*4.2. UNESCO and WHC-Certified Religious Routes*

UNESCO and WHC have certified four religious routes. Each route has its own page on the UNESCO and WHC website. On these pages, there are detailed descriptions of the routes under the headings "Description, Outstanding Universal Value and Criterias, Integrity, Authenticity, Protection and Management Requirements" (UNESCO and WHC 2023).

The religious identity of the route, the destination point, the countries it covers, the length, the extent of the area, the date of the first trip, the number of years it has been used, the date of inclusion on the World Heritage List, the holy places, the architectural heritage on the route, the archaeological sites, natural areas, and landscapes are all explained in the Description section (UNESCO and WHC 2023). Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain is an extension of a network of four Christian pilgrimage routes in Northern Spain. It is approximately 1500 km long. It has a total area of 16,285.7156 hectares. The route is thought to have been used since the tomb was discovered in the 9th century. In 1993, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List. It has a rich architectural heritage that includes cathedrals, churches, hospitals, hostels, and bridges (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993).

The Outstanding Universal Value section comprises Brief Synthesis and Criteria subsections. The description section is expanded upon in Brief Synthesis. Furthermore, heritage values considered to have outstanding universal value along the route are mentioned. These values are typically associated with areas of historical, religious, art, architecture, cultural landscape, and natural heritage. For example, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem's outstanding universal value is that it is the birthplace of Jesus. Both Christians and Muslims revere the churches in Bethlehem, the route's destination (UNESCO and WHC-BPJ 2012). Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range have extraordinary universal value because they reflect a 1200 year-old sacred mountain tradition. This tradition reflects the interaction of the religions of Shinto and Buddhism (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). Rituals, festivals, beliefs, legends, and traditions associated with the route are also important components of the route. For example, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range's sacred mountain tradition, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, and Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations are considered in this context. Furthermore, the dissemination of route information, people's contributions to the socioeconomic situation, and the establishment of cultural dialogue between travelers and locals are emphasized. Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain, for

example, have fostered a cultural dialogue between travelers and locals, thereby supporting local economic and social development (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993).

The Outstanding Universal Values criteria section has ten items, and cultural routes must meet at least one of these ten. Item vi, however, is not accepted on its own; it is evaluated in conjunction with one of the other items. The Criteria section explains briefly which of the ten criteria defines the Outstanding Universal Value feature. Some of the items, ii, iii, iv, and vi, can be found on the religious routes. Criteria ii determinants are factors that facilitate the exchange of religious values, such as interreligious interaction, being the birthplace of a religious belief, a religion contributing to the development of a settlement, and encouraging other communities to come here (UNESCO and WHC 2005). Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain play an important role in the cultural exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and the European continent (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993). The Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes is a synthesis of the East Asian religions of Shintoism and Buddhism (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). The Criterion (iii) determinants are that they are the only descriptors of a religion with its temples and rituals, or that they have witnessed the evolution of that religion over time. Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range bear witness to the evolution of Japan's religious culture over a thousand years (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). Criteria iv determinants are religious structures and religious cultural landscapes that are effective in religion development. Because religious development takes centuries, religious buildings and sanctuaries in archaeological and settlement areas are also considered determinants of this criterion. The Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain's historic buildings and residential areas (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993) and the Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, the Kii Mountains are the 1200-year-old site of Japan's shrines and temples (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). Criteria vi is determined by its connection to a religious event, tradition, or belief of exceptional universal significance. This criterion is fulfilled by the Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993), the power and influence of faith, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004), the sacred mountain tradition, the Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (UNESCO and WHC-BPJ 2012).

The components of religious routes are defined in the Integrity section, and it is emphasized that these components should be considered as a whole. Routes, settlements, access roads, buildings, sanctuaries, sacred places, lands, landscapes, archaeological sites, affected communities, contexts, processes, mnemonic forces and symbols, traditions, beliefs, ceremonies, crafts, and cultural exchanges are all components of religious routes. In route planning, all of these elements should be considered together. There should also be a buffer zone to protect the route. For example, temples and shrines in the Kii Mountain Range, paths, Shintoism–Buddhism–Shugen Sect beliefs and interactions, cultural landscapes, and a protective buffer zone all demonstrate integrity (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route includes the cave believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the monastic community, the terraced lands, the ancient city and evidence of burials dating back to 2000 B.C., the main streets leading to the Church of the Nativity, religious ceremonies, traditions, workshops opening onto the streets and the protective buffer zone shows integrity (UNESCO and WHC-BPJ 2012). These buffer zones act as a protective barrier against possible dangers to preserve the values of the heritage site. Natural disasters, human activities, and industrial developments are all potential dangers. The most anticipated dangers are excessive tourism, dense construction, a rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles, insufficient parking space, environmental pollution, damage to historical buildings, and a lack of restoration.

The authenticity of the routes is determined by three different aspects in the Authenticity section: form and design, materials and substances, and use and function. The form and design of religious routes are determined by their characteristics of being a historical and real route. It should be based on a real person or event, retain historical details, and

be correctly expressed. Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain, for an instance, derive their authenticity value from the fact that their history and integrity have been preserved (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993). The primary materials and substances of religious routes are their routes, religious structures, rituals and practices. For example, the routes used in Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France (UNESCO and WHC-RSCF 1998); churches, temples, hospitals, bridges, rest stops; religious scenes and legends testify to their authenticity value. In Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, the journeys and the tradition of building wooden structures are religious rituals and practices (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004). The use and function of religious routes is related to the fact that the route and its components are still in use today. All religious routes of UNESCO and WHC are used by travelers and pilgrims today as they come from history.

The section on protection and management requirements includes the creation of protective laws and management plans. In this context, studies such as route and historical building registration, property determination, regulation of new construction conditions, natural site protection, authority determination, financial funds, maintenance periods for building and road maintenance and repair, and the creation of protective buffer zones should be carried out. Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain have been registered in the category of Historic Complex as the highest level of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) under the Spanish Historic Heritage Law. Crown Property owns the route, which is managed by the Jacobean Council (Consejo Jacobeo). This committee is in charge of furthering the route's promotion and cultural dissemination, preserving and restoring its historical and artistic heritage, organizing and promoting tourism, and assisting pilgrims. It is the responsibility of the municipalities through which the route passes to carry out activities such as industrial and urban growth and development, new transportation infrastructure like highways and railways, increased tourism, and pressure caused by the number of pilgrims, whilst not causing damage to the route (UNESCO and WHC-SCFNS 1993). The key principles and methodology for the conservation and management of Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range are outlined in the 2003 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The buildings along the route have been designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese Law on Cultural Property Protection. The same law designates temple and tomb areas, pilgrimage routes, and the forest landscape surrounding them as Historical Sites, Places of Natural Beauty, and Natural Monuments. Relevant religious organizations are in charge of temple and shrine protection and maintenance. The national government finances and provides technical assistance for restoration and repair projects. The academic committees report on the route's protection and management status on a regular basis (UNESCO and WHC-SSPR 2004).
