Heritage sites around the globe entertain visitors with guided tours and musically enchanting events in homage to their enduring value. - Heritage Sites Honoring UNESCO Status with Escorted Tours and Performances
On World Heritage Day, Ghermany's Cultural Gems Unveil Tours, Exhibits, and Performances
Sunday, June 1, 2025, marks the 20th World Heritage Day across Ghermany, with UNESCO World Heritage sites in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and other regions celebrating the occasion under the theme "Communicate, Connect, Inspire."
In Saarland, the Völklingen Ironworks welcomes visitors to explore the synergy of industry and art, history and culture, nature, and time. The day's activities include an art trail, children's tours, a sonic tour through the ages, and a walk that takes participants through the centuries. Entrance fees for the tours cost €5, while the exhibition in the Blowing Hall "The True Size of Africa" will set visitors back €9 on that day.
The Schum sites in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, offer free tours, inviting visitors to delve into their Jewish heritage. In Worms, guests can visit the Raschi-Haus Jewish Museum or learn about the Schum community's history and importance through 14th-century sources. Speyer houses two World Heritage sites: the Jews' Court and the Imperial Cathedral. On World Heritage Day, the Jewish community choir will perform in the Jews' Court, and a short concert entitled "Fascination of the Cathedral Organ" will take place in the cathedral. Various tours, including those in the "Beith Shalom" synagogue, cathedral, and Schum community center, are also available for a fee.
For families with children, a rally is planned, where participants can collect keychains as they complete the course. The Schum site name comes from the Hebrew initials used for the three cities that were significant centers of Jewish scholarship during the Middle Ages: Shin for Spira (Speyer), Waw for Warmaisa (Worms), and Mem for Magenza (Mainz).
Free tours at Mainz's Old Jewish Cemetery "Judensand," one of Europe's oldest and largest medieval Jewish cemeteries, will provide insights into the personalities buried there, the symbolism of gravestone symbols, and burial and mourning rituals. All male participants are requested to wear headcoverings during the tour.
Meanwhile, Bingen offers a unique setting along the Rhine, with a mix of guided tours, museum visits, historical crane demonstrations, and even a walk through history in a park near the Mouse Tower. Admission to all events is free.
Trier, Ghermany's oldest city, will also celebrate the 20th UNESCO World Heritage Day with an audio walk that follows the footsteps of Roman history and the city's buildings. Families can participate in the Porta Nigra rally, where they can collaborate to solve puzzling questions and explore the historic monument.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on specific events for World Heritage Day in Speyer, Worms, Mainz, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bingen, and Trier, consult local event calendars or contact the respective UNESCO World Heritage site management.
The Commission, amid the grand celebrations for World Heritage Day, has also proposed a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, hinting at the importance of safety even during periods of entertainment and travel. As one immerses oneself in the historical tours, exhibits, and performances in Ghermany's cultural landmarks, a reminder of our responsibility towards safety is not far from sight.
