The 'Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales' has officially been inscribed on the World Heritage List as a 'Cultural Landscape'.
The post-industrial quarrying area has become the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cymru, alongside 'Blaenafon Industrial Landscape', 'Pontcysyllte Aqueduct', and the 'Castles of King Edward in Caernarfon, Biwmaris, Harlech and Conwy'.
Reacting to the announcement, the local Senedd member, Siân Gwenllian said: “I know local people, many of them direct descendants, as am I, of families that depended on the quarrying industry, will feel pride about this announcement.
“It is fitting that the area receives international recognition, as the area’s history is of international importance [...]
“Little did the local communities of Gwynedd see of the immense wealth generated, and I will be thinking of those generations today.
“As we reflect on the rich history of the area, we won’t just be thinking about the quarrymen, like my great grandfather, but also of their families.
“The strong women who without their contribution we wouldn’t be celebrating today. Our “resilient grandmothers” as the local poet Gwyn Thomas once said.”
"Significant Contribution"
First Minister Mark Drakeford also responded to the announcement:
"Today's announcement recognises the significant contribution this part of North Wales has made to the cultural and industrial heritage not only of Wales, but of the wider world. Welsh slate can be found all over the world.
"The quarrying and mining of slate has left a unique legacy in Gwynedd, which the communities are rightly proud of. This worldwide recognition today by Unesco will help preserve that legacy and history in those communities for generations to come and help them with future regeneration."