Guidelines for Information Boards and the path to using the UNESCO Logo
Since the guidelines for information boards at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper German-Raetian Limes came into force in 2009, there has been a standardised set of guidelines for the development of information boards and the associated use of the Limes World Heritage logo as well as the UNESCO logo itself.
The guidelines contain the most important information that must be observed.
From the signage request to the approval of visitor information
Would you like signposts for the Limes in your municipality or town, or is existing visitor information outdated or been vandalized? Below we explain the steps needed to obtain new signposts.
The financial aspect and the content conception
In accordance with its mandate, the German Limes Commission does not allocate financial resources for the creation of visitor information. Therefore, the coverage of costs for planned signage should be considered in advance by the contracting party. The content development for visitor information should always be closely coordinated with the responsible Limes coordinator of the respective federal state. It is therefore recommended to contact the relevant State Office for Monument Preservation. In accordance with the guidelines, the text must be written by an archaeologist with a degree in Provincial Roman Archaeology. Please note that even in the case of restoration after loss or vandalism, the content and design should be adapted to the latest research.
The Design
The visual design is usually handled by a graphic agency in accordance with the guidelines. For further information please inquire with your Limes coordinator. The office of the German Limes Commission provides header strips with logos for creating information boards. Please feel free to contact us in this regard.
Supervision by the Office of the German Limes Commission
The Office of the German Limes Commission, as the highest management body for the Upper German-Raetian Limes, oversees compliance with UNESCO guidelines, represented by the German UNESCO Commission in Bonn. This includes, among other things, adherence to the guidelines and explicit use of the Limes World Heritage logo and the official UNESCO logo in print and web media.
The Office of the German Limes Commission receives up-to-date and valid logo files from the German Commission for UNESCO. As the authorised administrative system for logo usage by UNESCO, it is the sole entity in Germany authorised to distribute the logos. This process occurs upon request via email or post by sending a digital copy of the data. The logo file provided is only valid for the specific visitor information requested. It must be newly requested for each future use. The office of the Commission is accountable to UNESCO and maintains an archive of print and web products featuring the UNESCO World Heritage logo for the Upper German-Raetian Limes. Therefore, please note that obtaining the logo files from third parties or unauthorised copies from the internet is strictly prohibited.
Process of approval and submission of the final version
Has the visitor information been designed with the logo files integrated? With the next step, please submit the draft within an appropriate timeframe for editing! The office will review compliance with the guidelines and logo requirements and will provide approval in writing or inform you of any changes that need to be considered before installation. Upon completion of the adjustments, please send us the final version file of the visitor information for our archive without being asked to do so.
Still have questions?
If you are unsure about the outlined procedure, please feel free to contact us!
Please also refer to the official guidelines on the use of the UNESCO name and acronym and the World Heritage emblem by World Heritage site in Germany.