Madrid’s Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro Park added to World Heritage List

Buen Retiro Park and Paseo del Prado of Madrid, Spain have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Highlights

• With this announcement the total number of World Heritage Sites in Spain goes up to 49 which is the third-highest globally only after Italy and China.
• Before the addition of these two sites none of the countries heritage sites were located Madrid, the capital of Spain.

About Buen Retiro Park and Paseo Del Prado

Buen Retiro Park is a green refuge with a total area 118 hectares located just at the centre of the capital city. The Paseo del Prado Boulevard features six museums, the famous Plaza de Cibeles square and the famous Fuente de Cibeles fountain.

Why were International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had argued against the sites being added to the list?

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a organization that advises UNESCO, had argued against considering Retiro Park and Paseo del Prado, and recommended that Retiro Park be not included as there were no historical proof of the two ever having being paired.

ICOMOS presented a report denouncing the air pollution which surrounds the site. Madrid City Hall replied back stating that were formulating plans to reduce vehicular traffic around the site.

Conclusion

UNESCO evaluates 25 proposals every year for them being added to the World Heritage List. Spain started the efforts to induct these two sites in the World Heritage List began since the year 2014 under Ana Botella who is the former mayor of Madrid.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021