Maritime Greenwich was
inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO*
in 1997.
| Old
Royal Naval College |
 |
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. 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.
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)
|
1.5Mb
