New World Heritage sites for Italy

Italy now boasts three more Unesco World Heritage sites following the latest meeting of the Unesco commission in Canada on July 8th.

The decisions made in Quebec City bring the total number of protected sites in Italy to an impressive 43.

Unesco declared that the destinations of Mantova and Sabbioneta should be added to the World Heritage list, as well as the Retica Railway, which is shared with Switzerland.

Mantova and Sabbioneta, both of which occupy an important place in Italian history, were described as "extraordinary examples of Renaissance architecture and city planning".

The Retica Railway, which crosses the Alps between Italy and Switzerland, is recognised as one of the most scenic railways in Europe.

Other World Heritage sites in Italy include the historic centre of Florence, the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany and the centre of Rome.

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