UNESCO is the General Conference of the United Nations and was created in 1972, its main objective being to protect cultural, natural and immemorial heritage so that history is not lost! All countries have buildings, locations, monuments and culture with the UNESCO World Heritage label.
And Portugal is no different. As it is a country with so much history, so many monuments, palaces, castles and different culture, of course the country has places that carry this distinction. And there are fifteen highlighted and protected as world heritage sites. Want to know what they are? Take a look!
Convent of Christ – Tomar
The beautiful and imposing convent, built over several centuries, has a Romantic and Templar influence, with Gothic and Manueline styles, Baroque, Renaissance and Mannerism. All this mixture is due to the construction time (hundreds of years) and the influences of the time. Among the highlights are the church's famous romantic charola, with 16 faces. read more here.
Historic Center of Guimarães – Guimarães
Because it has unquestionable historical importance – after all, Portugal was born there – the historic center of this beautiful northern city is a good example of care and historical preservation. Visiting this beautiful region takes us back many centuries to the past. The highlight here, in addition to the beautiful houses and tight alleys, is the wall where history states that Portugal was born there. read more here.
University of Coimbra – Coimbra
One of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1290 by D. Dinis, has buildings of incalculable value, given the weight of its history within these walls. It was for a long time the only university in the country and has one of the most beautiful and famous libraries in the world, the Joanina library.
Batalha Monastery – Batalha
A beautiful example of Portuguese medieval architecture, the Batalha Monastery, with a strong influence from Gothic and Manueline styles, was built as a memorial to the battle of Aljubarrota. Imposing and grand, the monastery's highlights are the royal cloister and the imperfect chapels beyond, the beautiful chapter room with beautiful stained glass windows with centuries of history. read more here.
Border and Garrison City of Elvas – Elvas
Located on the border with Spain, the city of Elvas has this beautiful fort and buildings to protect the country from possible Spanish invasions. Inside, which you can visit, there is a beautiful historic center, churches, monasteries and military buildings. It is the largest and best preserved system of walls and dry moats in the world. read more here.
Historic Center of Évora – Évora
The beautiful Alentejo city had and still has a lot of importance in Portuguese history. In Évora we find the best preserved remains of the Roman presence in Portugal, the Temple of Diana, built in the city center in the 1st century. Furthermore, the city has the Chapel of Bones and the city was a royal residence for many years. In 1556 the University of Évora was created, which made the city even more important.
Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery – Lisbon
Two masterpieces of Portuguese architecture, built in the 16th century, during the reign of D. Manuel. The Belém Tower, strategically positioned in the Tagus estuary, was built for defense purposes, but its historical weight is marked by the departure of the ships of discovery. The Jerónimos Monastery is an impressive work and has a beautiful church, cloisters, a beautiful garden, the friars' refectory and the bookstore room. read more here.
Madeira Laurissilva Forest – Madeira Island
They got their name because of the dominant type of tree in the region, the laurel family. It occupies almost 20% of the island's total territory – almost 15 thousand hectares – and is the largest and most preserved forest of this type on the Atlantic islands.
Alto Douro Wine Region – Northeast Region of Porto
This is the oldest regulated wine-growing region in the world and has stunningly beautiful natural settings. Created by man centuries ago to adapt agricultural needs to the mountains and their steep terrain, it is one of the most important agricultural production areas in the country.
Historic Center of Porto – Porto
The second largest city in the country has always grown faithful to its origins and its beautiful historic center is proof of this. With beautiful architecture, with different colors and shapes, the beautiful northern city was built on hills. Among the places that attract the most attention are the Torre dos Clérigos, the Ribeira, the Cathedral and the São Bento Train Station. read more here It is here.
Prehistoric Rock Art Sites of Vale do Côa and Siega Verde – Northern Portugal
Most of the engravings are more than 10 thousand years old, dating from the Upper Paleolithic period. They are considered the most important and best preserved works of rock art in the Iberian Peninsula.
Cultural Landscape of Sintra – Sintra
Sintra, close to Lisbon, was one of the first places in Europe where romantic architecture appeared. The town of Sintra carries the “aura” of a mysterious and romantic place, largely due to its mountains and architecture. But it was in the 19th century, when D. Fernando II decided to restore an old abandoned monastery and create the imposing Palácio da Pena, that its reputation as a romantic place took hold. A mix of Gothic, Egyptian, Renaissance and Islamic styles made the palace a trademark of the village, known as one of the most romantic places in all of Europe. read more here.
Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape – Azores
Another beautiful example of man-made scenery, the vineyards of Pico Island are known for the quality of the wine produced in rocky and volcanic soil. The vines were planted in small cubicles separated by black stones of volcanic origin and form an unparalleled landscape.
Alcobaça Monastery – Alcobaça
The largest Catholic church in Portugal, with more than 40 thousand meters of built area and a facade of more than 250 meters in length. Built in the 12th century, by order of D. Afonso Henriques, the imposing monastery has medieval and Gothic influences, and was one of the first Cistercian monastic foundations in Portuguese territory.
Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo – Azores
A stopping point for those traveling to the United States, the island has many influences from the people who passed through there, whether cultural or architectural. Among the highlights are tiles, porcelain, sculpture, carvings and furniture. Among the highlights are the Cathedral, the fortresses of São Sebastião and São Filipe and the Misericórdia Church.
If you want to visit some of these places, Portugal Afora will take you there. Many of them are in our itineraries. Schedule your tour.