Switzerland | World Heritage Explorer

Switzerland has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1975. With 13 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. 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.

Switzerland as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 17, 1975

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1978-1985, 2009-2013, 2025-2029

Total of Mandate Years: 15

Total of Mandates: 3

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

World Heritage Sites in Switzerland (13)

Cultural: 9 | Natural: 4 | Mixed: 0

Abbey of St Gall · Cultural
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe · Natural (Transboundary)
Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair · Cultural
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning · Cultural
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces · Cultural
Monte San Giorgio · Natural (Transboundary)
Old City of Berne · Cultural
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps · Cultural (Transboundary)
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes · Cultural (Transboundary)
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch · Natural
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona · Natural
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement · Cultural (Transboundary)
Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

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

Tentative World Heritage Sites (1)

Pont sur la gorge du Salgina · submitted: January 31, 2017

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Switzerland

Official Name: Swiss Confederation

Continent: Europe

Subregion: Western Europe

UNESCO Region: Europe and North America

Capital: Bern

Population (2024): 9,034,102

Land Area: 39,510 km²

Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Switzerland

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.

Portions of this page are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset. Changes made. Original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Commission. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.