Poland granted new site on UNESCO World Heritage List

KRAKOW, July 10 (Xinhua) -- On Sunday, July 9, Tarnowskie Gory silver, lead and zinc mining region and its underground water management system was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the 15th site in Poland.

The Committee acknowledged the cultural value of the region and its industrial role in earlier ages.

Located in Upper Silesia, southern Poland, one of the main mining areas of central Europe, Tarnowskie Gory site includes the entire underground mine with shafts, galleries and water management system. Most of the site is situated underground, and the surface mining topography features the remains of the 19th century steam water pumping station.

Tarnowskie Gory represents a significant contribution to the global production of lead and zinc, the UNESCO noted.

Tarnowskie Gory was the only industrial region entered on the list.

"We count on further Polish entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List," Polish Culture Minister Piotr Glinski said Monday. So far, Poland has 15 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The 41st session of the World Heritage Committee is held on July 2 to 12 in Poland's southern city of Krakow.