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Walk through history as we guide you to things to learn, places to discover, and events that help connect us to our rich heritage.
Current overview
In February, the U.S. Department of Interior submitted a multi-country nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List of historic “Moravian Church Settlements” in Bethlehem, North America, and Europe. This transnational nomination includes Bethlehem, Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK, and Herrnhut, Germany. If approved by the international World Heritage Committee, these three sites will join the previously inscribed Moravian settlement of Christiansfeld, Denmark to form a single UNESCO listing for the Moravian Church Settlements.
Latest World Heritage Updates
Journey to World Heritage: A Timeline
United States submits multi-national nomination to World Heritage List.
The multi-country Tentative List Form which includes Bethlehem, Gracehill, and Herrnhut was submitted and is now officially on the World Heritage website.
Transnational Working Group meetings were held in Northern Ireland in March and Denmark in July.
A Transnational Working Group meeting of the four historic Moravian communities was held in Herrnhut.
German Minister Müntefering visits Bethlehem. The four countries agree to work together with the U.S. as the lead on the nomination.
Representatives from Gracehill, Herrnhut, Christiansfeld and Bethlehem gathered in Bethlehem to sign the Voluntary Association Agreement to jointly prepare the nomination dossier.
Historic Moravian Bethlehem works with representatives of Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK and Herrnhut, Germany to prepare a transnational, serial nomination to the World Heritage List. This is the first multi-country nomination for the U.S.
The U.S. Tentative List was reviewed and approved by the World Heritage Committee and Historic Moravian Bethlehem is now listed along with the other U.S. sites on the World Heritage website for nomination to the World Heritage List.
Historic Moravian Bethlehem was honored with placement on the US Tentative List for eventual nomination to the World Heritage List.
The Moravian settlement of Christiansfeld, Denmark, founded 30 years after Bethlehem, was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Historic Moravian Bethlehem was designated a National Historic Landmark District, one of eight in Pennsylvania and about 200 in the United States.
The journey to international recognition begins.
One Step Closer
Top 10 Things to Know
What is World Heritage and what would inclusion on the UNESCO list mean for the Lehigh Valley and the City of Bethlehem? Here are the Top 10 things you need to know:
Learn MoreHistoric Moravian Bethlehem Story
Learn more about the unique and storied history of Historic Moravian Bethlehem. Our city, located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, changed the course of our nation and its culture. We invite you to experience more about Bethlehem's rich and fascinating history.
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Resources & Links
Want to learn more about UNESCO, World Heritage, and sites in the United States and around the world? Find all you want to know right here!
Learn MoreWorld Heritage Frequently Asked Questions
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What is World Heritage?
World Heritage represents places on Earth having outstanding universal value for humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. As of October 2020, the World Heritage List contains 1121 cultural, natural and mixed properties.
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What is UNESCO?
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations which contributes to the building of peace, the reduction of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through the implementation of programmes in the field of education, natural and social sciences, culture, communication and information.
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What does it mean for a site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List?
Once a country joins the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and has sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, the resulting prestige often helps to raise awareness among the general public and the state authorities of heritage preservation. Greater awareness leads to a general rise in the level of the protection and conservation given to heritage properties. A country may also receive financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.
