UNESCO World Heritage Site: Nicknamed "The Jewel of the Pacific," Valparaiso was declared a World Heritage Site based upon its improvised urban design and unique architecture. In 1996, the World Monuments Fund declared Valparaiso's unusual system of funicular elevators (highly-inclined cable cars) one of the world's 100 most endangered historical treasures. In 1998, grassroots activists convinced the Chilean government and local authorities to apply for UNESCO World Heritage status for Valparaiso. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003. Built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaiso boasts a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways, embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy.
