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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Designated As World Heritage Site

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A panorama view of Mission Espada At San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Five missions at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas have been designated a World Heritage Site/NPS

The United Nations has voted to designate San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial missions – four of them already protected as a national park – a World Heritage Site.

On Sunday in Bonn, Germany, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Committee voted to designate the four missions of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, The Alamo, one of the original ranches, and their associated cultural landscapes as a World Heritage Site.

A World Heritage designation brings awareness to the “outstanding universal value” and “cultural significance” of these missions as they join the ranks of other important sites like the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge, and the Giza Pyramid of Egypt.

The UNESCO vote makes the missions the 23rd World Heritage Site in the United States, many of which are also protected as national parks. They include the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Statute of Liberty.

"The World Heritage List recognizes the most significant natural and cultural sites on the planet, and our missions have now earned a prestigious and well-deserved spot on that list," said Suzanne Dixon, senior director of regional operations for the National Parks Conservation Association. "The San Antonio missions represent our nation's largest collection of Spanish colonial resources, and today’s vote secures their place amongst Earth’s greatest landmarks."

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