Every year, UN officials unveil a host of new monuments and landscapes that will be added to their prestigious World Heritage List. Inclusion not only makes those cultural and herbarium sites known for tourism purposes, but also gives those spaces greater protection.
For years, Italy ideally reigned supreme with the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, and that hasn’t surpassed it since 2023, when it amassed a total of 59. Instantly, places like Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast come to mind. , and in recent years, ancient hidden gems such as Alberobello in Puglia and Matera in Basilica have drawn crowds.
Beyond the congested places, there are several UNESCO sites that receive fewer visitors in comparison. Here is our pick of the most underrated in Italy.
Year of enrollment: 1998
Italy has no shortage of desirable historic centres, with seven on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Rome, Florence, and Naples are world-famous, while other smaller cities like San Gimigano in Tuscany also cater to larger crowds. But the historic center of Urbino remains one of the least visited sites in central Italy. Although its origins can be traced back to Roman settlements in the 3rd century BC, it is still the first time that the Romans have been able to find a way toBy 3000 BC, this small, hilltop town has become one of Europe’s most important cultural centers by the Renaissance era, attracting scholars and artists from all over the world. The strong art scene allowed Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, a local from Urbino, to excel in his paintings and architecture. Today, the Renaissance artist is a valuable ancient figure in the city. Much of his paintings are exhibited in the National Gallery of Marche, located inside one of the most valuable buildings of the 15th century in Urbino, the Doge’s Palace.
Year of registration: 2021
Bologna is enjoyed for many reasons: its world-famous cuisine, historic university, medieval towers, and rustic red roofs come to mind. But it is the city’s porticoes (a porch or walkway with a roof and supported by columns) that have been indexed. as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 62 km of porticoes around Bologna, dating back to the 12th century, have been declared a World Heritage Site. As visitors walk through the city, they can expect to see a variety of porticoes made of wood, stone, brick, and later concrete. Some are attached to buildings, such as the very old 13th-century Casa Isolani, while the Portico of San Luca is a long path leading to the imposing sanctuary of the Virgin of San Luca. At 3,700 m, it is considered the longest covered trail in the world.
Year of enrollment: 1979
Located in the mountainous region of Lombardy, the Valcamonica cave drawings were the country’s first World Heritage Site in 1979. Although it’s the first, this northern Italian site is just as popular as other more central monuments in the country included in the UNESCO. , the valley is home to the largest collection of prehistoric petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the world. It is estimated that there are more than 140,000 in total and they were created during an 8,000-year era. The sculptures depict photographs of dueling, farming, and deer hunting. among other figures and symbols. Due to the vastness of this cultural landscape with 180 other sites, there are several other parks that visitors can use to access the petroglyphs. The most notable sites are those in the Capo di Ponte area, where rock art is found. it spans from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
Year of enrollment: 2014
Piedmont is the northwestern region of Italy, bordering France and Switzerland and encompassing the city of Turin. But far from the urban areas, near the Po River and the Ligurian Apennines, lies a landscape of World Heritage-listed vineyards. The five distinct vineyards make up a long history of viticulture and winemaking, a culture that has characterized the region for thousands of years, with evidence of vine pollen dating back to the 5th century BC. The 11th-century Château de Cavour is also on the UNESCO list due to its centuries. -Ancient influence on the surrounding cultivated hills. The most popular wine in Piedmont is Barolo, a red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape and considered the most productive wine in Italy.
Year of enrollment: 2002
Sicily draws visitors for its iconic landmarks such as the Valley of the Temples and Mount Etna, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, while the cities of Palmero and Taormina have also noticed a recent wave of on-screen travelers since White’s second series on HBO. fallen. But in the southeast of Sicily lies the quieter region of Val di Nito, where 8 of its cities are inscribed on the UNESCO list: Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli. In 1697, devastating earthquakes ravaged the region, forcing the rebuilding and restoration of those cities on or alongside their remains. Baroque art and architecture are on display in each of the cities, as shown by the taste of the 17th and 18th centuries. Modica gives perhaps the most productive perspectives and a desirable history when it comes to chocolate making, while Ragusa and Scicli are the smallest, but absolutely charming.