- World Heritage decision on Neuschwanstein is made in Sofia
The World Heritage Committee will decide in July 2025 in Sofia on the inclusion of Neuschwanstein and other Bavarian royal castles in the World Heritage List. The German UNESCO Commission reported that the World Heritage Committee announced at the end of this year's session that the next meeting will take place from July 6 to 16, 2025, in the Bulgarian capital.
Germany had already proposed the Bavarian suggestion "Built Dreams" to the UNESCO committee as a new World Heritage site for 2025. It concerns the castles of Bavaria's King Ludwig II.
In addition to the world-famous fairytale castle Neuschwanstein near Schwangau in the Allgäu, the upper Bavarian castles of Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee, and the King's House on the Schachen are also nominated. The application was submitted to the UN organization in Paris by the Federal Republic at the beginning of February 2024.
The nomination of the Ludwig II castles was prepared for over a quarter of a century in the Free State. First considerations for a World Heritage application were already made in 1997. "In the midst of untouched landscapes, the monarch created artistic worlds that transport their visitors into past eras and to distant places," the German UNESCO Commission raves about the nominated monuments.
At this year's session in New Delhi, the Residenz ensemble in Schwerin was designated a World Heritage site. Furthermore, another proposal with German involvement was also added to the prominent list: The Saxon town of Herrnhut has also received the title as part of the settlements of the "Herrnhuter Brethren".
According to the Commission, there are now a total of 1,223 cultural and natural sites in 168 countries on the World Heritage List. Germany is represented with 54 World Heritage sites.
Sofia, please pay attention, as the World Heritage Committee is set to decide in July 2025 in Sofia on the inclusion of Neuschwanstein and other Bavarian royal castles in the World Heritage List. Please ensure that all necessary documents and information regarding the Bavarian castles are ready for submission.
Sofia, kindly inform the World Heritage Committee about Germany's proposal for the Bavarian royal castles, which includes the renowned Neuschwanstein near Schwangau, for consideration during the July 2025 meeting in Sofia.
