It is not easy to be included on the prestigious UNESCO list. Nominated sites must comply with a number of criteria, and the final decision on the inscription is made by a special committee. The necessary, though not only condition is the exceptional and universal value of the proposed site, as well as its authenticity. Since 1992, additionally mixed (cultural and natural) sites are distinguished apart from natural and cultural sites. They are referred to as cultural landscapes and reflect the interaction between people and their natural environment. Fourteen sites from UNESCO list are located in Małopolska.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

21 June 2013 is a unique data for all inhabitants of Małopolska. Then, the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh unanimously made the decision on entering into the UNESCO World Heritage List of 16 wooden Orthodox churches in the Polish and Ukrainian region of the Carpathians, of which four are located in the Małopolskie Region. This is an outstanding honour, because the nominated objects had to meet two demanding criteria: be a unique testimony to the cultural tradition and constitute an outstanding example of architecture. The temples in Małopolska, that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List are: St. Jacob Church in Powroźnik, Church of the Intercession in Owczary, St. Paraskeva Church in Kwiatoń and Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Brunary Wyżne. These churches are a part of the Wooden Architecture Route, which includes more than 250 different buildings and building complexes in the Małopolskie Region. These temples are not the only objects of the Route which are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as in 2003 this honourable title was given to the wooden churches in Binarowa, Dębno, Lipnica Murowana and Sękowa.