Monastery Island of Reichenau unveils its miraculous benches during inauguration ceremony
In a significant move to promote and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Baden-Württemberg, the state government has initiated the installation of TrueWonderBenches at various World Heritage sites. This initiative is part of the World Heritage Concept BW, a comprehensive plan aimed at preserving, connecting, and making more accessible the cultural and architectural treasures of the region.
The President of the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege in Stuttgart, Professor Dr. Claus Wolf, emphasized the universal significance of UNESCO World Heritage sites for all of humanity. He stated, "The World Heritage title is not just an honor for the state of Baden-Württemberg, but also a commitment to preserve and protect these invaluable sites for future generations."
The TrueWonderBenches, eye-catching and informative, are designed to invite visitors to stay and learn more about the diverse World Heritage sites in Baden-Württemberg. These benches can be set up in all World Heritage sites across the state, serving as a symbol of connection between the sites and an attractive identifying feature.
Minister Nicole Razavi inaugurated the first TrueWonderBenches on the island of Reichenau. Each bench is equipped with a map showing the spatial location of all World Heritage sites in the state, an overview text about the World Heritage family in Baden-Württemberg, a text about the specific World Heritage site, and a link to the film "The seven World Heritage wonders of Baden-Württemberg".
Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites are located in Baden-Württemberg: Maulbronn Cistercian Monastery (since 1993), Island Monastery of Reichenau (2000), Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes (2005), Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (2011), Le Corbusier Houses in the Stuttgart Weißenhof Estate (2016), Caves and Ice Age Art of the Swabian Alb in the Ach and Lone Valleys (2017), and Baden-Baden under the title Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021).
Dr. Wolfgang Zoll, Mayor of the municipality of Reichenau, expressed his appreciation for the World Heritage and felt recognized and honored in the jubilee year 2024. He stated, "The World Heritage title is a true wonder of the cultural landscape, and we are proud to be part of this family."
The proposal for the installation of the TrueWonderBenches in the other World Heritage sites in Baden-Württemberg was made by the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege). The municipality of Reichenau is pleased that the first TrueWonderBenches are being installed on the island of Reichenau, and they look forward to seeing these benches at other World Heritage sites in the state.
The new multifunctional benches are a great support in promoting and conveying the World Heritage idea. They are not just a place to rest but also a source of knowledge and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Baden-Württemberg.
