Snowdonia's historic quarries could become next Unesco heritage site
Wales is slated for UN award: Snowdonia’s quarries that ‘roofed the 19th century world’ could become next Unesco heritage site
- PM Boris Johnson described Snowdonia as ‘an area of remarkable uniqueness’
- Bologna, Nice and the Ribeira Sacra wine district, Spain, also going for UNESCO
- Liverpool was stripped of world heritage status last week due to developments along its waterfront
An area of Wales famed for its slate industry is bidding to become Britain’s next Unesco world heritage site.
Snowdonia’s quarries are said to have ‘roofed the 19th century world’, including Copenhagen city hall and the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.
The slate landscape is up against bids from Bologna, Nice and the Ribeira Sacra wine district of Spain.
Liverpool was stripped of world heritage status last week due to developments along its waterfront.
Picturesque quarries in Snowdonia, Wales, which could become a Unesco World Heritage site
Backing the Welsh bid, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the region as ‘an area of remarkable uniqueness and breath-taking beauty’.
A decision from Unesco is due in the coming days.
Unesco is said to have warned that Stonehenge could be the next British site to lose its coveted status if a £1.7bn road tunnel goes ahead as planned.
Slate has been quarried in Wales for more than 1,800 years.
Archaeologist Dr David Gwyn, who is part of the bid team, said: ‘The slate industry is an iconic feature of north Wales, and of the Welsh nation as a whole, and has been of overwhelming importance in shaping our social and economic landscape.’
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