Unesco World Heritage - cores

In 1996, Belgium ratified the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The Convention aims to protect the world's cultural and natural heritage. Heritage that shows Exceptional Universal Value is included on the World Heritage List in accordance with the convention. Flanders has four recognitions, namely the Flemish Beguinages (1998), the Belfries of Belgium and France (1999/2005), the historic city centre of Bruges (2000) and the Museum-Print Room Plantin-Moretus (2005). The beguinages and belfries are serial nominations and therefore consist of several components. In total, 40 Flemish properties and 1 city are on the World Heritage List. All Member States that have ratified the Convention are committed to preserving this heritage. Not only within the delimitation of the World Heritage site itself, but also within the buffer zone, Member States can take (or restrict) appropriate (management) measures to this end. The buffer zone serves as protection for the World Heritage Site against external threats. It is an area that surrounds or joins the recognized World Heritage Site and may consist of the immediate surroundings, important views of the site and other areas of importance for the support and protection of the site. (Operational Guidelines to the World Heritage Convention, 2013, § 103-107).