The Sonic Heritage project has launched 270 sound recordings from UNESCO World Heritage Sites and intangible heritage across 50 countries online to commemorate World Heritage Day. Founded by Stuart Fowkes, Cities and Memory aims to explore the significance of sound in experiencing these renowned locations. Fowkes emphasizes the importance of preserving these soundscapes, which face risks from overtourism. The collection includes surprising audio experiences, such as the echoes of the Taj Mahal and the lively sounds from the Sistine Chapel, as well as sounds from traditional cultural practices like tortilla making.
Have you ever wondered what the Colosseum sounds like? Or Machu Picchu? Or the Sistine Chapel? Well now you can find out, as 270 sounds from Unesco World Heritage Sites, along with items of intangible heritage, from 50 countries, have today been posted online.
Stuart Fowkes, the founder of Cities and Memory, says: "There are no 'blue plaque' schemes for sound, and yet how we record and preserve significant sounds really matters."
These precious soundscapes are perhaps even more at risk from overtourism than any other part of our experience.
According to Fowkes, there are some real surprises in the soundscapes, including the "incredible reverberation of the Taj Mahal, or the unexpected cacophony of the Sistine Chapel".
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