Palermo's entry increases UNESCO sites in Italy to 51
(AGI) Rome, July 3 - The UN recognition of "Arab-Norman Palermoand the cathedrals of Cefalu' and Monreale increases the totalnumber of UNESCO sites in Italy to 51. "This marks aninternational record of which we should be proud and of whichwe are even more enthusiastic due to the recognition of one ofthe happiest historical examples of integration and coexistencebetween the different cultures of the Mediterranean", saidMinister of Heritage and Cultural Activities and Tourism, DarioFranceschini. The recognition arrived from Bonn where this yearthe World Heritage Committee met. The ministry participated inthe meeting
(AGI) Rome, July 3 - The UN recognition of "Arab-Norman Palermoand the cathedrals of Cefalu' and Monreale increases the totalnumber of UNESCO sites in Italy to 51. "This marks aninternational record of which we should be proud and of whichwe are even more enthusiastic due to the recognition of one ofthe happiest historical examples of integration and coexistencebetween the different cultures of the Mediterranean", saidMinister of Heritage and Cultural Activities and Tourism, DarioFranceschini. The recognition arrived from Bonn where this yearthe World Heritage Committee met. The ministry participated inthe meeting as part of the Italian delegation. As with previousand recent entries of cultural sites (four in 2011) this is aserial system, allowing for the fuller representation ofgeneral themes of outstanding universal value that transcendnational and temporal boundaries. The candidacy of the Siciliansite, launched in 2010 under the coordination of the ministry,was promoted by Sicily Region and Sicily's UNESCO Foundation,with the contribution of various other institutions and expertsfrom the scientific and cultural worlds. Given the multiplicityof subjects involved in the management of the assets in thesite, including the direct managers as well as the variousadministrations involved in the protection and management ofthe territory, the nomination was accompanied by a managementcoordination project. This culminated in the signing of aninstitutional memorandum of understanding to give substance tothe commitment made by the Italian State at the time ofapplication. The nine monuments included in the serial site arethe Royal Palace of Palermo with the Palatine Chapel, theChurch of St John of the Hermits, the Church of St Mary'sAdmiral, the Church of San Cataldo, Palermo Cathedral, thePalazzo della Zisa, the Admiral's Bridge, Cefalu' Cathedral,and Monreale Cathedral. (AGI). .