NewsConservation & Preservation
Turkish government on collision course with Unesco over turning Hagia Sophia into mosque
President Erdogan’s plans to convert the museum have drawn fire from Greece and the US
NewsUnesco World Heritage Site
Religious sites in Russia and Ukraine hit hard by coronavirus thanks to pilgrims and poor social distancing
Many Unesco World Heritage sites that are also working monasteries have been accused of reacting slowly to the pandemic
NewsSaudi Arabia
Desert X AlUla—the inaugural art biennial in a historic Saudi Arabian valley—announces participants
Wael Shawky, Superflex and eL Seed are among the artists who will base works on the ancient history of the region
NewsBiennials & festivals
The biennial refurbishing a Unesco World Heritage city one building at a time
The third edition of Anozero in Coimbra includes works by Steve McQueen, Anna Boghiguian, and the Portuguese duo João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva
ReviewPetra Museum
Petra's rich heritage goes on show for all to see in new museum
Nearly a decade after the Arab Spring scared off tourists, the Petra Museum is poised to welcome back visitors—and open up access for locals
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
French senate says Notre Dame must be restored 'in the same way as before'
Wim Delvoye, one of the artists who submitted a proposal, says he is confident the government will pivot to his solution
NewsHeritage
Opposition flares as Peru’s government makes way for airport near Machu Picchu
A petition has been launched to prevent the Peruvian government from continuing the project
ArchiveMuseums & Heritage
The government of Saudi Arabia to spend $1.7bn on building 230 museums
Thirty international archaeology teams have been invited to the desert land
ArchiveCambodia
Demilitarised zone established to protect shelled temple on border between Cambodia and Thailand
Thai army cedes ground but future of Cambodian World Heritage site remains unresolved
ArchiveCultural heritage
Draft Unesco Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage would extend controls 200 miles out from the coast
If the draft is approved by two-thirds of member countries at the General Conference next month it will be sent out for ratification. US and Russian support unlikely.
ArchiveUnesco
Samarra shrine must be rebuilt: Unesco says reconstruction will help unite warring factions
The site is considered one of the holiest in Iraq, containing the remains of two of the Prophet's descendants
ArchiveUnesco
Samarra mosque at risk from new police barracks
There are fears that the new station will be a target for insurgents; Unesco powerless to protect the World Heritage site
ArchiveUnesco
Places categorised as UNESCO's World Heritage Sites are subject to immense tourism: what is the effect?
As Unesco celebrates the 30th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, this book analyses the effects of its policies in developing countries
ArchiveUnesco
Ten out of forty-six new World Heritage sites confirmed in Italy alone due to the Piedmont’s latest emphasis on culture and tourism
Out of the ten newly designated Unesco sites, the biggest includes eighteen royal Savoy properties
ArchiveConservation & Preservation
Harnessing the tourist industry to help Mediterranean historical sites
The Getty's floating conference on the conservation of archaeological sites.
ArchiveUnesco
Interview with Khamliène Nhouyvanisvong, UNESCO's new Special Representative to Cambodia
He plans to develop learning centres, nominate new World Heritage sites, preservation of monuments, and protection of Angkor
ArchiveUnesco
Number of sites protected by Unesco has increased, and campaign to raise money to protect them is launched
The safeguarding of these places of global, cultural importance will increase