No.in the world there are wonderful places thoughrisk disappearing soon under the shadow of climate change, excessive tourism and wars. The list of these historical and cultural sites that are in need of protection as soon as possible, are listed in the World Monuments Watch 2022elaborated by World Monuments Fund.
Socotra Island, Yemen. (Getty Images)
World Monuments Watch: the places to save
The private non-profit organization highlights, every two years, the important heritage, including local communities, which could disappear forever. And it highlights the urgency of plans and funds to protect the architectural beauty of the past.
In total they are 225 monuments scattered all over the worldor, of which 25 with imminent and concrete risk. Through an approach of protection in the field and cooperation with the place in question, the institution offers the opportunity for the development of new projects capable of providing local solutions of global significance.
Maldives. (Getty Images)
A heritage in danger
The World Monuments Fund was founded in 1965 with the aim of preserving, through the allocation of funds and scholarships, sites of historical and cultural significance. To date, they have received assistance from the organization more than 700 sites in 120 countries on all continents. It puts its commitment into practice by working closely with local governments and communities.
Starting in 1996, every two years, the WMF publishes this list of sites at risk of protection. That of 2022 saw many applications. All have been subjected to reviews by theInternational Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and an independent jury of international experts.
World Monuments Watch: the sites to save as soon as possible
The greatest threat looming over the chosen places is certainly climate change. The phenomenon, for example, is making it disappear the coastal heritage of the Maldives and it historic Koagannu cemeterycharacterized by an original coral stone architecture.
Just as it is also putting the virgin forest at risk covers the heart of the island of Sumbamore authentic face of Indonesia.
Not just the fault of climate change
Another strong concern concerns, however, also the excessive tourism, such as in the Abydos site in Egyptan ancient center of worship left out of local tourist planning.
But there is also the Socotra Archipelago, in Yemenan area where storms, temperature changes and rising sea waters are putting heritage, cultural traditions and livelihoods at risk.
The island of Sumba, Indonesia. (Getty Images)
The historical must also be protected Bagerhat City-Mosque in Bangladesh. A mystical and legendary place inscribed by Unesco in the World Heritage List. A precious testimony of Indo-Muslim architecture that would be completely lost.
And still, just as at risk, after the storms that hit it in 2021, Hurst Castle in the UKan imposing historical fortress partially collapsed due to the rains.
All the places included in the list can be found on the website of World Monuments Fund.
iO Donna © REPRODUCTION RESERVED