Why Maritime Greenwich is a World Heritage Site
Echoes of the past resonate through the heart of Greenwich. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its architectural, scientific, maritime and royal associations, Greenwich has taken its place alongside such other aesthetically important sites as Westminster Abbey, Venice and the Taj Mahal.
Situated on the bank of the River Thames in south east London, it possesses an ensemble of architecturally significant buildings. As the home of the world’s Prime Meridian – Longitude 0˚ – and of Greenwich Mean Time, its scientific importance in the development of navigation is inestimable.
Greenwich has played a key role in the story of Britain’s seapower for over 400 years and today its museums celebrate its maritime history. These attributes, combined with close links to England’s Tudor and Stuart sovereigns, give Greenwich an unrivalled symbolic identity.
Greenwich Park, the oldest of London’s royal parks, and the town centre, lie within the World Heritage Site boundary. Located here are the many attractions that make Greenwich a place of international significance.
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