World Heritage of Humanity: what will you find in Galicia?

Every April 18 is celebrated the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The ephemeris, established by UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1983, aims to raise awareness among the world's population about the relevance of cultural and monumental heritage and the importance of its care and conservation. and, precisely about this, Galicia has a lot to say.

Every April 18 is celebrated the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The ephemeris, established by UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1983, aims to raise awareness among the world's population about the relevance of cultural and monumental heritage and the importance of its care and conservation. and, precisely about this, Galicia has a lot to say.

If we take a look at all that these beautiful lands have to offer, we find five locations or monuments declared World Heritage Sites. These are the old city of Santiago de Compostela, the Roads of Santiago de Compostela, the Tower of Hercules and the Wall of Lugo. To these five enclaves we must add a craft technique that is part of the intangible heritage: dry stone.

The old city of Santiago de Compostela

The old city of Santiago de Compostela, that is, the historic center of the Galician capital, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. About it, UNESCO says that it is one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world, enhanced by its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque monuments.

In addition, the historic center is part of the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain, created in 1993, in order to act jointly in the defense of the historical heritage of these locations. These are Alcalá de Henares, Ávila, Baeza, Cáceres, Córdoba, Cuenca, Ibiza, Mérida, Salamanca, San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Santiago de Compostela, Segovia, Tarragona, Toledo and Úbeda.

Caminos of the North of Spain

A few years later, in 1993, the French Camiño de Santiago would also be declared a World Heritage Site. Likewise, the Coastal Way, the Inland Way of the Basque Country and La Rioja, the Liébana Way and the Primitive Way would be inscribed on this World Heritage list and would become part of the extension of the serial cultural property known as the Ways of St. James of Compostela.

This network, which crosses the north of the Peninsula, extends over 1,500 kilometers, being a rich source of historical constructions ranging from bridges, churches and cathedrals to hostels and hospitals.

Wall of Lugo

The Wall of Lugo was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000, in addition to being included in the individual assets of the Primitive Way of the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela since 2015.

The complex, erected at the end of the 2nd century to defend the Roman city of Lucus, extends over a little more than two kilometers and its perfect preservation makes the building to be considered the most beautiful archetype of late Roman fortification in Western Europe.

Tower of Hercules

The Tower of Hercules is the symbol of the city of A Coruña and no wonder. The construction is not only the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world, but the only one of its kind still in operation. It was erected at the end of the 1st century during the Roman Empire by an architect from Coimbra named Caio Sevio Lupo. The current exterior cladding is from the 18th century, the work of Eustaquio Giannini.

The monument, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2009, is 55 meters high and is built on a rock 57 meters high. The tower consists of three floors that taper upwards, the first of them being the structure of a Roman lighthouse. Also, at its feet, is the Sculpture Park of the Tower of Hercules.

Dry stone

In 2018, the Galician dry stone construction technique was added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List as part of a joint candidacy made up of a group of eight European countries: Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. And, within Spain, in addition to Galicia, it includes the presence of Andalusia, Asturias, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Extremadura, Catalonia and Valencia.

Dry stone is a traditional construction technique that dispenses with any binding material such as mortar. This process not only adds value for being an ancient tradition that is transmitted by the stonemasons, but also affects the relationship of the community with the environment, creating and defining the environment.

Although there are examples spread throughout Galicia, the areas of Pontevedra, Terra de Montes, Deza, Bergantiños, Terra de Soneira, Xallas, Fisterra, Terra Chá and Ribeira Sacra stand out.