UNESCO Revalidation Mission in the Vis Archipelago Geopark

An UNESCO revalidation mission is arriving at the Vis Archipelago Geopark next week. This is a regular procedure that UNESCO Global Geoparks undergo every four years, assessing the geopark's operations, progress made, area management, cooperation with the local community, education, heritage protection, and contribution to sustainable development.

Revalidation is an important part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks system because it confirms that a geopark exists not merely as a label on a map, but as an active space for management, cooperation, education, and sustainable development. During the process, evaluators assess how the geopark connects geological heritage with the natural and cultural values of the area, how it involves the local community, and how it contributes to the recognition and development of the region in which it operates.

During the UNESCO evaluators' multi-day visit to the Vis Archipelago area, the Geopark will present its work through meetings, discussions with stakeholders, and field visits to specific sites. This will be an opportunity to showcase the geopark's values precisely where they are most visible – in its space, landscape, sea, heritage, and the daily life of the islands.

As part of the UNESCO revalidation, a public opening of the revalidation program will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM, at the Vis Archipelago Geopark Visitor Center in Komiža. On this occasion, we will present the Geopark's progress and achievements over the past period, including key activities, projects, and developments since the last UNESCO revalidation.

Dr. Tvrtko Korbar will speak about salt diapirs as the geological foundation of all islands and reefs within the unique UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago.

We invite the local community, partners, collaborators, representatives of institutions and associations, and all interested citizens to join us and be part of this important moment for the Vis Archipelago.

During the visit, we will have the opportunity to present what the Vis Archipelago Geopark has accomplished over the past four-year period – from the preservation of geological, natural, and cultural heritage, educational programs, and spatial interpretation, to projects, field activities, and cooperation with local stakeholders, institutions, associations, schools, partners, and the community.

The uniqueness of the Vis Archipelago lies in the fact that its values are not only found in its rocks but also in its sea, landscape, and the daily life of the islands. Here, geology explains why an offshore island has drinking water, why vineyards, caves, coves, and cliffs were formed, and also why stories about the falkuša boat, Palagruža, fishing, dry stone walls, and life on remote islands developed.

The Vis Archipelago Geopark encompasses an area of exceptional geological, natural, and cultural diversity. Its uniqueness is defined by salt diapirs, volcanic and sedimentary rocks, sea cliffs, caves, reefs, offshore islands, and rich underwater life, as well as the centuries-old relationship between humans and this space. This very connection of geology, sea, landscape, heritage, and the local community forms the foundation of the Geopark's identity.

In the past period, the Geopark has continued to develop educational and interpretive programs, foster cooperation with schools, local partners, and institutions, carry out heritage preservation and promotion activities, and implement projects aimed at sustainable development, nature protection, strengthening the local community, and raising awareness of the Vis Archipelago's value at national and international levels.

Revalidation is an opportunity to demonstrate how the geopark thrives through its territory and the people who daily preserve, represent, and develop it. It is also a chance to review past work, acknowledge progress made, and plan the Geopark's future development in cooperation with the local community and partners.

We look forward to presenting the Vis Archipelago, its values, projects, and the community behind the geopark, not only to the UNESCO evaluators but also to our local community.

The opening of the UNESCO revalidation of the Vis Archipelago Geopark will take place on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Vis Archipelago Geopark Visitor Center, Put Batude 2, Komiža.