Brief synthesisThe Moravian Church Settlements in Herrnhut (Saxony, Germany), Bethlehem (Pennsylvania, United States of America), Gracehill (Northern Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), and Christiansfeld (Jutland, Denmark) were established according to overarching planning principles that reflected the ideals of the Moravian Church, as expressed in their plans and democratic organisation. Bethlehem, established in 1741, is the first permanent, best-preserved, and most important Moravian Church settlement in North America. Criterion (iii): The transnational series of Moravian Church settlements bears exceptional testimony to Moravian Church principles, which are expressed in their layouts, architecture, and craftsmanship, as well as the fact that numerous buildings are still used for their original functions or for the continuation of Moravian Church activities and traditions. The continuing presence of Moravian Church communities in each of the settlements ties their historic layouts and structures to the living cultural tradition of the Moravian Church and to the larger Moravian Church community. These settlements, established during the formative phase of Moravian Church settlements, stand for the movement towards democratisation, offering the same standard of living to all its members and advancing the well-being of the group.