Key:historic
 historic
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| Description |
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Used for describing various historic features. 
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| Group: historic |
| Used on these elements |
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| Documented values: 76 |
| Useful combination |
| See also |
| Status: de facto |
| Tools for this tag |
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The historic=* key is used to tag features that still exist or of which traces are observable, and that are of historic interest, or where the feature class is generally of historical interest (e.g. wayside shrines are tagged like this, even if they were set up yesterday).
For features which no longer exist, use life cycle prefixes.
Many historic sites are important tourist destinations.
Note that individual tags are outcome of organic tag growth use (see ATYL) and as result there is not really possible to specify some nice characteristic shared by all historic=* objects. Some attempted to declare that historic=* is used only for objects that are historically significant, but it does not match actual use.
Usage
This key can be used on every observable feature that has a historical meaning, regardless of
- historical importance. For example, inclusion in an authoritative listing of historic sites, or a special protected status is not a requirement.
- size, and in particular the degree to which it influences the visible landscape.
- interest to the OSM community.
Common examples are:
- Castles
- Historical transport infrastructure, such as Roman roads or disused railway tracks
- Historical sites of large-scale mineral extraction
Usage in non-historic features
- Wayside shrines are tagged historic=wayside_shrine, even if they are modern.
- Memorials are tagged historic=memorial, even if they are modern (presumably every memorial is referring to history in some sense).
When not to use
The tag historic=* is used to identify subjects that relate to human history.
- For features which no longer exist – see Lifecycle prefix and Comparison of life cycle concepts.
- Geological features are described using geological=*.
- Palaeontological sites (places containing the remains of ancient life-forms) are also described using geological=*.
- Features that are natural heritage or part thereof are tagged with heritage=*, or landuse=*.
- Information boards on historical topics are tagged tourism=information + information=board + board_type=history.
- Museums that cover history are tagged tourism=museum + exhibit=history.
However, if the feature is also a cultural heritage or has other historic importance, historic=* can be used alongside other tags.
How to map
The key can be used on any OSM object (
) that represents a real-world feature which qualifies for this tag (see above).
Additional tags
- historic:civilization=* – roughly which civilization (or ancient culture) has built the feature, or is somehow else connected to it.
- historic:period=* – for describing a narrower period.
Values
The value of historic=* is used to characterize the type of feature. The range of possible values is open, but if one of the values listed below can be used to adequately describe the feature, it should be used.
This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.
Possible tagging mistakes
See also
- Historic
- heritage=*
- ruins=yes
- abandoned:amenity=prison for concentration camp, prisoner of war camp
External
Wikipedia list of heritage registers (note that many of these registers cover natural heritage as well as historic sites).- Map of Historical objects: historic.place