This chapter will explore the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainability, understood not only as a conservation criterion but also as a means of managing cultural assets and landscapes responsibly in the face of current challenges. We will start from the premise that heritage can serve as a resource for sustainable development, education and the resilience of local areas.

We will then explain how sustainability applies to cultural heritage, both in the conservation of buildings and immovable property and in the protection of cultural landscapes. We will also highlight its educational value as a tool for fostering attitudes of respect, shared responsibility and the balanced use of resources.

Finally, we will define what we mean by a cultural landscape and analyse the case of San Millán de la Cogolla as an example of a place where nature, history and collective memory form an inseparable heritage complex. This exploration will help us understand why the preservation of heritage requires a holistic and sustainable approach.