The Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato are one step closer to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry announced that the viticultural landscapes of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato have received a favorable opinion from its entry in the candidature list of unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

ICOMOS, the independent organization that assesses applications in the UNESCO World Heritage list, expressed a positive view, saying, “The viticultural landscapes of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato represent an incredible living testimony of a wine growing tradition that is unique in its category.” For ICOMOS, “The candidate is unique in its harmony and displays a perfect balance between aesthetic quality and rural landscape, historic architecture, and ancient and authentic wine making traditions.”

With this assessment, the independent organization has recognized the cultural dimension that a rural landscape occupies for the first time in Italy. They confirm that the agricultural traditions of this land, through shaping of the landscape, have become essential and characteristic parts of the territory.

The decision by ICOMOS will be submitted to the Standing Committee of UNESCO World Heritage Sites this coming June. ICOMOS represents the 190 State Parties that form the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage sites.

The candidature was submitted to the Association in 2006, and presented in Paris in 2013-2014 where it was the only Italian candidate. The presentation followed a major joint work by the UNESCO task force of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Ministry of National Heritage, Cultural, and Tourism Activites, the Polytechnic Institute of Turin, and the local Association for the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato.

Also read Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato on the Olympus of UNESCO

Translated by Diana Zahuranec