![Aerial shot of Fort Everdingen part of Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie Aerial shot of Fort Everdingen part of Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie](/upload_mm/8/b/a/77915_fullimage_aerial%20shot%20of%20fort%20everdingen%20%C2%A9%20light%20and%20vision%20via%20shutterstock.jpg)
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands
12 locations, 12 stories, 12 highlights of the Netherlands
They vary greatly in size, age and beauty, but each of our 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites tells a remarkable story and creates a unique and beautiful image of our rich history. These are places that shaped Dutch society and represent our urge for innovation and talent for dealing with water. Join us on a journey along the 12 official UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Netherlands. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the area, there’s a 13th site in the historic city center of Willemstad on the beautiful island of Curaçao.
Dutch culture
![Stelling van Amsterdam Fort bij Veldhuis Stelling van Amsterdam Fort bij Veldhuis](/upload_mm/f/9/4/80689_fullimage_stelling%20van%20amsterdam%20fort%20bij%20veldhuis%20%C2%A9%20hanno%20lans.jpg)
How UNESCO World Heritage tells the story of the Netherlands
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands tell the story of the country and the Dutch people.
Hidden in nature
![People holding a photo People holding a photo](/upload_mm/d/2/9/77507_fullimage_kolonien%20van%20weldadigheid%20mensen%20houden%20foto%20vast%20%C2%A9%20marketing%20drenthe_430x330.jpg)
Visit the Colonies of Benevolence
This is why the Colonies of Benevolence are typically Dutch.
![Windmill in De Beemster Windmill in De Beemster](/upload_mm/4/5/6/78125_fullimage_molen%20in%20de%20beemster%201600x%20%C2%A9%20holland%20boven%20amsterdam_430x330.jpg)
Droogmakerij de Beemster
World heritage De Beemster is a master class in wrestling land from the sea in the 17th century and tells the history of the Waterland area.
![Lady looking at Hollandse Waterlinie Fort Everdingen Lady looking at Hollandse Waterlinie Fort Everdingen](/upload_mm/e/3/1/83095_fullimage_hollandse%20waterlinie%20%C2%A9%20bynomads_430x330_547x366.jpg)
Visit the Dutch Water Defence Lines
The Dutch Water Defence Lines: an ingenious form of defence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel back in time
![Utrecht Rietveld Schroderhuis Utrecht Rietveld Schroderhuis](/upload_mm/4/1/5/80634_fullimage_utrecht%20rietveld%20schroderhuis%20%C2%A9%20merel%20tuk%20via%20nbtc.jpg)
![Logo Van Nellefabriek Rotterdam Logo Van Nellefabriek Rotterdam](/upload_mm/6/f/5/80458_fullimage_van%20nellefabriek%20rotterdam%20logo%20op%20pand%20%C2%A9%20365%20focus%20photography%20via%20shutterstock.jpg)
Reaching for the stars
![Interior of Eise Eisinga Planetarium Interior of Eise Eisinga Planetarium](/upload_mm/4/f/5/68849_fullimage_eise-eisinga.jpg)
Discover Eise Eisinga
Discover UNESCO World Heritage Site Eise Eisinga; the oldest functioning planetarium in the world.
Our UNESCO story
![32 kilometer long Afsluitdijk part of Zuiderzee works and connects 2 provinces 32 kilometer long Afsluitdijk part of Zuiderzee works and connects 2 provinces](/upload_mm/2/1/2/80774_fullimage_afsluitdijk%20verticaal_840x1455.jpg)
![Couple walking arm in arm Kolonien van Weldadigheid Couple walking arm in arm Kolonien van Weldadigheid](/upload_mm/1/8/2/77508_fullimage_kolonien%20van%20weldadigheid%20koppel%20loopt%20gearmd%20%C2%A9%20marketing%20drenthe_840x484.jpg)
![Keizersgracht in Amsterdam Keizersgracht in Amsterdam](/upload_mm/c/3/8/426_fullimage_keizersgracht%20in%20amsterdam%20%C2%A9%20jjhv%20via%20istock_840x484.jpg)
![Aerial shot of Fort Everdingen part of Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie Aerial shot of Fort Everdingen part of Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie](/upload_mm/0/6/c/77915_fullimage_aerial%20shot%20of%20fort%20everdingen%20%C2%A9%20light%20and%20vision%20via%20shutterstock_840x485.jpg)
![Wouda pumping station in Lemmer is the largest steam pumping station Wouda pumping station in Lemmer is the largest steam pumping station](/upload_mm/3/5/8/80775_fullimage_woudagemaal%20unesco%20verticaal_840x1455.jpg)
![Kinderdijk at sunset Kinderdijk at sunset](/upload_mm/6/f/8/78150_fullimage_windmills_840x485_472x560.jpg)
![Schokland Noordoostpolder Flevoland Schokland Noordoostpolder Flevoland](/upload_mm/d/2/9/72015_fullimage_schokland%20noordoostpolder%20via%20flevoland_840x484_459x455.jpg)
![Windmill in De Beemster Windmill in De Beemster](/upload_mm/5/f/d/78125_fullimage_molen%20in%20de%20beemster%201600x%20%C2%A9%20holland%20boven%20amsterdam_840x485.jpg)
![Stairwell Van Nelle Factory Rotterdam Stairwell Van Nelle Factory Rotterdam](/upload_mm/9/c/d/80776_fullimage_van%20nelle%20unesco%20verticaal_840x1455.jpg)
The Wadden spectacle
![Mud flat of the 'waddenzee' during low tide under scenic dramatic sunset sky with clouds Mud flat of the 'waddenzee' during low tide under scenic dramatic sunset sky with clouds](/upload_mm/4/d/9/80825_fullimage_wad%20van%20de%20waddenzee%20tijdens%20eb%20onder%20dramatische%20zonsondergang%20met%20wolkenlucht%20%C2%A9%20fotografiecornl%20via%20shutterstock.jpg)
Wadden Sea – a natural treasure
Experience the unique Wadden area, from mudflat walking to stargazing.
From mills to limes
![](/upload_mm/4/2/5/78132_fullimage_windmills.jpg)
![](/upload_mm/7/6/b/78158_fullimage_gezicht%20van%20nijmegen%20%28romeins%20masker%29%20op%20stadseiland%20veur-lent%20%C2%A9%20photography%20jurjen%20drenth%20via%20visitnijmegen.jpg)
A nation living with water
![Woudagemaal Machine Steam Engine Woudagemaal Machine Steam Engine](/upload_mm/9/b/9/52769_fullimage_dhp_10943_1360x785_430x330.jpg)
The Woudagemaal
The Woudagemaal, located in the Frisian town of Lemmer, is the largest, steam powered pumping station in the world that is still in operation today.
![Keizersgracht in Amsterdam Keizersgracht in Amsterdam](/upload_mm/4/7/8/426_fullimage_keizersgracht%20in%20amsterdam%20%C2%A9%20jjhv%20via%20istock_430x330.jpg)
The Canals of Amsterdam
A stunningly designed ravel of canals that give Amsterdam its unique character.
![Schokland Noordoostpolder Flevoland Schokland Noordoostpolder Flevoland](/upload_mm/c/a/a/72015_fullimage_schokland%20noordoostpolder%20via%20flevoland_430x330_459x455.jpg)
Schokland
Visit this former island in Flevoland and discover its many monuments and archaeological treasures.