection
may be under the jurisdiction of a fire department or local police department, whereas
more remote sites may be under the protection of a central conservation agency.
Legal aspectsEdit
Most countries have passed laws to protect national heritage sites, with various
classifications for owners. In Europe, many countries uphold the Venice Charter of
1964 though each country's name and criteria for protection, may change.
UNESCO World Heritage listsEdit
Main article: World Heritage Site

The UNESCO keeps a list of heritage sites per country that are considered
internationally important.[1] These sites are almost always also on the national
heritage register of the site's country.
See also
References