Moravian Church Settlements named UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The specialized cultural agency of the United Nations has extended its recognition of the Moravian Church Settlements around the world to include sites in Germany, the United States and Northern Ireland.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday designated the settlements of Herrnhut in Saxony in eastern Germany, Bethlehem in Pennsylvania in the United States and Gracehill outside Ballymena in Northern Ireland as World Heritage Sites.

Christiansfeld in Denmark was already listed as a World Heritage Site in 2015.

All three settlements were established in the 18th century by refugees of one of the oldest Protestant denominations. The Moravian Church has its roots in the 15th century Bohemian Reformation in what is now the Czech Republic, some 60 years before Martin Luther's Reformation.

"Each settlement has its own architectural character based on ideals of the Moravian Church but adapted to local conditions," UNESCO stated on its website.

"Together, they represent the transnational scope and consistency of the international Moravian community as a global network.

"There is an active congregation present in each component part, where traditions are continued and constitute a living Moravian heritage."

UNESCO is holding its 46th session in the Indian capital New Delhi, which is scheduled to end on Wednesday. One of the main tasks of the meeting is to announce new World Heritage Sites and review existing ones.