The Landscape of Light, Madrid's first World Heritage site, in images

1The Madrid City Council, in collaboration with the Community of Madrid and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, has promoted Madrid's candidacy to be part of the Unesco list, which includes the Paseo del Prado and the Retiro Park, with its corresponding environment.

In the image, several people walk along the Paseo del Prado, taking advantage of the traffic cut.

Santi Burgos

2The technical committee for the current candidacy was formed in 2014, with Ana Botella (PP) as mayor, and in 2020 an advertising campaign designed by Manuel Estrada, 2017 National Design Award winner, was launched. Víctor Sainz

3The Paseo del Prado and the Retiro Park already aspired to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992, but the candidacy did not reach the final stage of the process.

In the image, several people enjoy the shade provided by the trees on the Paseo del Prado, this Saturday afternoon.

Victor Sainz

4Unesco's World Heritage List, which includes sites of outstanding universal value, was created in 1972 and is made up of 1,121 sites, spread throughout the world.

In the image, people walking near the monument to Alfonso XII, this Saturday night.

VICTOR SAINZ

5According to the Unesco report, the Paseo del Prado has the necessary values ​​to be declared a World Heritage Site: exceptionality and uniqueness.

In the image, a man walks this Sunday with his dogs.

Santi Burgos

6The inscription of the Landscape of Light in the UNESCO list should have been known a year ago, but the decision was postponed to this month of July due to the pandemic.

In the image, the Neptune fountain.

Santi Burgos

7The 'Landscape of Light' includes the Paseo del Prado between Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Carlos V, together with El Retiro Park, and the Jerónimos neighborhood.

Located in the heart of the Spanish capital, it has an area of ​​190 hectares, of which 75% are green spaces.

Victor Sainz

8 Throughout history, this Madrid space has evolved with the development of the city;

It is considered as a cultural landscape, it allows the enjoyment of nature and fulfills the objective of the Enlightenment: to spread the Arts and Sciences for the education and instruction of the population, without distinction of classes.

In the image, several people pass in front of the Apollo fountain, on the Paseo del Prado, this Sunday.

Victor Sainz

9In the large Retiro Park, which houses outstanding architectural, sculptural and landscape ensembles from the 17th to 21st centuries, such as the monument to Alfonso XII, the Crystal Palace, the Grande Pond, the Parterre, the Puerta de Felipe IV or the fountain of the Artichoke, among others.

VICTOR SAINZ

10Detail of one of the Four Fountains, located in the Paseo del Prado, Madrid.

Santi Burgos

11Spain, with a total of 48, is one of the countries that, together with Italy and China, have the largest number of declared sites.

In the image, several people sitting on the lawn near the Prado Museum, on Saturday evening.

Victor Sainz

12The Candidate Landscape houses other great monuments such as the Puerta de Alcalá or the Cibeles, Apolo and Neptuno fountains.

In the image, the Puerta de Alcalá seen from the Retiro park, last night.

VICTOR SAINZ

13The Unesco World Heritage List was created in 1972 by the Convention on World Cultural and Natural Heritage, of which Spain became a party in 1984. In the image, people walking along the Paseo del Prado, yesterday by the afternoon.

Victor Sainz