Seychelles Reaches Major Milestone in UNESCO World Heritage Nomination for Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture is pleased to announce that the Nomination Dossier for the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town has successfully passed the technical completeness check conducted by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, marking an important step forward in the process of inscribing the site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Seychelles has formally informed that the nomination file has been determined technically complete and has now been officially registered for evaluation under the procedures of the World Heritage Convention.
This confirmation means that the nomination dossier submitted by Seychelles, including the Management Plan, maps, site boundaries, legal protection framework, and supporting documentation, meets UNESCO’s strict technical and formal requirements.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Amanda Bernstein, welcomed the development:
“This achievement marks a significant milestone in Seychelles’ efforts to secure international recognition for one of our nation’s most historically significant heritage sites. The progress made with the Venn’s Town nomination reflects our continued commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history and cultural legacy that helped shape Seychellois society.”
The nomination dossier was submitted to UNESCO in early 2026 following several years of extensive research, documentation, and consultation.
Globally, it is estimated that more than 100 potential nominations are prepared each year by countries seeking inscription of heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, only those nominations that successfully pass the technical completeness check are officially registered and allowed to proceed to evaluation by the international advisory bodies such as International Council on Monuments and Sites, (ICOMOS). On average, only 30 to 40 nominations worldwide advance to this stage each year.
Seychelles has therefore successfully joined this group of countries whose nomination dossiers meet UNESCO’s rigorous technical standards.
The nomination will now proceed to the evaluation phase by the Advisory Bodies, including I CO MOS, before eventual consideration by the World Heritage Committee.
Located within Morne Seychellois National Park, the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town represent one of the most powerful chapters in Seychelles’ history.
Established in the aftermath of the abolition of slavery in 1835, Venn’s Town became a settlement for liberated African children rescued from the transoceanic slave trade.
The site stands today as a powerful testament to resilience,transformation, and the transition from enslavement to freedom, marking the emergence of a new cultural identity that contributed significantly to the foundations of Seychellois Creole society.
The property has been nominated under UNESCO criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi), recognising its exceptional testimony to cultural traditions, its illustration of a significant stage in human history, and its direct association with ideas of outstanding universal significance.
Protection and Management
The Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town has been declared a National Monument since 1984 and is under the custodianship of the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council.
Its location within Marne Seychellois National Park ensures that cultural preservation and environmental protection are integrated within a strong management framework involving the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council, the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, and relevant government ministries.
Acknowledging Key Partners
Minister Bernstein highlighted the collaborative effort behind the achievement:
“The successful submission and technical acceptance of the Venn’s Town nomination dossier represents the culmination of years of careful research, documentation, and collaboration. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to UNESCO and the African World Heritage Fund for their invaluable technical guidance, as well as to our Notional Technical Committee, including Dr. Odile Decommarmond and Mr. Ion Charlette, and the dedicated staff of the Department of Culture, the Arts and National Heritage. I also thank our partner ministries and agencies — including the Department of Environment, the Survey Division, the Department of Foreign Affairs, our Embassy in Paris, the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, and the Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO — as well as experts and community stakeholders whose commitment and expertise made this milestone possible.”
Next Steps in the Nomination Process
Passing the technical completeness check represents a significant procedural milestone in the World Heritage nomination process.
The nomination will now undergo international evaluation, including technical review by experts and a possible site mission.
While the final decision rests with the World Heritage Committee, this progress represents an important step forward in ensuring that the story of Venn’s Town receives the global recognition it deserves.
The story of Venn’s Town is not only part of Seychelles’ national history, it is part of the shared human story of liberation, resilience, and cultural transformation.
Seychelles now looks forward to presenting this important chapter of its history to the international community.
–ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Barbara Eugenie
Director of PR, Communications and Marketing
Department of Culture, the Arts and National Heritage
Ministry of Tourism and Culture
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +248 4321333
