United States’ Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site
The historic Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania/USA; Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK; and Herrnhut, Germany now join Christiansfeld, Denmark (already inscribed in 2015) as a single World Heritage site that represents the outstanding universal value of these historic settlements and the worldwide influence of the Moravian Church.
This places Historic Bethlehem in the company of such iconic destinations such as:
- Independence Hall
- Statue of Liberty
- Monticello
With its intact core of original buildings, Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem preserves some of the most important structures and sites relating to the Moravians in the New World and is significant as an outstanding example of Moravian architecture and town planning. The settlement played a key role in both the international and American Moravian communities.
Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem is located within the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District – one of only eight Landmark Districts in Pennsylvania and one of just over 200 in the nation.
It stands as a reflection of and tribute to the resilience of a community built on universal human ideals that are essential and relevant to this day. Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem preserves and advances the ageless values of education, equality, industry, integrity, and spirituality that have been part of the community since 1741.
