World Heritage FAQs

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 July 2024, the World Heritage List contains 1223 cultural, natural and mixed properties.

What countries are involved in the Moravian Church Settlements World Heritage inscription? When was it inscribed on the World Heritage List?

The Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem, USA; Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK; and Herrnhut, Germany, were inscribed on the prestigious list at the World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India, on July 26, 2024 and now join Christiansfeld, Denmark, (inscribed in 2015) as a single World Heritage Site.

What sites are a part of the World Heritage designation?

Properties

Properties that Continue the Story

How many World Heritage Sites are there in the United States?

There are currently 26 World Heritage Sites in the U.S. including the Grand Canyon National Park, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home, Yosemite National Park, and now Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem.

These sites are located in 21 U.S. states and include two locations in Puerto Rico.  

Pennsylvania is now home to three World Heritage Sites: Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater House in Mill Run, Fayette County. 

What is UNESCO?

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations that contributes to the building of peace, the reduction of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through the implementation of programs in the fields of education, natural and social sciences, culture, communication and information.

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 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.

How will the inscription to the World Heritage List benefit the City of Bethlehem?

Being inscribed to the exclusive list brings Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem worldwide recognition. It will also attract tourism and boost the economy.  

Why Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem?  

Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem was inscribed because it meets two selection criteria. The first is its “exceptional testimony” to the Moravian Church’s principles, and the community’s way of life, architecture, and craftsmanship. Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem is also an example of innovative town planning, influential architectural style, and enhanced community life. 

Who is on the Bethlehem World Heritage Commission?

Officers

• Mayor J. William Reynolds, Chair
• Curtis Barnette, Vice Chair
• Charlene Donchez Mowers, Senior Advisor
• Don Cunningham, Treasurer
• Daniel McCarthy, Secretary

Members