What is world natural and cultural heritage. Heritage as historical memory

Every year on March 3rd World Wildlife Day is celebrated. The date was not chosen by chance: on this day in 1973 the Convention on international trade species of wild fauna and flora. World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and beauty of the world around us.

To preserve and enhance not only cultural, but also natural resources planet, in 1972 UNESCO created the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the main objective which is to make known and protect objects that are unique in their kind. There are now more than a thousand objects on the list.

All the variety world heritage is divided into three conditional groups: cultural, natural and cultural-natural objects. On the territory of Russia in currently There are 26 monuments, 10 of which are unique natural objects.

Virgin forests of Komi

The virgin forests of Komi were the first to be included in the list of World Natural Heritage in Russia. This is a huge and almost untouched natural area located in the northeast of the Komi Republic. The local forests mainly contain spruce, pine, fir, as well as several types of birch, larch and cedar.

This facility includes one of the oldest in Russia Pechora-Ilychsky nature reserve, located on the western slopes of the Northern Urals, and national park"Yugyd va." In general, this entire extended protected area plays a huge role in stabilizing the state of the environment. natural environment. In addition, the pristine nature of the reserve and park is of interest to archaeologists and paleontologists.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are six separate areas that are located in the east, center and south of the peninsula. Together they reflect almost all the main landscapes of Kamchatka, but at the same time, each of them also has a bright individuality. In total, there are about 30 active and 300 extinct volcanoes.

The boundaries of this UNESCO monument include the Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve (a unique picturesque mountainous area that includes 26 volcanoes), the little-developed high-mountain Bystrinsky Natural Park, the Klyuchevskoy Natural Park with the Klyuchevskaya Sopka - the highest active volcano in Eurasia - and the Nalychevo Natural Park. The latter includes the famous Nalychevo resort area, where there are about 200 healing springs of thermal and mineral waters.

Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is one of the largest natural world heritage sites. This is the oldest freshwater body of water on our planet - its age is usually estimated at 25 million years, and also the most deep lake world - its maximum depth is 1620 meters. In addition, Baikal contains approximately 20% of all world reserves fresh water. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings attract tourists from all over Russia and from many countries of the world.

Golden Mountains of Altai

In the area where the territories of the four largest states of Eurasia - Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia - converge, are located the Golden Mountains of Altai, one of the most significant mountain systems Central Asia and Southern Siberia.

Here you can see a wide variety of landscapes - from steppes and taiga to mountain tundras and glaciers. The area is dominated by the double-headed Belukha Mountain, covered with a cap of eternal snow and ice. It reaches 4506 meters in height and is the highest point not only in Altai, but throughout Siberia. And to the west of Belukha, dozens of mountain glaciers are concentrated.

Western Caucasus

The Western Caucasus is a natural massif located in the western part of the Greater Caucasus, approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Sochi. More than 6 thousand species of plants and animals have been recorded in this territory, which makes it a unique center of biodiversity not only on the scale of the Caucasus, but also in Eurasia.

Several tourist routes have been laid across the territory of the reserve, equipped observation decks, a natural museum has been created. The most visited place is the Krasnaya Polyana area, located near southern borders reserve.

Central Sikhote-Alin

This most valuable mountain and forest area is located in the south of the Russian Far East. Here you can see narrow intermountain valleys through which small but fast rapids rivers flow; soaring mountains and rocky cliffs, sometimes plummeting into the waters of the Sea of Japan. Thanks to local humid climate Dense forests have formed here, recognized as one of the richest and most original in species composition in the entire Northern Hemisphere.

Ubsunur Basin

Ubsunur is a fairly large shallow salt lake located in the western part of a vast and closed intermountain basin. The northern part of this basin is located on the territory of Russia (Tuva), and the southern part is on the territory of Mongolia. The World Heritage Site itself consists of 12 separate sites, seven of which are located in Russia.

All areas are located in different parts drainage basin lakes Ubsunur, therefore they differ markedly from each other in natural conditions and, in general, represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Central Asia. In addition, cultural heritage monuments were found in the basin: ancient burials, rock paintings, stone sculptures.

Wrangel Island

The area of Wrangel Island is the northernmost among the World Natural Heritage sites, it is located approximately 500 kilometers above the border of the Arctic Circle, at 71 degrees northern latitude. In addition to Wrangel Island, the object includes Herald Island, located 70 kilometers to the east, as well as the adjacent waters of the East Siberian and Chukchi seas.

The island itself is valuable because it represents a distinctly autonomous ecosystem that has developed in complete isolation over the past 50 thousand years, starting from the time when the island began to separate from the mainland. In addition, this territory is characterized by exceptional biological diversity for the Arctic, with a number of rare and endangered species found here.

Putorana Plateau

The boundaries of this object coincide with the boundaries of the Putorana State Nature Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle. The World Heritage portion of this plateau contains a full range of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest-tundra, tundra and arctic deserts, as well as a pristine lake with cold water And river systems.

Natural Park "Lena Pillars"

The Lena Pillars are rock formations of rare beauty that reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with debris rock. On the territory of the site there are remains of many different species. different types Cambrian period.

The material was prepared by the site editors

Cultural heritage- an important part of the life of every people. For this reason, you should know what cultural heritage is and why its preservation is so important. It helps to better learn and understand the history of the formation modern society.

What is cultural heritage

Nature and culture together form the human environment. The skills and knowledge acquired by humanity since the beginning of time accumulate and multiply over the centuries, forming a cultural heritage. There is no single definition of what cultural heritage is, since this term is viewed from different points of view.

From the point of view of cultural studies, this is the main way of existence of culture. Heritage sites preserve and transmit to subsequent generations the values that carry emotional aspect. History considers cultural heritage primarily as a source of information about the development and formation of modern society. The legal point of view does not take into account emotional value, but determines the degree of information content and demand for a particular object, as well as its ability to influence society.

If we combine these concepts, then cultural heritage can be defined as a set of tangible and intangible values created by nature and man during previous historical eras.

Social memory

Social memory should be understood as the basis of social cognition. The experience and knowledge accumulated by humanity are passed on from generation to generation. The development of modern man is possible only by relying on the knowledge of his ancestors.

Cultural heritage and social memory are concepts that always accompany each other. Heritage sites are the primary means of transmitting knowledge, thoughts and worldviews to future generations. This is irrefutable evidence of the existence of certain people, events and ideas. In addition, they guarantee the reliability of social memory, preventing it from being distorted.

Social memory is a kind of library where all useful knowledge is stored that can be used and improved by society in the future. Unlike the memory of one person, social memory has no end and belongs to every member of society. Ultimately, heritage determines the basic elements of social memory. Those values that are not part of the cultural heritage sooner or later lose their meaning, are forgotten and excluded from social memory.

UNESCO Organization

UNESCO is a United Nations agency dedicated to education, science and culture (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). One of the goals of UNESCO is to unite countries and peoples to preserve world cultural values.

The organization was formed in November 1945 and is based in Paris. Today, more than two hundred states are members of UNESCO.

In the field of culture, the organization is engaged in the preservation and protection of the cultural and natural heritage of humanity. The basis for this area of activity was the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972. During the first session, the main provisions and tasks of the World Heritage Committee were adopted.

The Committee also determined natural and cultural criteria for assessing objects, according to which they were included or not included in the list of protected areas. Preservation of cultural heritage is an obligation assumed by the state that owns this or that object, with the support of UNESCO. Today the register includes more than a thousand protected objects.

World Heritage

The 1972 Convention gave a clear definition of what cultural heritage is and divided it into categories. Cultural heritage should be understood as:

monuments;
ensembles;
places of interest.

Monuments include all works of art (painting, sculpture, etc.), as well as objects of archaeological significance (rock inscriptions, burials) created by man and valuable for science, history and art. Ensembles are architectural groups that are harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape. Places of interest are understood as human creations separately from nature or together with it.

The Convention also outlined criteria for natural heritage. It includes natural monuments, places of interest, geological and physiographic formations.

Cultural heritage of Russia

To date, twenty-seven objects located on Russian territory are included in the World Heritage Register. Sixteen of them were selected according to cultural criteria and eleven were natural objects. The first sites were designated a World Heritage Site in 1990. Twenty-three more sites are on the candidate list. Of these, eleven are cultural, three are natural-cultural, nine are natural objects.

Among UNESCO member states, the Russian Federation is in ninth place in terms of the number of World Heritage sites.

Days of cultural heritage in Moscow - International Day for the Preservation of Monuments and Sites (celebrated on April 18) and International Museum Day (May 18). Every year on these days in Moscow free access to heritage sites is opened, excursions, quests, and lectures are organized. All these events are aimed at popularizing cultural values and familiarizing them with them.

Legal aspect

The Federal Law (FL) on cultural heritage objects was adopted State Duma Russian Federation in 2002. This law defines the preservation of cultural heritage as a priority task of the authorities. The law also establishes the procedure for identifying heritage sites and including them in the register.

IN this register includes tangible and intangible cultural assets that have undergone expert verification. Each object included in the register is assigned a registration number and passport. The passport contains detailed characteristics of the object: name, date of origin, photographic materials, description, location information. The passport also reflects data on the expert assessment of the object and the conditions for protecting the object.

According to the Federal Law on Cultural Heritage Objects, cultural values are recognized as the property of the state. In this regard, the need has been declared for their preservation, as well as the popularization and provision of accessibility to heritage sites. The law prohibits alteration and demolition of objects. Cultural heritage management is a set of measures aimed at controlling, preserving and developing cultural objects.

Natural objects of Russia

There are ten sites included in the World Heritage Sites on the territory of the Russian Federation. Six of them, according to the UNESCO classification, should be considered a phenomenon of exceptional beauty. One of these objects is Lake Baikal. This is one of the oldest freshwater formations on the planet. Thanks to this, a unique ecosystem has formed in the lake.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are also natural phenomena. This formation is the largest cluster of active volcanoes. The area is constantly developing and has unique landscapes. The Golden Altai Mountains are unique in their geographical features. The total area of this heritage site occupies one million six hundred and forty thousand hectares. This is a habitat for rare animals, some of which are on the verge of extinction.

Cultural sites of Russia

Among the objects that represent the cultural heritage of Russia, it is difficult to single out more significant exhibits. The culture of Russia is ancient and very diverse. These are monuments to Russian architecture, and a colossal project of interweaving streets and canals of St. Petersburg, and numerous monasteries, cathedrals and kremlins.

The Moscow Kremlin occupies a special place among heritage sites. The walls of the Moscow Kremlin bear witness to many historical events influencing the life of Russia. St. Basil's Cathedral, located on Red Square, is a unique masterpiece of architecture. The main part of the World Heritage in Russia are churches and monasteries. Among them is the Solovetsky Islands ensemble, the first settlement of which dates back to the fifth century BC.

The importance of cultural heritage

The importance of cultural heritage is very great both for society as a whole and for each person individually. Personality formation is impossible without knowledge of the traditions and experience of ancestors. Preserving heritage sites and enhancing them is an important task for each generation. This ensures the spiritual growth and development of humanity. Cultural heritage is an important component of culture, which helps to assimilate the experience of world history.

Ten natural sites of the Russian Federation are on the UNESCO World Heritage List (4 of them are recognized as natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance), and this is not counting another 15 sites that are cultural sites protection. This is not at all surprising, because Russia is a truly vast country, with huge territory, with incredibly beautiful and diverse nature, with a rich cultural heritage.

If you want to see the pristine nature of Russia in its pristine form, then Russians (and foreign tourists too) will have no difficulty going to one of the country’s natural reserves or national parks, on whose territory these ten objects in need of permanent protection on the international level…

1. Forests of the Komi Republic

The area of these forests is more than 3 million hectares, on which a national park and a state biosphere reserve are located. This facility opened a new page for Russia in environmental protection at the global level.

The virgin forests of Komi are known as the largest intact forests growing in Europe. They cover an area of 32,600 square kilometers in the north of the Ural Mountains, within the Pechero-Ilychsky Nature Reserve and the Yugyd Va National Park. In terms of their composition, Komi forests belong to the taiga ecosystem. They are dominated by coniferous trees. West Side forests are in the foothills area, the eastern part is in the mountains themselves. The Komi forest is distinguished by the diversity of not only flora, but also fauna. More than two hundred species of birds live here, There are 40 species of rare mammals, and the reservoirs are home to 16 species of fish, which are considered valuable for fishing, preserved since ice age. For example, such fish species include Siberian grayling and palia char. Many inhabitants of the virgin forests of Komi are listed in the Red Book of the Planet. This natural site of the Russian Federation was included in the UNESCO list in 1995 - the very first on the list.

2. Lake Baikal

For the whole world, Baikal is a lake, for the residents of Russia, who are in love with a unique natural object, Baikal is a sea! Located in Eastern Siberia, it is the deepest lake on the planet and, at the same time, the largest natural reservoir of fresh water by volume. The shape of Baikal looks like a crescent. The maximum depth of the lake is 1642 meters with an average depth of 744. Baikal contains 19 percent of all fresh water on the planet. The lake is fed by more than three hundred rivers and streams. Baikal water is different high content oxygen. Its temperature rarely exceeds plus 8-9 degrees Celsius even in summer in the surface area. The water of the lake is so clean and transparent that it allows you to see at a depth of up to forty meters.

Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest (approximately 1,700 meters) on Earth, covers an area of over three million hectares. The reservoir, which appeared about 25 million years ago, was in almost complete isolation, thanks to which an amazing ecosystem was formed in its fresh waters, the study of which allows us to obtain information about the evolutionary processes taking place on the planet.

Unique even on a global scale, the lake contains about 20% of all available reserves of essential fresh water on Earth, as well as a delightful spectacle, inspiring with beauty and captivating with the luxury of amazing landscapes.

Lake Baikal was named a beautiful pearl by UNESCO in 1996 and included in the list of priceless heritages of the planet.

3. Kamchatka volcanoes .

This site was also included in the World Heritage List in 1996. Five years later (in 2001), the territory of the object subject to international protection expanded due to the movement lithospheric plates Pacific volcanic ring. Today, the territory of the state biosphere reserve is about 4 million hectares. This area is called the “natural museum of volcanology.” Both long-extinct and active volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula can serve as exhibits. Moreover, each of the “exhibits” is an individual object, for which a lifetime would not be enough to study.

In total, there are currently about 300 extinct volcanoes and 30 active volcanoes on the territory of this object, but the number of the latter changes every year. The most interesting attraction for tourists in this region is the Valley of Geysers in the Konotsky Biosphere Reserve. The mountain rivers of Kamchatka abound with huge numbers of salmon fish, and the coastal waters are home to many species of whales and dolphins.

4. Altai Mountains

These mountains are called “Golden”, since every species of animal, bird and fish here is unique. Altai cedar forests and mammals with the most valuable commercial fur, which can be equated in value with gold, have been preserved here. The site covers an area of more than 1.5 million hectares and was included in the UNESCO list in 1998. The “golden” Altai Mountains are located at the intersection of the mountain systems of Siberia and Central Asia.

The vegetation of this region is unique; there is an abundance of alpine meadows, steppes, semi-deserts and tundra. Absolutely everything is unique here, from snow leopards to mountain landforms. Pearl Altai Territory called Lake Teletskoye, which is also called “Small Baikal”.

5. Natural Park “Lena Pillars”

The fabulously beautiful landscapes of the park are formed by hundred-meter rock formations that pacify the waters of the beautiful Lena River. The Lena Pillars are located in the very heart of Sakha (Republic of Yakutia).

So surprising with its appearance natural phenomenon owes to the continental climate, temperature fluctuations within which reach about one hundred degrees (+40 degrees in summer and -60 degrees in winter). The pillars are separated by deep ravines with steep slopes. Their formation occurred under the influence of water, which contributed to soil freezing and weathering. Such processes led to the fact that the ravines deepened and widened. In this case, water plays the role of a destroyer, posing a danger to the pillars.

The Lena Pillars, included in the list of world heritage in 2012, are of interest not only from the point of view of an aesthetic spectacle; it is also a unique archaeological zone, on the territory of which the remains of ancient animals of the Cambrian period were discovered.

This natural site has an area of 1.27 million hectares. If we take into account the geological structure of the soil in the park, then this land can “tell” a lot about the history of the development of the planet, about living organisms and vegetation.

Many remains of mammoths, bison, woolly rhinoceroses, Lena horses, reindeer and other remains of ancient mammals. Today the complex is home to 12 representatives of animals and birds listed in the Red Book of the Planet. It is believed that the Lena Pillars have a huge “aesthetic influence” on people due to their unique beauty of landscapes, bizarre terrain with huge caves, fabulous-looking stone sculptures, rocky spiers, niches and “towers”.

6. Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve

This territory, included in the UNESCO list in 2001, covers an area of about 0.4 million hectares. The object is valuable because unique broad-leaved forests and ancient coniferous forests. There is also an incredible mix of flora and fauna, including many rare species.

A large biosphere reserve in the Primorsky Territory was originally created to preserve the sable population. Currently, it represents the most convenient place for observing the life of the Amur tiger. A huge number of plants grow on the territory of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. More than a thousand higher species, more than a hundred - mosses, about four hundred - lichens, more than six hundred species of algae and more than five hundred - fungi.

The local fauna is represented by a large number of birds, marine invertebrates and insects. Many plants, birds, animals and insects are protected species. Schisandra chinensis,ginseng,rhododendron Fori and edelweiss Palibina, spotted deer and Himalayan bear, black crane and stork, Japanese starling, Sakhalin sturgeon, fish owl and swallowtail butterfly - they all found shelter in the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve.

7. Natural complex Wrangel Island Nature Reserve

The protected area, which was added to the list of UNESCO treasures in 2004, is located beyond the Arctic Circle. It includes the relief landscapes of Wrangel Island, whose area is over 7 thousand square meters. kilometers, and Herald Island, whose area is 11 thousand square meters. kilometers, as well as the coastal waters of the East Siberian Sea and the waters of the Chukchi Sea.

This region managed to avoid glaciation, thanks to which the area is characterized by amazing biological diversity. The harsh climate of the protected area attracted walruses, who formed the largest rookery in the Arctic here. Polar bears have also taken a liking to the picturesque land; the density of their dens in this region is considered to be the highest on the planet.

Over fifty species of birds nest here, some of which are endemic and endangered. Gray whales rush here, choosing this place for feeding. Surprisingly, over four hundred species of vascular plants are found on the island, among which there are also endemics.

Here tourists can see the largest bird colonies in the eastern Arctic. Relics of the Pleistocene predominate among plant forms. The landscape of the island is unusual, as is its water area. Many travelers dream of visiting here.

8. Ubsunur Basin

The area of this unique biosphere reserve is 0.8 million hectares. The object was included in the UNESCO list in 2003. A salt lake with a large area is located on the border of Mongolia and Russian Republic Tyva. By the way, on the territory of Russia there are only seven sections of the intermountain basin with a shallow lake (up to 15 meters), the remaining five parts of the Transboundary Site are located in Mongolia. Each of the seven sections of the basin on our territory is individual in appearance and the plants that grow there depending on the landscape.

Inhabitant of the Ubsunur Basin

ZHere you can see the foothills with eternal areas of snow-capped peaks, there are also areas of mountain taiga, alpine meadows, wetlands, mountain tundra and even sandy deserts. The remnant mountains with bright vegetation and contrasting landscapes make the Ubsunur basin especially picturesque. Endangered species of animals are found here - mountain sheep - argali, snow leopard, as well as many rare species of birds - geese, herons, terns, gulls, waders, etc. During excavations of ancient mounds on the territory of the basin, unique rock paintings, burials and stone sculptures were discovered .

9. Putorana Plateau

Included in the World Heritage List in 2010, this natural site of the Russian Federation has a total area of more than 1.8 million hectares. This virgin basalt plateau in the north of Eastern Siberia, almost at the Arctic Circle, is invaluable for study by geologists and geomorphologists. The mountainous terrain has a stepped landscape, with flat-topped massifs intersected by deep canyons. The plateau was formed at the boundary of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic as a result volcanic activity. Forty-layer deposits make it possible to study the structure of the planet.

Deep cracks in the plateau were formed by glaciers, which were subsequently filled with water, forming lakes with a unique appearance and a depth of up to 400 meters. There are many beautiful waterfalls on the plateau, one of which (in the valley of the Kanda River) has a height of 108 meters. In total, on the territory of the Putorana Plateau there are 25 thousand small and large lakes with a huge supply of fresh water. There are more than 30 species of mammals in this northern reserve and all of them are rare or relict.

The vegetation is represented by 400 species - mainly open forest, mountain tundra and larch taiga. The plateau serves as a resting place for thousands of species of migratory birds.

The picturesque landscapes of the beautiful plateau coincide with the boundaries of the reserve of the same name located beyond the Arctic Circle, which adorns the territory of Central Siberia. The changing zones give a special charm to the area: virgin taiga, rich forest-tundra, colorful landscapes of the tundra and the fabulous beauty of the icy Arctic deserts. A real decoration of the plateau: curly ribbons of rivers and a crystal lake saucer filled with clean cold water. A road along which deer migrate runs through the inhospitable lands of the plateau. This is an incredible spectacle, which can be observed less and less in nature.

10. Territories of the Western Caucasus

The natural reserve with an area of 0.3 million hectares has been included in the UNESCO list since 1999. These territories are almost untouched by human civilization. Today they are under the protection not only of UNESCO, but also of other all-Russian and international organizations - Greenpeace, Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, NABU, Dresden Technical University, working group“North Caucasus”, etc. The territory of the reserve covers areas that stretch from the upper reaches of the Kuban River to the Belaya and Malaya Laba rivers..

Caucasus. Blooming rhododendron in the Upper Mzymta valley

The vegetation in this protected region is represented by coniferous and deciduous forests, crooked forests, mountain meadows, nival belt. Every third plant here is considered relict. Rare species of birds of prey nest here - ospreys, bearded vultures, golden eagles, griffon vultures, etc. Among the large animals in the reserve you can see Western Caucasian tigers, brown bears, wolves, Caucasian red deer, bison, etc. Tourists will be interested to see the beautiful karst formations in this natural area with deep gorges, waterfalls, underground rivers, tarns, moraines, cirques and valleys formed by mountain glaciers.

11. Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is a sand spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The Curonian Spit is a narrow and long saber-shaped strip of land separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and stretching from the city of Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region to the city of Klaipeda (Smiltyne) (Lithuania).

The length is 98 kilometers, the width ranges from 400 meters (in the area of the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (in the area of \u200b\u200bCape Bulviko, just north of Nida).

The Curonian Spit is a unique natural-anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic value: The Curonian Spit is the largest sand body that is part of the Baltic sand spit complex, which has no analogues in the world. The high level of biological diversity due to the combination of different landscapes - from desert (dunes) to tundra (raised bog) - provides insight into important and long-term ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. The location of the spit and its relief are unique.

The most significant element of the spit's relief is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3-1.0 km wide, some of them approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m).

The Curonian Spit contains natural habitats that are the most representative and important for the conservation of biological diversity, including those where endangered species are preserved with outstanding global significance from the point of view of science and nature conservation: thanks to its geographical location and oriented from northeast to southwest, it serves as a corridor for migratory birds of many species flying from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year in spring and autumn, from 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, a significant part of which stop here to rest and feed.

IN last entry did not place all the architectural objects of Russia, noted by UNESCO for their uniqueness and historical value. Today I will add to this list...

12. Citadel, old town and fortifications of Derbent .

The citadel, old town and fortifications of Derbent is the collective name under which UNESCO in 2003 included the medieval architectural heritage of the city of Derbent on the list of World Heritage Sites.

The history of ancient Derbent, located off the coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of modern Dagestan, dates back, according to archaeologists, five thousand years. This one is one of ancient cities Russia at first was a small settlement founded at the foot of the spurs Caucasus Mountains, which subsequently acquired city fortifications of impressive size.

However, the first documentary evidence of this place as a large city dates back to the 5th century. At this time, the Persian king Yazdegerd II ruled here, who appreciated its strategic location. This, by the way, is reflected in the name, because Derbent translated from Iranian means “mountain outpost” or “mountain pass”. About 100 years later, another king, on the remains of previous defensive structures, erected a fortified city, which is called Old, with an impregnable fortress and powerful fortifications. Between these fortifications, stretching more than 40 kilometers deep into the Caucasus Mountains, a city emerged that still retains its medieval character.

Citadel of Nara-kala

It continued to be a strategically important place until the 19th century. Derbent has experienced many dramatic events throughout the history of its existence: wars, assaults, periods of decline and prosperity, times of independence and subjugation to other nations. But still, this place has preserved many monuments from all these turbulent periods.

This: the Naryn-Kala citadel, with thick and high walls, the ruins of the palace of the Derbent Khan, baths and a guardhouse;

13. Struve geodetic arc

The Struve Arc is a network of 265 triangulation points, which were stone cubes embedded in the ground with an edge length of 2 meters, with a length of more than 2820 kilometers. It was created to determine the parameters of the Earth, its shape and size. Named after its creator, the Russian astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (Vasily Yakovlevich Struve).

The Struve geodetic arc was measured by Struve and the staff of the Dorpat (Tartu) and Pulkovo observatories (of which Struve was the director) over 40 years, from 1816 to 1855, over a distance of 2820 km from Fuglenes near the North Cape in Norway (latitude 70° 40′11″N) to the village of Staraya Nekrasovka, Odessa region, near the Danube (latitude 45° 20′03″N), which formed a meridian arc with an amplitude of 25° 20′08″.

Geodetic arc Struve, “Point Z”, o. Gogland, Leningrad region

Currently, arc points can be found in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia (on the island of Gogland), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova (the village of Rud) and Ukraine. On January 28, 2004, these countries approached the UNESCO World Heritage Committee with a proposal to approve the surviving 34 points of the Struve Arc as a World Heritage Monument. In 2005, this proposal was accepted.

A story about other architectural monuments of Russia included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Around the world

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In 1988, the USSR signed the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Over the past years after the collapse of the USSR, the largest number of monuments included in the List of Cultural and Natural Heritage, not counting Russia, ended up in the territories of (3) and (2 each). The remaining former republics of the Soviet Union, as of January 1, 1999, either achieved the inclusion of only one monument in the List of World Heritage Sites, or have not yet been included in it at all. , especially after the creation of the Institute of Natural and Cultural Heritage in 1992, which coordinates activities to identify, justify and include under protection the national natural and cultural heritage, develops a methodology for preserving and using the country’s treasures, which have entered and will still be included as part of the cultural and natural heritage of humanity, carries out significant work. In 2001, 14 sites were included in the Heritage List. The principle of inclusion in the natural and cultural heritage of Russia is territorial. The territory included in the Heritage List may have several nominations: national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Total number specially protected nominations - 20. Of these - 7 nature reserves, 3 national parks, 4 natural park, as well as a number of nature reserves.

In the virgin forests of Komi, two protected areas have been allocated: the Pechora-Ilychsky Nature Reserve and the Yugyd-Va National Park, on the northeastern outskirts of the Komi Republic. In northern Europe, this is the most significant tract of virgin taiga forests, practically undisturbed by human economic activity. Forests stretch along the western slopes of the Northern and Polar Urals and occupy the upper reaches (source) of the Pechora River basin. Their role as a climate regulator in the region is great. The Pechora-Ilychsky Nature Reserve is located on the western slopes. Within its boundaries, the vertical zonation is perfectly visible, and the types of forests are varied: in the Pechora lowland - pine forests; in the foothills there are dark coniferous forests of Siberian spruce, cedar, and Siberian fir. Centuries-old spruce forests require special protection. In the high mountain zone there are birch forests, mountain tundras and chars. Yugyd-Va National Park is located on the western slopes of the Subpolar Urals. In the foothills and low mountains, northern taiga pine and spruce-fir forests predominate; higher up there are subalpine woodlands and meadows, mountain tundra and char. Forests cover about half the area of the national park. There are small glaciers and the carts, circuses, and troughs created by their activity. Mountain rivers foam in canyons, bursting out of gorges. Mountain peaks and unusual rock outcrops are reflected in the lakes various shapes. These places were sacred to the indigenous peoples. On eastern border The park contains the highest point of the Ural mountain system - Mount Narodnaya (1895 m), and other peaks are no less picturesque here - Saber, Bell Tower, etc.

The Kronotsky Nature Reserve is the largest in area in Kamchatka. It occupies about 1 million hectares on land and 100 thousand hectares in the water area. This is a picturesque mountainous area with two dozen active volcanoes, fifty small glaciers, lakes and rivers. Among the active volcanoes, Kronoikaya Sopka stands out with a height of 3528 m. Spruce-larch taiga and stone birch forests stretch along the valleys and climb the mountain slopes. Numerous geysers, fumaroles, thermal and mineral springs, thermal lakes and waterfalls surrounded by steam make it possible for a person to realize that he has hot magma under his feet.

The caldera of the Uzon volcano is a giant bowl, framed by sides with a height of 200 to 900 m. Thermal lakes and the release of gases, especially carbon dioxide, have created unique places. Among them is a small hollow - the Valley of Death, where the bodies of dead animals and bird carcasses rest. Animals that wander here, having inhaled carbon dioxide, quickly lose orientation and strength and “fall asleep” forever. The view of the Uzon crater in autumn is fantastic.

On, to the north of the city, the Valley of Geysers is located. It is part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. It can be reached in just an hour by helicopter. The Valley of Geysers begins where the Geysernaya and Shumnaya rivers confluence. In the lower and middle parts of the Geysernaya River valley, which collects water from the northern slopes of the Kikhpinych volcano, there are 9 groups of geysers, stretching for 6 km. The slopes of the Valley of Geysers are steep and scree in places. They have terrace-like surfaces different levels. As a rule, geysers “work” on them, throwing out jets of boiling water with enviable frequency. The largest geyser is called “Giant”. It throws out a stream of boiling water and steam to a height of tens of meters. Geysers are associated with faults in the earth's crust. In cracked areas, voids are created where water is under hydrostatic pressure and heated above 100°. Upon reaching critical temperature the water boils, and then a stream of boiling water is ejected from the neck of the geyser with a noise and whistle. The boiling fountain runs for seconds. The water cooled in the air partially falls back into the crater, so the temperature in the underground voids decreases. The accumulation of water and its heating lead to a new release of boiling water and steam. Hot water is released onto the ground, and the cloud of steam quickly dissipates. Geyser water is highly mineralized. Sinter forms composed of geyserite form around the vent. Geyserite produces “shoots” - brownish-yellow, lemon-colored twigs that resemble corals. The formation of this mineral is a long process: hundreds and hundreds of years are required for its appearance. Not all boiling springs effectively throw out jets of water. Some of them resemble pots on a hot stove. The water boils in them, large bubbles burst. Grunts and snorts come from the vent. But the edges of the necks are still bordered by geyserite.

Bystrinsky Natural Park occupies the central part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the highlands Sredinny ridge, the upper reaches of the Tigil, Bystraya and Anavgai rivers. Area - 1.333 thousand hectares. The park is characterized by sparse population, significant landscape diversity, active and extinct volcanoes, thermal springs. Absolute heights - from 500 to 3600 m (Ichinskaya Sopka is an active volcano). This is one of the “snowiest” places in Kamchatka; the thickness here reaches several meters.

Nalychevo Natural Park neighbors Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, occupying southeastern part Kamchatka Peninsula. Area - 287 thousand hectares. The beauty of the relatively undeveloped highlands, the abundance (more than 200) of mineral springs, including thermal ones, are comparable to those in the Caucasus. Active volcanoes - Koryakskaya Sopka, Zhupanovskaya Sopka, Avachinskaya Sopka and extinct volcanoes - are geological monuments.

South Kamchatka Nature Park occupies the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Area -479 thousand hectares. Coastal plain territories and mountain volcanic ecosystems coexist with extinct and active volcanoes, thermal and mineral springs. The protection of “Red Book” species has been established, especially birds, as well as semi-aquatic and marine mammals (Kuril sea otter, island seal, blue and gray whales, fin whale, humpback whale, etc.). Bighorn sheep are protected in the mountains.

The South Kamchatka Federal Nature Reserve includes the southern tip of the peninsula, Cape Lopatka, Lake Kurilskoye and Utashud Island. Area - 274 thousand hectares. This Mountain country with volcanic, thermal and mineral springs lies on the main path of seasonal birds. The landscapes are diverse - from birch forests, alder and cedar dwarf trees to mountain tundra and char.

Lake Baikal

The nomination includes the area itself, as well as the coastal zones surrounding it, about half of which are specially protected areas: Barguzinsky, Baikalsky and Baikal-Lena nature reserves. Pribaikalsky and Transbaikalsky national parks, several nature reserves. They create a kind of necklace around the lake, consisting of natural monuments - biological and geological.

Baikal is worthy of the Guinness Book of Records. This is the deepest lake in the world - 1637 m, it contains more than 20% of the world's fresh water reserves (23,600 km3). Baikal is the oldest lake in terms of geological age, existing for at least 20 million years. Its waters are home to 2,360 species and varieties of animals and plants, 70 - 80% of them are endemic. Over a long period of evolution of the living world of the lake, stable trophic systems have developed in it, for example, the epimura crustacean - the Baikal omul - the seal, the seal. Viviparous golomyanka fish, various invertebrates, 52 species of fish, including 17 commercial species, and endemic species make this lake-sea unique. The picturesqueness of its shores and natural monuments, primarily geological, brought it worldwide fame.

Baikal deserves to become one of the world centers of ecological tourism. The total area of the habitat is 8.8 million hectares, the largest in Russia.

The Baikal Nature Reserve occupies South coast Lake Baikal, located in the Republic of Buryatia. Area - 165.7 thousand hectares, also includes the central part of the Khamar-Daban ridge. The northern slopes facing the lake are covered with dark coniferous taiga of fir, cedar and spruce; southern - light coniferous taiga of pine and larch; higher up there are dwarf cedar, rhododendron thickets, subalpine meadows, mountain tundra and char with alpine-type relief - cirques, sharp-edged peaks and ridges.

The Barguzinsky Nature Reserve is located on the northeastern coast of Lake Baikal, in the Republic of Buryatia. Created in 1916. It includes the western slope of the Barguzinsky ridge, in the south it borders with the Transbaikal National Park.

The lower part of the slopes in low and middle mountains (up to altitudes of about 1500 m) is sparsely grown larch and forests of spruce, fir and cedar; higher up are mountain tundras and chars, alpine meadows. Glacial landforms, stone ruins - kurums, lakes that took the place of melted glaciers in karas - negative forms relief in which small glaciers once lay. Highest point The Barguzinsky ridge has an elevation of 2840 m above sea level.

The Baikal-Lensky Nature Reserve is located on the northwestern shore of the lake in the Irkutsk region. Covers part of the Baikal ridge and the upper basin. In the south it borders on the Pribaikalsky National Park. Area - 659.9 thousand hectares. Lower and mid-mountain belts - spruce, larch, fir, cedar, pine; higher up - dwarf cedar, mountain tundra, char.

Pribaikalsky National Park in the Irkutsk region has perhaps the longest coastline - about 500 km; includes the southwestern and western parts of the lake coast along the Primorsky Range and the island, as well as the area of the river's source. Area - 418 thousand hectares. Altitudinal zonation is clearly visible. On the coast and in the foothills there are meadow steppes, steppes and forest-steppes (pine, larch), in the low mountains and mid-mountains there are pine and larch forests, higher up there are cedar trees, giving way to mountain tundra and char. Olkhon Island on Baikal is the largest and extraordinarily picturesque. Forest-steppe plateau landscapes, numerous rocks, cliffs, and cliffs attract tourists.

Golden Mountains of Altai. The nomination includes two reserves, a natural park, security zone There is also one nature reserve around. The total area is about 1.6 million hectares. Landscape and biological diversity, picturesqueness made this area at the junction of the borders of Russia, Kazakhstan, and China one of the most amazing places on our planet.
The Altai Nature Reserve in eastern Altai is distinguished by a variety of natural landscapes - from the waters of Lake Teletskoye to mountain taiga, alpine meadows, mountain steppes, high-mountain tundra and the glacial zone. On the eastern shore of Lake Teletskoye there is the Korbu waterfall. and varied terrain make this region very attractive not only for scientists, but also for nature lovers. The three-kilometer protective strip around Lake Teletskoye (93.7 hectares) is adjacent to the Altai Nature Reserve and plays a buffer role in the protection of the unique Lake Teletskoye.

The Katunsky Nature Reserve lies on the border with and covers Yuzhny. Area -151.6 thousand hectares. It presents a variety of landscapes, since the elevation difference exceeds 3000 m. Mountain taiga is adjacent to alpine meadows and areas of mountain steppes, and high-mountain tundra. The picturesque beauty of the Katun River valley attracts numerous water tourists, rock climbers, and mountain tourists. Deeply incised canyons, alternating rapids and calm sections of the river bed, waterfalls, a clearly defined staircase of terraces above the floodplain. About half of the territory is rocky ruins of blocks, screes, rocks and the kingdom of snow and ice. Numerous lakes, including the Multinsky Lake Cascade, and clean air make this corner of the planet attractive to thousands of travelers, vacationers and tourists.

The Belukha Nature Park adjoins the Katunsky Nature Reserve from the east. Area - 262.8 thousand hectares. The top of Mount Belukha is 4506 m; has been sacred since ancient times and is distinguished by its amazing beauty and picturesqueness. It stands out sharply above the surrounding mountains, shining with the whiteness of its peak. The rich flora and fauna in the surrounding landscapes are similar to those in the Katunsky Nature Reserve.

Currently, there are 26 World Heritage Sites located on the territory of the Russian Federation:
16 cultural sites (designated with the letter C - cultural) and 10 natural heritage sites (designated with the letter N - natural) on the World Heritage List.

Three of them are transboundary, i.e. located on the territory of several states: Curonian Spit (Lithuania, Russian Federation), Ubsunur Basin (Mongolia, Russian Federation), Struve Geodetic Arc (Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia)

The first objects are " Historical Center St. Petersburg and associated groups of monuments”, “Kizhi Pogost”, “Moscow Kremlin and Red Square” - were included in the World Heritage List at the 14th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in 1990 in the Canadian city of Banff.

14th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1990 (Banff, Canada)

№С540 - Historical center St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments

Criteria (i) (ii) (iv) (vi)
The "Venice of the North", with its many canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a great urban planning project, begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. The city turned out to be closely connected with the October Revolution of 1917, and in 1924-1991. it bore the name Leningrad. Its architectural heritage combines such different styles as Baroque and Classicism, which can be seen in the example of the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.
Information about the object:

No. S544 - Kizhi Pogost

Criteria: (i)(iv)(v)
Kizhi Pogost is located on one of the many islands of Lake Onega, in Karelia. Here you can see two wooden churches XVIII century, as well as an octagonal bell tower, built of wood in 1862. These unusual structures, the pinnacle of carpentry, represent an example of an ancient church parish and harmoniously combine with the surrounding natural landscape.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

No. C545 - Moscow Kremlin and Red Square

Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)(vi)
This place is inextricably linked with the most important historical and political events in the life of Russia. Since the 13th century. The Moscow Kremlin, created in the period from the 14th century. to the 17th century by outstanding Russian and foreign architects, it was a grand ducal and then a royal residence, as well as a religious center. On Red Square, located near the walls of the Kremlin, stands St. Basil's Cathedral - a true masterpiece of Russian Orthodox architecture.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Moscow Kremlin Museums
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

16th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1992 (Santa Fe, USA)

No. C604 - Historical monuments of Veliky Novgorod and its environs

Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Novgorod, advantageously located on the ancient trade route between Central Asia And Northern Europe, was in the 9th century. the first capital of Russia, the center of Orthodox spirituality and Russian architecture. Its medieval monuments, churches and monasteries, as well as the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek (Andrei Rublev's teacher), dating back to the 14th century, clearly illustrate the outstanding level of architectural and artistic creativity.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Novgorod Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

No. C632 - Historical and cultural complex of the Solovetsky Islands

Criterion: (iv)
Solovetsky archipelago, located in the western part White Sea, consists of 6 islands with a total area of more than 300 square meters. km. They were inhabited in the 5th century. BC, however, the very first evidence of human presence here dates back to the 3rd-2nd millennia BC. The islands, starting from the 15th century, became the site of the creation and active development of the largest monastery in the Russian North. There are also several churches from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve"
on the website "Museums of Russia"

No. C633 - White stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal

Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
These two ancient cultural centers Central Russia occupy an important place in the history of the development of the country's architecture. There are a number of majestic religious and public buildings of the 12th-13th centuries, among which the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals (Vladimir) stand out.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

17th session of the World Heritage Committee -1993 (Cartagena, Colombia)

No. S657 - Architectural ensemble Trinity Lavra of Sergius in the city of Sergiev Posad

Criteria: (ii)(iv)
This is a striking example of the current Orthodox monastery, possessing the features of a fortress, which was quite consistent with the spirit of the time of its formation - the XV-XVIII centuries. In the main temple of the Lavra - the Assumption Cathedral, created in the image and likeness of the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin - there is the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev.
Information about the object:
on website of the Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

18th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1994 (Phuket, Thailand)

№С634rev- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Moscow)

Criterion: (ii)
This church was built in 1532 on the royal estate of Kolomenskoye near Moscow to commemorate the birth of the heir - the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The Church of the Ascension, which is one of the earliest examples of the traditional hipped roof completion in stone, had a great influence on further development Russian church architecture.
Information about the object:

on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

19th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1995 (Berlin, Germany)

N719 - Virgin forests of Komi

Criteria: (vii) (ix)
Covering an area of 3.28 million hectares, the heritage site includes lowland tundra, mountain tundra of the Urals, and one of the largest tracts of primary boreal forest remaining in Europe. A vast area of swamps, rivers and lakes, home to conifers, birch and aspen, has been studied and protected for more than 50 years. Here you can trace the course of natural processes that determine the biodiversity of the taiga ecosystem.
Information about the object:

on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

20th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1996 (Merida, Mexico)

№ N754 - Lake Baikal

Criteria: (vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
Located in the southeast of Siberia and covering an area of 3.15 million hectares, Baikal is recognized as the oldest (25 million years old) and deepest (about 1700 m) lake on the planet. The reservoir stores approximately 20% of the world's fresh water reserves. In the lake, which is known as the "Galapagos of Russia", thanks to ancient age and isolation, a freshwater ecosystem, unique even by world standards, was formed, the study of which is of enduring importance for understanding the evolution of life on Earth.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

22nd Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1998 (Kyoto, Japan)

№ N768rev - “Golden Mountains of Altai”

Criteria: (x)
The Altai Mountains, which are the main mountainous region in the south Western Siberia, form the sources of the largest rivers in this region - the Ob and Irtysh. The heritage site includes three separate areas: the Altai Reserve with the water protection zone of Lake Teletskoye, the Katunsky Reserve plus the Belukha Nature Park, and the Ukok Plateau. The total area is 1.64 million hectares. The region demonstrates the widest spectrum within Central Siberia altitude zones: from steppes, forest-steppes and mixed forests to subalpine and alpine meadows and glaciers. The area is home to endangered animals such as the snow leopard.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

23rd session of the World Heritage Committee - 1999 (Marrakesh, Morocco)

№ N900 - Western Caucasus

Criteria: (ix) (x)
This is one of the few large high mountain ranges in Europe where nature has not yet been subjected to significant anthropogenic influence. The area of the object is approximately 300 thousand hectares, it is located in the west of the Greater Caucasus, 50 km northeast of the Black Sea coast. Only wild animals graze in the local alpine and subalpine meadows, and the vast untouched mountain forests, stretching from the low-mountain zone to the subalpine, are also unique in Europe. The area is characterized by a wide variety of ecosystems, highly endemic flora and fauna, and is an area once inhabited, and later re-acclimatized, by a mountain subspecies of the European bison.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

24th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2000 (Cairns, Australia)

No. C980 - Historical and architectural complex of the Kazan Kremlin

Criteria: (ii) (iii) (iv)
Emerging from a territory inhabited since ancient times, the Kazan Kremlin traces its history back to the Muslim period in the history of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible and became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The Kremlin, which largely preserved the layout of the ancient Tatar fortress and became an important center of pilgrimage, includes outstanding historical buildings of the 16th-19th centuries, built on the ruins of earlier structures of the 10th-16th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Historical-Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve "Kazan Kremlin"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

No. C982 - Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery

Criteria: (i) (iv)
Ferapontov Monastery is located in Vologda region, in the north of the European part of Russia. This is an exceptionally well-preserved Orthodox monastery complex of the 15th-17th centuries, i.e. period that had great value for the formation of a centralized Russian state and the development of its culture. The architecture of the monastery is unique and holistic. The interior of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary preserves magnificent wall frescoes by Dionysius, the greatest Russian artist of the late 15th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Kirillo-Belozersky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve”
on the website of the Museum of Frescoes of Dionysius
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

№С994 - Curonian Spit
Transboundary object: Lithuania, Russian Federation

Criterion: (v)
Human development of this narrow sandy peninsula, which has a length of 98 km and a width of 400 m to 4 km, began in prehistoric times. The spit was also exposed to natural forces - wind and sea waves. The preservation of this unique cultural landscape to this day has become possible only thanks to man's ongoing struggle against erosion processes (fixation of dunes, forest planting).
Information about the object:
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Russia)
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

25th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2001 (Helsinki, Finland)

№ N766rev - Central Sikhote-Alin

Criterion: (x)
The Sikhote-Alin Mountains are home to Far Eastern coniferous-deciduous forests, which are recognized as one of the richest and most original in species composition among all forests temperate zone Earth. In this transition zone, located at the junction of the taiga and subtropics, there is an unusual mixture of southern (tiger, Himalayan bear) and northern animal species (brown bear, lynx). The area stretches from the highest peaks of the Sikhote Alin to the coast of the Sea of Japan, and serves as a refuge for many endangered species, including the Amur tiger.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

27th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2003 (Paris, France)

№ N769 rev- Ubsunur Basin
Transboundary site: Mongolia, Russian Federation

Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site (with an area of 1,069 thousand hectares) is located within the boundaries of the northernmost of all drainage basins in Central Asia. Its name comes from the name of the vast shallow and very salty lake Ubsunur, in the area of which a mass of migratory, waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds accumulate. The object consists of 12 isolated areas (including seven areas in Russia, with an area of 258.6 thousand hectares), which represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Eastern Eurasia. The steppes are home to a wide variety of birds, and desert areas are home to rare species of small mammals. In the high mountain part, such animals are noted that are rare in on a global scale, like the snow leopard and argali mountain sheep, as well as the Siberian ibex.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Tuvan Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

No. C1070 - Citadel, Old city and fortifications of Derbent

Criteria: (iii) (iv)
Ancient Derbent was located on the northern borders of Sasanian Persia, which at that time extended east and west from the Caspian Sea. The ancient fortifications, built of stone, include two fortress walls that run parallel to each other from the seashore to the mountains. The city of Derbent developed between these two walls and has retained its medieval character to this day. It continued to be a strategically important place until the 19th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution "Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

28th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2004 (Suzhou, China)

No. S1097 - Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (Moscow)

Criteria: (i) (iv) (vi)
The Novodevichy Convent, located in the southwest of Moscow, was created during the 16th-17th centuries and was one of the links in the chain of monastic ensembles united in the city’s defense system. The monastery was closely connected with the political, cultural and religious life of Russia, as well as with the Moscow Kremlin. Representatives of the royal family, noble boyar and noble families were tonsured and buried here. The ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent is one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture (Moscow Baroque style), and its interiors, where valuable collections of paintings and works of decorative and applied art are stored, are distinguished by their rich interior decoration.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Mother of God of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

№ N1023rev - Natural complex of the Wrangel Island reserve

Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site, located above the Arctic Circle, includes the mountainous Wrangel Island (7.6 thousand sq. km) and Herald Island (11 sq. km) along with the adjacent waters of the Chukotka and East Siberian Seas. Since this area was not covered by powerful Quaternary glaciation, very high biodiversity. Wrangel Island is known for its huge walrus rookeries (one of the largest in the Arctic), as well as the highest density of polar bear maternity dens in the world. The area is important as a feeding ground for gray whales migrating here from California and as a nesting site for more than 50 species of birds, many of which are classified as rare and endangered. More than 400 species and varieties of vascular plants have been recorded on the island, that is, more than on any other Arctic island. Some of the living organisms found here are special island forms of those plants and animals that are widespread on the continent. About 40 species and subspecies of plants, insects, birds and animals are identified as endemic.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution State Nature Reserve "Wrangel Island"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

29th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2005 (Durban, South Africa)

No. S1187 - Struve geodetic arc
Transboundary object: Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia

Criteria: (ii) (iii) (vi)
“Struve Arc” is a chain of triangulation points stretching for 2820 km across the territory of ten European countries from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea. These observation reference points were established in the period 1816-1855. astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (aka Vasily Yakovlevich Struve), who thus made the first reliable measurement of a large segment of the earth's meridian arc. This made it possible to accurately determine the size and shape of our planet, which was an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. This was an exceptional example of scientific cooperation between scientists from different countries and between ruling monarchs. Initially, the “arc” consisted of 258 geodetic “triangles” (polygons) with 265 main triangulation points. The World Heritage Site includes 34 such points (the best preserved to date), which are marked on the ground with the most in different ways, such as: hollows carved into the rocks, iron crosses, cairns or specially installed obelisks.
Information about the object:
Online St. Petersburg Society of Geodesy and Cartography
on the website of the Land Department of the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia
on the website of the Finnish Department of Cartography
on the Norwegian World Heritage website
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

№С1170 - Historical center of Yaroslavl

Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The historical city of Yaroslavl, located approximately 250 km northeast of Moscow at the confluence of the Kotorosl River and the Volga, was founded in the 11th century. and subsequently developed into a large shopping center. It is known for its numerous churches from the 17th century, and as an outstanding example of the implementation of the urban planning reform carried out by decree of Empress Catherine the Great in 1763 throughout Russia. Although the city retained a number of remarkable historical buildings, it was later reconstructed in the classicist style based on a radial master plan. It also preserves items dating back to the 16th century. buildings of the Spassky Monastery - one of the oldest in the Upper Volga region, which arose in late XII V. on the site of a pagan temple, but rebuilt over time.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Official portal of the city of Yaroslavl
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

34th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2010 (Brasilia, Brazil)

№ N1234rev - Putorana Plateau

Criteria: (vii) (ix)
This object coincides with its borders with the Putorana State Nature Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 km beyond the Arctic Circle. The World Heritage portion of this plateau contains a full range of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest-tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as pristine cold-water lake and river systems. The main migration route of deer runs through the site, which is an exceptional, majestic and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "United Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves"
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

36th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2012 (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)

№ N1299 - Lena Pillars Nature Park

Criteria: (viii)
The Lena Pillars Natural Park is formed by rock formations of rare beauty that reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They arose abruptly continental climate with a difference in annual temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius (from -60°C in winter to +40°C in summer). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with frost-covered rock fragments. The penetration of water from the surface accelerated the freezing process and contributed to frost weathering. This led to the deepening of the ravines between the pillars and their dispersal. The proximity of the river and its flow are for the pillars dangerous factors. The site contains remains of a wide variety of Cambrian species.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Natural Park “Lena Pillars”
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

38th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2014 (Doha, Qatar)

No. S981rev- Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Complex

Criteria:(ii) (vi)
The facility is located on the banks of the Volga River south of the confluence of the Kama River and south of the capital of Tatarstan, the city of Kazan. It contains evidence of the existence medieval city Bulgarian, ancient settlement the people of the Volga Bulgars, who existed in the period from the 7th to the 15th centuries. and was in the 13th century. the first capital of the Golden Horde. Bolgar demonstrates the historical and cultural relationships and transformations in Eurasia over several centuries, which played a decisive role in the formation of civilizations, customs and cultural traditions. The site represents important evidence of historical continuity and cultural diversity. It is a symbolic reminder of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars in 922 and remains a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Muslim Tatars.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve "Great Bolgar"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website

37th sessionWorld Heritage Committee - 2013 (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Cambodia)

№C1411 - Ancient city of Tauride Chersonesos and its choir

Criteria: (ii) (v)

The object is a ruin ancient city, founded by the Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC. e. on the northern coast of the Black Sea. The site includes six elements, including the ruins of a city and agricultural land, divided into several hundred rectangular plots of the same size, used for growing grapes; the products of the vineyards were intended for export and ensured the prosperity of Chersonesos until the 15th century. On the territory of the site there are several complexes of public buildings, residential areas and monuments of early Christianity. There are also ruins of Stone and Bronze Age settlements, Roman and medieval tower fortifications and water systems, as well as exceptionally well-preserved vineyards and dividing walls. In the 3rd century AD e. Chersonesus was known as the most successful wine-making center on the Black Sea and served as a link between Greece, the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the peoples of the northern Black Sea coast. Chersonesos is an outstanding example of the democratic organization of agriculture in the vicinity of an ancient city, reflecting the urban social structure.

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41st session of the World Heritage Committee - 2017 (Krakow, Poland)

№N1448rev - Landscapes of Dauria

Criteria: (ix) (x)

Situated between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, this site is a unique example of the Daurian steppe ecosystem, which begins in eastern Mongolia and extends across Russian Siberia to the northeastern border of China. The cyclical climate, with characteristic wet and dry periods, has contributed to the emergence of a wide variety of species and ecosystems that are important throughout the world. Featured here Various types Steppes such as wet grasslands, forests and lake areas are home to rare fauna such as the white-naped crane and bustard, as well as millions of rare and vulnerable migratory birds that are in danger of extinction. The park is also an important site on the migratory route of the Mongolian Dresden.

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No. C1525 - Assumption Cathedral and monastery of the island-city of Sviyazhsk

Criteria: (ii) (iv)

The Assumption Cathedral is located on the island-city of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Situated at the confluence of the Volga, Sviyaga and Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Volga River, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that Ivan the Terrible began the conquest of the city of Kazan. The location and architecture of the Monastery of the Assumption testify to the existence of a political and missionary program developed by Tsar Ivan IV in order to expand the territory of the Moscow state. The cathedral's frescoes are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox wall painting.

Information about the object: