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Last week, Minister for International Relations Eluned
Morgan made the case in Paris for the site to be
recognised by UNESCO for its unique contribution to the
cultural heritage of the world.
The Industrial Revolution was powered by coal from the
South Wales Valleys, but the homes people lived in and
the factories where they worked were covered with slate,
which was quarried by hard-working and skilled men in the
mountains of Northwest Wales.
Shipped from harbours in Gwynedd to ports across the
globe, Welsh slate can still be found on the roofs of
buildings around the world.
The remarkable scale of the quarries, which were
connected by railways which snaked through the mountains
to the sea ports, and the surrounding slate towns show
how industry changed an agricultural community to an
industrial society. The area is a living testimony to the
ingenuity of the slate workers.
If successful, the landscape would become the fourth
world heritage site in Wales, joining the Blaenavon
Industrial Landscape, the Castles and Town Walls of King
Edward I in Gwynedd and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and
Canal.
In 2016, it was estimated that UNESCO-designated sites in
the UK bring more than £100million into the economy each
year.
Whilst at the Headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, the
Minister met with Matthew Lodge, Minister and Ambassador
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to UNESCO; and Moez
Chakchouk, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for
Communication and Information, to discuss the bid
further.
The Minister for International Relations said
she hopes the status would help “revive and grow the
economy” of the slate areas.
The Minister said: “The Slate Landscape of Northwest
Wales is rich in geological, social, economic
and cultural heritage, and it’s said that this area of
Gwynedd roofed the 19thcentury world, with
huge amounts of slate mined in the area and exported
internationally.
“This nomination is a celebration of the work of the
generations of men and women who lived, worked and shaped
our land, and we are connecting with their legacy through
this nomination.
“This is a story that really resonates with local
communities and with visitors - thousands come each year
to experience these spectacular landscapes; to enjoy our
National Slate Museum, ride the Blaenau Ffestiniog and
Talyllyn railways and experience our unique culture, all
of which boost employment and the local
economy”.
“While the final decision lies with UNESCO, in my
view the area absolutely merits World Heritage Site
status.”
Beyond the bid, the Minister also discussed opportunities
for future Welsh Government engagement with UNESCO, along
with the International Strategy for Wales and the UN Year
of Indigenous Languages.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “We are delighted that the
Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales will be put forward as
the next UK nomination for inscription as a World
Heritage Site. Wales has a unique and varied industrial
heritage that is rightly celebrated.
“This nomination provides further recognition of the
this outstanding landscape - of something which is
rooted in our own geology and culture, but has global
significance.”
Beyond the bid, the Minister also discussed opportunities
for future Welsh Government engagement with UNESCO, along
with the International Strategy for Wales and the UN Year
of Indigenous Languages.
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