12 UNESCO World Heritage sites for Switzerland

The World Heritage Committee this summer inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List the transnational serial site of “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement”. The site consists of 17 buildings spread over 7 countries: Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, India, Japan and Argentina.

The architect Le Corbusier, who was born in Switzerland in 1887 and became a French citizen in 1930, is considered one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. According to UNESCO, the buildings “are a testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past.” They were built over a period of 40 years, from 1920 to 1960.

Two Swiss buildings are included in the list:

• Immeuble Clarté, rue Saint-Laurent 2-4, Geneva, 1930-1932
• Petite maison au bord du lac Léman, Corseaux, Vaud, 1923-1924

This new addition brings to 12 the total sites of the UNESCO World Heritage in Switzerland. The other 11 are:

• Old City of Berne
• Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair
• Convent of St Gall
• Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market Town of Bellinzona
• Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
• Monte San Giorgio
• Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
• Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
•   Rhaetian Railway in the Albula - Bernina Landscapes
• La Chaux-de-Fonds - Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
• Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps

They are fascinating places with exceptional universal value: 3 outstanding natural phenomena and 9 magnificent cultural achievements.

They are worth a visit!

Photo credit: Romano1246 via wikimedia.org