The Alamo Granted World Heritage Site Status

The San Antonio Missions—five frontier missions that include The Alamo—were named among a group of new World Heritage Sites.

1 minute read

July 7, 2015, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced that the San Antonio Missions, including The Alamo, were among a group of cultural sites added to the organization's World Heritage List. 

"The site encompasses a group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a stretch of the San Antonio River basin in southern Texas, as well as a ranch located 37 kilometres to the south. It includes architectural and archaeological structures, farmlands, residencies, churches and granaries, as well as water distribution systems," according to a July 5 announcement by UNESCO. The Associated Press also picked up the news of The Alamo's new status as a World Heritage Site.

The World Heritage List acknowledges special cultural and physical significance, and once on the list, sites are eligible for the World Heritage Fund. Over 1,000 sites are included on the list.

A series of July 5 announcements described the other sites added to the list. Among the other sites designated for the list, a group of 20 industrial sites in Japan from the 23 Meiji period (1868-1912) prompted coverage by Justin McCurry for The Guardian.

Sunday, July 5, 2015 in UNESCO

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

30 minutes ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board