Italy is one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to monuments, works of art and historical testimonies. This is demonstrated by the large number of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO in Italy. There are currently 59 sites registered on the list, of which 9 are in Veneto. Discover, then, which are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Veneto to visit.
Venice and its lagoon
Venice, with its lagoon, has been recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, representing a unique masterpiece of engineering and art. The motivation, in fact, recalls the particular mix between the natural environment and cultural sites.
Among the unmissable places in Venice are the majestic Basilica of San Marco, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge, as well as the lesser-known but fascinating hidden corners of the city. To reach Venice, you can opt for the train, which will take you directly to Santa Lucia station, or sail through the canals by vaporetto, discovering the city from the water.
The city of Verona
Verona has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. This designation celebrates its exceptional historical and cultural valuewhich is reflected in its ancient structures and things to see, including the Roman Arena, well preserved and still used today for events and shows.
Walking through the streets of Verona, you can admire Juliet’s House, with its famous balcony, the Castelvecchio and the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, masterpieces that testify to the importance of the city in different eras. In particular, UNESCO has given credit to the city’s periods of prestige, such as the era of the Scaligeri. To visit Verona you can easily arrive either by train or by plane.
Vicenza and the Palladian Villas
Vicenza and the Palladian Villas in its surroundings were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO between 1994 and 1996, thanks to the architect’s influence Andrea Palladiowhose style has marked the history of Western architecture.
The works by Palladio in Vicenza, such as the Olympic Theatre, the Palladian Basilica and Villa La Rotonda, are examples of harmony and beauty that reflect the principles of Greek and Roman classicism reinterpreted in a Renaissance key. Getting to Vicenza to discover the many things to visit is simple both by train and by car, being along the Milan-Venice railway axis and close to the A4 motorway.
Padua: the city of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Botanical Garden of Padua is a true cultural heritage of the city. Recognized by UNESCO in 1997, the site is the oldest university botanical garden in the world, having been founded in 1545. It currently collects around 3,500 plant species from all over the world. Visiting the Botanical Garden of Padua means immersing yourself in an environment where nature and culture blend in a unique way. The garden was then expanded in 2014 and is located next to the famous one Valley Meadow.
In 2021 Padua was also awarded the recognition for Frescoed cycles of the 14th century included in eight monuments in the center of Padua. Among these there is also the famous Scrovegni Chapel, one of the main things to visit in the city.
The Dolomites
The Dolomites were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009, thanks to their extraordinary scenic beauty and their geological and geomorphological importance. These “natural cathedrals” extend mainly into province of Belluno and they are affected by a particular phenomenon that makes them pink at sunset.
To visit the Dolomites, you can start from different base locations such as Cortina d’Ampezzo or Belluno. These areas are well connected by roads and highways, and offer access to a wide range of outdoor activities.
The Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
The Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2019, are the symbol of a cultural landscape of exceptional value. This area is renowned for the production of Prosecco, a wine appreciated throughout the world, which finds its ideal habitat in the rolling Venetian hills.
The landscape protected by the international body develops in province of Treviso and includes several towns such as Valdobbiadene, Miane, Cison di Valmarino and many others. To get to this area, you can start from Treviso and follow the course of the Piave northwards.
Venetian defense works and pile-dwelling sites
The Venetian defense works and prehistoric pile-dwelling sites are extraordinary examples of UNESCO heritage that Veneto shares with other nations. The Venetian defense works, built between the 16th and 17th centuries to protect the Serenissima Republic of Venice, extend beyond the Italian borders, testifying to the influence and power of Venice in past eras. These fortifications are located in various strategic locations along the Adriatic coast, in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro.
THE pile-dwelling sites in the Alps, however, offer a unique glimpse into prehistoric life. These settlements erected on poles driven into the bottom of lakes, rivers or wetlands, date back from the Neolithic to the Iron Age and are scattered across various regions of Europe, including some sites in the Veneto.
