7 Fascinating Former Lives of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Protection and preservation are the pillars that founded the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage list in 1972. Ensuring the longevity of the most important natural and cultural sites on Earth through legal stewardship, the program currently includes 1,157 wonders in 167 countries and the list grows each year. Many, like Angkor Wat, the Pyramids of Giza, or Machu Picchu, are quite familiar to us, seen in history books or—for lucky travelers—in person. But as well-known as some of these landmark sites may feel, a deeper look into history reveals some unexpected origin stories.