The Acropolis of Athens, including the Parthenon, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
UNESCO’s listing covers the entire Acropolis archaeological site rather than treating the Parthenon as an independent World Heritage property. The hilltop complex also includes the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Together, these monuments represent the achievements of Athens during its fifth-century BCE building programme.
A common mix-up is to date the listing to the construction of the Parthenon, which began in 447 BCE and was substantially complete by about 438 BCE. The UNESCO date is modern: it records when the Acropolis was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The site was listed under cultural criteria recognizing its architectural influence, historical importance, and exceptional artistic achievement.