Find out Why These Iconic Historical Sites are in Danger

Deepa N

Last updated: Jan 30, 2018

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Most monuments, the world over, are places of cultural heritage. But over the years, either due to natural causes or human interferences, many of these monuments are facing destruction. Since it was launched in 1996, the World Monuments Fund, a private, international non-profit organisation, has been listing out monuments across the world that face challenges of upkeep and leading to possible destruction, in the hope of directing financial and technical aide towards them. The list, which is updated every other year, has over 800 such.

Here, we have listed five such monuments that could be lost to future generations, and what’s causing the destruction.

Souk of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

The Aleppo souk, Souk-Al-Madina goes back in time to the fourteenth century, when it was the central trading hub on the ancient Silk Route. Marked as a UNESCO World Heritage, the souk was the largest of its kind, with a network of narrow alleys that went about 13 km long. Until the clashes between Syrian forces and the rebel factions in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad since 2011, the souk sold everything from spices to jewellery. Even as of 2012, a year after the offensive broke out, about 1,500 shops were gutted in the fires that raged from the war. Today, after years of fighting, the souk is all but no more and is in need of urgent restoration to help weave back the social fabric of the country.

Pavlopetri, Elafonisos, Greece

Believed to be about 5,000 years old, the submerged city of Pavlopetri, off the coast of southern Laconia in Peloponnese, Greece, is one of the oldest lost cities. The architectural remains of the lost city are submerged in shallow waters between the beach of Pouda at Viglafia and the Pavlopetri Islet, and are visible at a depth of 3m. The original site dates back to 3,500 BC, with buildings spread over six hectares and at least six roads traced around them. Despite erosion over centuries, the city’s layout and remains of structures like tombs and temples, plazas and other buildings have been well preserved. But today, the ancient submerged city faces threat from the toxic waste of illegally moored off ghost ships in the island.

Lifta, Jerusalem, Israel

On the outskirts of Jerusalem is a Palestinian village called Lifta. Inhabitants of the village were driven out during the 1947–48 Civil War that ravaged the land. Lifta has been left virtually untouched, settling in more or less as a ghost village. An archaeological survey conducted in the 75-odd houses that still stand revealed some of them to date back to 2,000 years ago, reflecting Roman and Hellenistic styles. However, the site might suffer damage from the plans of the authorities (the Israel Lands Authority and the Jerusalem Municipality), who have been insisting for over 20 years on converting the village into a luxury hub with about 115 luxury houses and stores, cafes and restaurants to be built around. The redevelopment of the area might critically impair what is considered a monument and a memory of a bygone era.

Old City of Ta’izz, Ta'izz, Yemen

Ravaged by civil war since 2015, this historic city that dates back to the twelfth century is the third largest in Yemen, and used to be the former national capital. The until-recently bustling city situated at an elevation of 1,400 m used to be known for its picturesque surroundings, its elaborately decorated houses, and two mosques— Al-Muẓaffariyyah and Ashrafiyyah. What was once an important administrative and coffee-growing centre in Southwestern Yemen is haunted by snipers hiding in the streets and open spaces, shooting at people without warning.

The Arch of Janus, Rome, Italy

Dating back to the fourth century, the ancient four-way marble arch, which is believed to be built by Emperor Constantine I, is one of the monuments across the world that suffers from plain negligence. Covered in grime, vegetation, and black stains as a consequence of weathering and environmental pollution, this is, however, one of the few remaining monuments in Rome, which need to be restored to its former glory.

Read more: 15 World Heritage Sites in India

Deepa N

Writer. Editor. Storyteller. (And sometimes a poet.) Deepa hopes to continue spending the rest of her lifetime watching people, places and things so that she can create her art someday.

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