Lower Germanic Limes third new Dutch world heritage site

The Netherlands has added three new historical world icons. Placement on the World Heritage List adds them to a selection of areas that are unique in the world. For the Netherlands, the Lower Germanic Limes - the former border of the Roman Empire -, the Colonies of Weldadigheid and the Dutch Waterline have been added to the list. During the World Heritage Committee meeting, which lasts until 31 July, the sitting countries will jointly decide which areas will be added to the World Heritage List.

Minister Van Engelshoven: "The placement of three Dutch icons on the World Heritage List is a special appreciation for these areas. I was allowed to see what these areas have to offer. I have also walked part of the Limes itself. This is heritage that the Netherlands can be proud of. It connects our past with the present. And I am glad that with listing, we are ensuring that these areas remain preserved and accessible for everyone now and in the future."

Being awarded World Heritage status is a global recognition. It is exceptional for UNESCO to enter several nominations with Dutch backgrounds this year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee did not proceed in 2020, therefore there were twice as many nominations from around the world to consider in 2021. With the awards, a total of 12 heritage sites in the Kingdom of the Netherlands are now on Unesco's World Heritage List.

The three Dutch Nominations

The Frontiers of the Roman Empire - the Lower Germanic Limes

Two thousand years ago, the northern 'Limes' (the Latin word for border) of the Roman Empire ran straight through the Netherlands, along the Rhine. To protect this border (part of the longer border through Europe, the Middle East and North Africa), Romans built watchtowers and army camps here, among other things. There are 19 sites in the Netherlands and 25 in Germany; the Netherlands has therefore also submitted the nomination on behalf of Germany.

The Colonies of Weldadigheid

The Colonies of Weldadigheid, also known as 'pauper colonies', are the world's first and largest-scale examples of agricultural colonies for poverty alleviation. They were founded from 1818 by the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid with the aim of transforming poor people into honourable citizens. This was done, among other things, by letting them mine and cultivate new farmland. The Colonies to be included on the World Heritage List are Frederiksoord, Wilhelminaoord and Veenhuizen in the Netherlands and Wortel in Flanders. The Netherlands and Belgium therefore jointly nominated this area for a place on the World Heritage List.

The Dutch Waterways

The New Dutch Waterline is an extension of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. The Defence Line of Amsterdam has already had UNESCO status since 1996. The proposal is that the Defence Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline will soon form the World Heritage Hollandse Waterlinies together. The lines tell the story of the defence of Holland as the administrative and economic heart of the Netherlands. The 85-kilometre line with 45 forts, six fortresses and two castles now forms a green and recreational belt in an environment with great urban dynamics. Since the 1990s, the Netherlands has been working to restore and open up the heritage of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie.

Value of World Heritage listing

Listing on the World Heritage List is an international sign of appreciation. It underlines that this monument is considered irreplaceable and unique to the world community. If, as a country, you have a heritage on the World Heritage List, it comes with an international obligation under the World Heritage Convention to properly protect and preserve that heritage for future generations.