Access 360° World Heritage - Episode Guide

There's a special place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest with ecosystems so unique and biodiversity so rich the UN have declared it a World Heritage Site. But the threats of climate change are looming. If nobody takes action this pristine wilderness could dry up in as little as 20 years and the effects would be devastating, not only here but across the planet. Now a team of four courageous people have devoted their lives to the protection of this corner of rainforest.

Could the Taj Mahal, one of the World's Seven Wonders, be in imminent danger? It is one of the grandest works of architecture on the planet. But these days, it has plenty of critics. They insist that this monument to undying love is at risk of collapsing into the river that runs beside it. The conservators who know it best dispute the claims. We follow the controversy as two scientific groups examine the Taj's stability. The 360-year-old monument is under serious pressure from the effects of climate change, pollution and mass tourism.

A threat looms over Kyoto, Japan's cultural center and a city with one of the most World Heritage sites in the world. Rapid modernization has decimated its traditional cityscape and threatens age-old cultural practices. Now, a team of warriors from various walks of life battle to preserve Kyoto's essence in the face of inevitable change. Gain 360° access to the world behind the monuments, where the traditional and modern come head to head and less-than-orthodox methods are being tested in the effort to safeguard Kyoto's traditional identity.

A gift to the United States from France and now a World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is an international emblem of freedom and liberty. But over the past decade she's been off-limits, considered unsafe in a post-9/11 world. U-S Park Service and construction crews are now laboring to re-open this iconic statue. They are renovating her interior so people can get out quickly if there's an attack. But with the clock ticking to opening day, it's a massive undertaking.

In Tanzania, East Africa, one of the world's most iconic mountains is on the verge of catastrophe. Mount Kilimanjaro is losing the iconic white cap that has crowned its peak for millennia. Its glaciers are disappearing at an astonishing pace while its rivers and forests are drying up. Is it global warming, or a problem much closer to home? A passionate team of Tanzanians brave savannah, mountain and skies in a mission to uncover the mystery behind the demise of this national treasure and try to prevent it.

In a remote part of Central Turkey sits an alien landscape six times the size of New York City that may soon disappear. The World Heritage site of Cappadocia attracts more than 2 million visitors a year who come here not just for the beauty of the terrain, but also for the thousand year old cultural treasures hidden in its caves. We follow the Director of Museums of Cappadocia as he battles both man-made and natural erosion to protect this geological wonderland.

The battle is on to beat back the furies of nature and man that threaten to destroy Indonesia's most visited monument: Borobudur. This ancient temple and UNESCO World Heritage site sits on the ring of fire, with earthquakes erupting below and an active volcano spewing ash just 27 kilometers away. A holy site for Buddhists, Borobudur has even been attacked by Muslim radicals, who set off bombs inside its sacred stupas. On the front line in the battle: a man who has rescued the temple from the bombs AND the volcano.

The Palace of Versailles, built for the God-like kings of France, is a World Heritage-listed masterpiece of architecture and craftsmanship. Beneath the lavish embroidery, gleaming gold, and priceless works of art, there's a constant battle against the ravages of time and tourism. Gain 360-degree access behind the sumptuous façade and meet the artisans, curators and security experts who maintain this French jewel according to the highest standards of King Louis XIV himself.

Off the far northeastern coast of Australia lies the world's largest living specimen, the Great Barrier Reef. It is the only living thing on earth viewable from space and famed for being home to one of the largest diversities of marine species on the planet. But years of ocean warming, pollution, and shipping have begun to take its toll on the health of the reef, and a new culprit, port development, is adding to this multitude of woes. A passionate team of marine conservationists gives 360-degree access to their efforts to save the beauty and life of the reef.

The magnificent temples of Angkor were mysteriously abandoned for hundreds of years. Now, the largest religious monument on earth is at risk of being lost again. It will take a team effort to restore this legendary world heritage site to its former glory. Researchers are discovering new clues about what went wrong in the past, while locals are fighting to save their heritage for the future.

The beautiful cathedral of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain has been under construction for 130 years, yet its still not finished. After all these years, it continues to challenge modern architects. Now, a team of experts is rushing to complete this masterpiece in just thirteen years… in time to honor the genius behind its inception, Antoni Gaudi, and the 100th anniversary of his death. To finish this church will take not just innovation and devotion, but the most advanced technology, hard-hat construction, and the fine-grained discipline of ancient craft.

Recently added to the world heritage list as a cultural asset, the iconic Mt. Fuji is a well-known symbol of Japan. Every year the volcano's scenic beauty draws more and more visitors from around the world. Dedicated mountain rangers, scientists, and eco-volunteers are working hard to preserve and protect the mountain from mankind while also protecting mankind from the mountain

It's a land before time... a sanctuary filled with giant ferns, ancient trees, and prehistoric predators. But Everglades National Park is under siege. A full-scale invasion of escaped pets and exotic species threatens to wipe out the local wildlife and a snarling system of dams and canals is slowly strangling its fragile ecosystem. So severe is the threat that UNESCO has put Everglades National Park on their list of most vulnerable locations. Now, the defenders of this World Heritage Site are fighting back - to fend off the onslaught of invaders and pump life back into the legendary river of grass before it's too late.

The palaces, cathedrals and museums of St. Petersburg represent some of the finest art and architecture on earth. This UNESCO World Heritage site was built as the shining symbol of the Russian empire's golden age. But behind the gold curtain, a dark history has left some of Russia's greatest treasures on the brink. Now a select few must safeguard these cherished relics of the past to reveal the city's splendor once again.

The city of Venice attracts millions of tourist each year with its rich historic and artistic heritage. Behind the beautiful and vibrant facade, lies a city in grave danger. The Adriatic Sea that brought fortune and glory to the city is also a threat to Venice and its lagoon. When the sirens go off, Veetians brace themselves for an incoming attack. The tide rises, floodwater rushes into the city and destroys every artwork or architecture in its path. Expert teams of Engineers, Scientists and Conservators are determined to save this UNESCO World Heritage site from vanishing beneath the waves.

The ancient castles and cathedrals of Prague draw millions of tourists every year… and beneath the city is a hidden underworld that traces the story of this UNESCO World Heritage site through the ages. But time and the forces of nature are threatening to destroy what has survived for over a thousand years. Now, teams of explorers, engineers and master craftsmen must go inside Prague's secret spaces to safeguard its cherished heritage.

The famed Galapagos Islands teem with fantastic wildlife found nowhere else on earth. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the living laboratory that inspired Darwin's theory of natural selection. The animals that could survive the long journey and harsh climate thrived in an isolated sanctuary. But that isolation left them vulnerable to the threats of the outside world. The arrival of humans changed the balance, threatening their survival. Now - on land and on the sea - the islands' guardians are using latest technology to reveal the hidden patterns of these endangered creatures, and gain the critical insights needed to save them.