UNESCO World Heritage in NRW

The most important heritage sites in NRW

Emperors and electors, men of the church and big industrialists have all left their mark in North Rhine-Westphalia. Five splendid monuments and a historical border are now included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Imposing cathedrals, magnificent castles, monuments from Roman times, an immense former Benedictine abbey and the most beautiful coal mine in the world all have a fascinating history waiting to be discovered.

Corvey Höxter

Westphalia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site

Westphalia gained its first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014: The former Benedictine abbey at Corvey with the same name as the lost monastery town is permitted to carry this title.

Lower Germanic Limes in the Rhineland

A Wet Border and the Seed of Urban Centres

What is now a UNESCO World Heritage used to separate the Roman Empire from Germania. Today, travellers can feel times long past in many stations along the border as they explore historical building monuments and learn more about the Romans’ lives. Tour highlights include Cologne, Xanten, and Monheim.

The Brühl Palaces Brühl

Baroque buildings of exemplary character

Visitors find the baroque splendour of the Brühl palaces simply breathtaking. Anyone who stands in the stairway will understand why other royal courts can only look at Brühl with envy. Today, both structures and their gardens and parks are listed as Unesco World Heritage sites.