Cultural landscape of Tutuala and architectural heritage of Dili and Liquiçá designated as national cultural heritage sites
DÍLI, 18 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Secretariat of State for Art and Culture, on September 17th, 2026, in Dili, officially designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala, the Architectural Heritage of Portuguese Origin in the Municipality of Dili, and the Architectural Heritage of Portuguese Origin in the Municipality of Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, with the aim of ensuring their protection, conservation, enhancement, and transmission to future generations.
The Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristóvão, delivered the statement at INFORDEPE following a two-day workshop to prepare the World Heritage Tentative List and the national heritage inventory. The event was organised in collaboration with the National Commission of Timor-Leste for UNESCO, with technical support from the UNESCO Office in Jakarta and participation by representatives of relevant national institutions.
This classification recognises the prehistoric, historical, archaeological, and ethnographic value of these heritage sites. It aligns with constitutional provisions for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the national legal framework governing cultural heritage.
The Secretary of State for Art and Culture explained that the declaration marks an “initial phase” of the process, noting that “we declare that this legacy left for Timor-Leste is recognised by the Government as part of the National Cultural Heritage, so that the process can continue in the future.”
The process requires inter-agency coordination for conservation and enhancement efforts. To this end, an inter-ministerial working group has been established, comprising the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Secretariat of State for Toponymy and Urban Affairs, and the Secretariat of State for Forests, among other entities.
The Cultural Landscape of Tutuala, located in the Municipality of Lautém, includes archaeological sites and rock art that have been the focus of ongoing technical collaboration between national authorities and UNESCO. Jorge Soares Cristóvão emphasised, in particular, the crucial need to preserve the rock paintings and to raise community awareness of the need to protect these sites.
On September 16th and 17th, representatives from the Secretariat of State for Art and Culture, the National Commission of Timor-Leste for UNESCO, and the UNESCO Office in Jakarta, together with experts and working group members, reviewed the draft Tentative List for the archaeological and rock art sites of Tutuala. Their work included reviewing documentation, analysing the potential Outstanding Universal Value of the proposed sites, and preparing the preliminary assessment required to support a potential nomination to the World Heritage List.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Timor-Leste for UNESCO, Luís Nivio de Fátima Soares, explained that national recognition is a preliminary step towards international nomination: “Today we are designating this site as National Cultural Heritage. In the future, we may proceed with the process for its recognition as a World Heritage Site, beginning with its inclusion on UNESCO’s Tentative List, followed by the respective evaluation process.”
Preparatory work for a potential nomination to the World Heritage List will continue through ongoing research, technical documentation, conservation and management measures, and adherence to procedures established under the World Heritage Convention.
TATOLI
