When we hear the phrase ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’ we usually think of gorgeous old towns, areas of outstanding natural beauty and iconic buildings such as the Pyramids of Giza or the Alhambra in Granada. But the list isn’t all about the Great Barrier Reef and Great Wall of China… it doesn’t half include some weird ones. And these ten are arguably the strangest World Heritage sites.
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
Where: Vanuatu
Chief Roi Mata was a paramount chief who managed to unite warring village tribes in what is now known as Vanuatu. He was so popular that when he died, many of his followers wanted to be buried with him. They were buried alive in a mass grave with the big man, and now the site of that grave is on the World Heritage list amongst other places linked to the chief.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Where: Alberta, Canada
Easily the best name for a World Heritage site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump makes the list for its links to the indigenous Blackfoot people. They used to capture buffalo by forcing them to charge off a 10m high cliff. Bones would stack up in the valley below.
Varberg Radio Station
Where: Grimeton, Southern Sweden
No, it hasn’t been listed because of its noble service to traffic updates or a rather good breakfast show – the Varberg Radio Station is “an exceptionally well-preserved monument to early wireless transatlantic communication”. It contains the original transmitter equipment from the 1920s and six 127m high steel towers. And that’s enough to make the World Heritage List, apparently.
Potosí
Where: Bolivia
Often billed as the highest city in the world, Potosí is something of an ugly beast. It is surrounded by a scarred landscape, as historically it has been one of the richest mining territories on earth. In the 17th and 18th century, the money from silver mining led to some grand architecture being constructed. Much of it has seen better days now, but the combination of faded grandeur, altitude and desolate surroundings makes it an intriguing spot.
Robben Island
Where: Western Cape Province, South Africa
Formerly used as a leper colony and an animal quarantine station, Robben Island is best known as a prison. Its most notable inmate was anti-apartheid campaigner and former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Saltaire
Where: Bradford, England
Back in the good old days, when the north of England was synonymous with industry, business owners built accommodation for their workers. Mill owner Titus Salt went a bit further and built an entire village. All the village in Saltaire is of the same architectural style, while the gigantic old mill now hosts art collections.
Shark Bay
Where: Western Australia
The bay has a somewhat stark beauty, and it is the most westerly point on the Australian continent, but on first glance there’s nothing particularly remarkable about Shark Bay.
That is until you realise that the series of rocks stretching into the sea aren’t rocks at all – they’re living creatures called stromatolites. And these rather dull beings are one of the few remaining examples of the oldest living things on earth. Pretty impressive, but probably not worth making the trek for.
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Where: South Wales
According to UNESCO, “The area around Blaenavon bears eloquent and exceptional testimony to the pre-eminence of South Wales as the world’s major producer of iron and coal in the 19th century.” So that means old coal mines, quarries, railway tracks and furnaces. Sexy stuff.
Land of Frankincense
Where: Oman
It sounds like a three wise men-themed amusement park, but it’s actually a group of frankincense trees and the remains of a caravan oasis. It’s on the list because it represents the importance of the incense trade in the medieval world.
Surtsey
Where: Off the coast of Iceland
Many of the entrants on the UNESCO World Heritage list have been around for thousands of years. Surtsey, on the other hand, made its first appearance in 1963. It’s less than 50 years old and has made it on to the list already – now there’s a fast mover.
The small island burst through the sea after volcanic activity. It is regarded as the perfect spot for understanding how nature evolves on new land.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley
