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Spain has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1982. With 50 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.

Spain as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: May 4, 1982

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1991-1997, 2005-2009, 2017-2021

Total of Mandate Years: 14

Total of Mandates: 3

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

World Heritage Sites in Spain (50)

Cultural: 44 | Natural: 4 | Mixed: 2

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (35)

  • The Geode of Pulpí · submitted: March 17, 2025
  • Universidad Laboral de Gijón/Xixón · submitted: March 17, 2025
  • Rock engravings on the island of La Palma · submitted: March 17, 2025
  • European Paper Mills (from the era of hand-made paper) · submitted: April 11, 2024
  • Carmona’s cultural landscape · submitted: December 26, 2023
  • Sigüenza and Atienza Sweet and Salty Landscape · submitted: January 20, 2022
  • Les témoignages matériels de la construction de l’État des Pyrénées : la Co-principauté d’Andorre · submitted: January 25, 2021
  • The Hadrianic city of Italica · submitted: February 1, 2019
  • Group of Mozarabic buildings on the Iberian Peninsula · submitted: February 1, 2019
  • The Episcopal See of Egara and its pictorial decoration (5th-8th centuries) · submitted: February 1, 2019
  • The Wine in Iberia · submitted: February 5, 2018
  • Cíes Islands–Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park · submitted: February 5, 2018
  • Church of San Salvador de Valdediós · submitted: January 27, 2017
  • The Olive Grove Landscapes of Andalusia · submitted: January 27, 2017
  • Turó de la Seu Vella de Lleida · submitted: January 29, 2016
  • Monastery of Santa María de La Rábida and the Columbus Memorial Places in Huelva · submitted: January 29, 2016
  • Le Portail du Monastère de Ripoll · submitted: January 27, 2015
  • Priorat-Montsant-Siurana paysage agricole de la montagne méditerranéenne · submitted: February 7, 2014
  • La Rioja and Rioja Alavesa Vine and Wine Cultural Landscape · submitted: January 29, 2013
  • Jaén Cathedral (extension of the Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza) · submitted: January 27, 2012
  • Valle Salado de Añana · submitted: January 27, 2012
  • Plasencia - Monfragüe - Trujillo : Paysage méditerranéen · submitted: February 3, 2009
  • Mesta Livestock trails · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • Roman Ways. Itineraries of the Roman Empire · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • Ancares – Somiedo · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • Loarre Castle · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • El Ferrol of the Illustration Historical Heritage · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • Mining Historical Heritage · submitted: April 27, 2007
  • The Mediterranean Facet of the Pyrenees (France-Spain) · submitted: November 22, 2004
  • Greek Archaeological ensemble in Empúries, l'Escala, Girona · submitted: December 20, 2002
  • Romanesque Cultural Enclave in the North of Castile-Leon and the South of Cantabria · submitted: June 26, 1998
  • Bulwarked Frontier Fortifications · submitted: June 26, 1998
  • The Silver Route · submitted: June 26, 1998
  • Mediterranean Wind Mills · submitted: June 26, 1998
  • The Ribeira Sacra, Lugo and Orense · submitted: July 16, 1996

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Spain

Official Name: Kingdom of Spain

Continent: Europe

Subregion: Southern Europe

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Madrid

Population (2024): 48,807,137

Land Area: 499,730 km²

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Spain

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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