Maritime Greenwich was
inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO* in 1997.
| Old
Royal Naval College |
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When you come to visit us, we’re
sure that you will agree that Maritime Greenwich rightfully stands
among the most important sites in the world, alongside places like
the
Taj Mahal, Versailles
and the historic centres of Venice, Florence and Bath.
Greenwich is recognised for its cultural
heritage:
- the grandeur and sheer beauty of its buildings;
- the magnificent vistas and views across London;
- its royal history, as the birthplace of both Henry VIII and
Elizabeth I, among others
- its naval and sea-faring history - the Old Royal Naval College
was built originally as a hospital for veteran sailors and Admiral
Lord Nelson lay in state in its Painted Hall prior to his funeral.
The National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark are also within
the WHS boundaries;
- its scientific accomplishments – with Greenwich Mean
Time and Longitude 0°, Greenwich is the centre of time and space.
The ensemble of buildings set in and around the oldest
Royal Park in London and bordered to the north by the River Thames
reads like a who’s who of British architecture.
Sir Christopher
Wren, Inigo Jones, Sir John Vanbrugh, Nicholas Hawksmoor and Joseph
Kay all have important and beautiful examples of their work here,
which together constitute the World Heritage Site.
As you wander through
the WHS you will experience views and vistas that have changed little
since Canaletto painted it almost three hundred years ago. Back
then, you would have met seafarers and ship builders, scientists,
boatmen and fishermen. Now you are more likely to encounter students
and visitors from all over the world who have come to appreciate
not only the inspirational architecture, magnificent open spaces
and exceptional museum collections, but also to enjoy the lively
shopping experience and year-round programme of events.
When you visit the Royal
Observatory you can stand astride the Prime Meridian – Longitude
0° - with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and the other in
the west and you can check your watch against Greenwich Mean Time.
World Heritage Site status
recognises Maritime Greenwich’s importance as a place of international
significance. A management plan, reviewed every five years, aims
to preserve its character and promote its cultural and educational
resources. Guidelines have been set to conserve and interpret the
Site for future generations. The opening of the Old Royal Naval
College and the restoration of the Dreadnought Hospital are part
of the regeneration that has taken place within the site since 1997.
A copy of the current
management plan is available for download below. Alternatively,
please use the contact form to
request a printed copy.
The document below is
in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe
Acrobat Reader. Please click on the Adobe image on the left
of the page, to download Acrobat Reader.
(*United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation)
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1.5Mb
