The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to inscribe the Aalto Works on the World Heritage List at its 48th session held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 19 to 29 July 2026. The property comprises 13 modern architectural sites across Finland designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto. 

The Aalto Works represents the Aaltos’ humanistic modernism and highlights the role of architecture in the development of the welfare society. At the same time, it reflects their significant contribution to the international evolution of modern architecture. 

The Aalto Works comprises the following 13 sites: Alvar Aalto Atelier, the Aalto House, Finlandia Hall, the Social Insurance Institution headquarters and Helsinki Hall of Culture (Kulttuuritalo) in Helsinki, Jyväskylä University Aalto Campus, Muuratsalo Experimental House and Säynätsalo Town Hall in Jyväskylä, Paimio Sanatorium, Seinäjoki Civic Centre, Sunila Residential Area in Kotka, Villa Mairea in Pori, and the Church of the Three Crosses in Imatra. 

“The inscription of Aalto Works on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a significant international recognition of Finnish modern architecture. It raises awareness of the Aaltos’ work and Finland’s cultural heritage and expertise in architecture. At the same time, it commits us to safeguarding our cultural heritage in the long term so that we transmit this unique legacy to future generations. It also opens up new opportunities for cooperation and tourism. I hope it will encourage people from Finland and abroad alike to discover these exceptional Aalto sites,” says Mari-Leena Talvitie, Minister of Science and Culture. 

World Heritage sites in Finland 

With Aalto Works, Finland now has eight World Heritage sites. Of these, seven are cultural sites and one is a natural site. 

Finland’s World Heritage sites are the Fortress of Suomenlinna (1991), Old Rauma (1991), Petäjävesi Old Church (1994), Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (1996), Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki (1999), Struve Geodetic Arc (2005), High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago (2006) and Aalto Works (2026). 

The World Heritage List brings together the world’s most significant cultural and natural heritage sites. It currently includes more than 1,240 sites across the globe. 

The World Heritage List and the Tentative List 

Properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which consists of representatives of 21 States Parties. The Committee evaluates new nominations and monitors the state and protection of World Heritage properties. 

Before nomination, a property must be included on a State Party’s Tentative List. It comprises properties which are considered to have Outstanding Universal Value and may be nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List in the future. The Tentative List is revised approximately every ten years. 

The World Heritage Convention 

The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty that was adopted by UNESCO in 1972. It aims to identify, protect and conserve cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value to humanity. Finland ratified the Convention in 1987. 

The Convention is based on cooperation between States and a shared responsibility for preserving cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value for future generations.  

Inquiries: 

Mirva Mattila, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 269, firstname.lastname(at)gov.fi 

Stefan Wessman, Senior Adviser, Finnish Heritage Agency, tel. +358 295 336 256, firstname.lastname(at)museovirasto.fi 

Read more 

Aalto Works nomination for the World Heritage List - Finnish Heritage Agency 

Aalto Works sites - Alvar Aalto Foundation 

World Heritage List - UNESCO World Heritage Centre