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Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din

Syrian Arab Republic
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Housing
  • Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
  • Management activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Quarrying
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Before the conflict:

  • Management System/Management Plan (Lack of conservation and/or management plans)
  • Management activities (Inappropriate restoration works)
  • Housing (Urban encroachment)
  • Quarrying (Exploitation of quarries within the perimeter of World Heritage properties)

Since 2011:

  • War (Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict)
  • Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure (Cable car project at Qal’at Salah El-Din) (issue resolved)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Destruction as well as ascertained and potential threats consequent to the armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Corrective Measures for the property

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Drafted; proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

Total amount: 200,000 Euros by the Italian Government; for built, movable and intangible heritage: 2.46 million Euros by the European Union, USD 170,000 by the Flemish Government, 63,000 Euros by the Austrian Government, USD 200,000 by the German Government; for cultural heritage under conflict: USD 200,000 by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Bahrain; USD 138,000 from the World Heritage Fund budget line dedicated to properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Requests approved: 3 (from 1998-2020)
Total amount approved : 65,000 USD
2020 Documentation & Emergency Structural Intervention in ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
2003 Préparation du dossier d'inscription du Crac des ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1998 Nomination of Crusaders castle (Approved)   15,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**

Since the start of the conflict in March 2011, the security situation has not allowed any missions to be undertaken to this World Heritage property

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023

On 3 January 2022 and 24 January 2023, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports for the six Syrian World Heritage properties, which are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1229/documents/, and include updated information on progress and challenges with conservation issues at the property, as follows:

  • In the framework of the support provided through the World Heritage Fund for the "First phase of the Master Plan for the site of Crac des Chevaliers", the following was undertaken:
  1. Establishment of a topographic network of survey points for the entire site and its surroundings,
  2. Identification of critical stability cases as well as restoration needs at the site, with prioritization of interventions and development of detailed restoration proposals aligned with the recommendations of the 2016 UNESCO technical assistance workshop,
  3. Diagnosis of stone deterioration,
  4. Inputs to the management plan, identification of priorities for structural interventions and the concept for the site management;
  • The rehabilitation of tourism and cultural routes has begun, with installation of wooden carpentry, signage and lighting, in addition to weeding the site;
  • An agreement was signed with Saint Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee for several projects funded by Hungary, that were implemented between July 2021 and December 2022. The work, undertaken using original stones whenever possible and lime mortar, include the restoration and reconstruction of al-Zahir Baybars Tower and surroundings, the interior of the church (including frescoes), the northern curtain near the Tower of the King's Daughter, the Hall of the Knights, and the Ottoman building’s facades. The northern wall overlooking the moat was partially restored;
  • Within the financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund, a damage assessment in the buffer zone of Crac des Chevaliers was carried out. Three levels of damage were identified ranking from completely destroyed (2%), heavily damaged (18%) to slightly damaged (40%). 16% were assessed in good condition, while 10 illegal constructions were identified in the protected area surrounding the monument;
  • Within the same financial assistance, documentation work was carried out at Qal'at Salah El-Din in view of expanding the buffer zone on the basis of new archaeological evidence. A Minor Boundary Modification proposal was submitted to the World Heritage Centre;
  • A visitor plan is being developed for sustainable tourism at Qal'at Salah El-Din, including visitor trails, an information centre, and visitor information facilities.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-eastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border, on 6 February 2023, and its subsequent aftershocks, inflicted damage to the property. Cracks and collapses at both component sites were reported by the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM). A request for Emergency Assistance from the World Heritage Fund was approved on 20 March 2023, which aims at further assessing and documenting damage as well as undertaking consolidation and conservation work.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

See General Decision 45 COM 46 of this Document on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic.

It is extremely unfortunate that the February 2023 earthquake inflicted further damage at both castles, where substantial progress had been made towards the physical recovery of both component sites of the property following recent damage. This progress is the result of substantial efforts to establish strategic partnerships and seek international support, including the implementation of International Assistance requests and financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund.

The project implemented through International Assistance for Qal’at Salah El-Din, and approved on 3 March 2020, has been completed. It included the update of the topographic survey, systematic documentation of damage at Qal’at Salah El-Din and the identification and implementation of emergency measures at the site and its buffer zone. The State Party has also submitted a comprehensive report on work undertaken at Crac des Chevaliers for completing the project that was also supported through the World Heritage Fund, which includes studies on the historical evolution of the monument and its water management system, in addition to other activities. The section on priorities for structural interventions, which is based on the 2016 UNESCO workshop recommendations, and the section providing the concept for the site management with maps of visitor routes, are intended to guide future activities at the sites and support the management of the property in the medium term and the development of a Master Plan for the property.

With financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund budget line dedicated to properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, which was approved on 28 July 2021, a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the buffer zone of the Crac des Chevaliers component highlights violations that occurred during the conflict. At Qal’at Salah El-Din, works allowed for the submission of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal to the World Heritage Centre, and cooperation has been established with local authorities in order to mitigate risks of fires.

Numerous documents including before/after images that have been submitted for the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), present the consolidation and restoration work undertaken at the Crac des Chevaliers and at Qal’at Salah El-Din. There have been some constraints in the use of original stones for restoration, as many have been extensively damaged at Crac des Chevaliers. Two online meetings, organized on 8 June and 20 December 2021, as well as substantial follow up, allowed the work on the DSOCR to progress. The proposed DSOCR, corrective measures, and a timeframe for implementation have been established through an online process between the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, and are recommended for adoption.

On 12 April 2023, a technical online workshop was organized to discuss the project proposal submitted to the World Heritage Centre for the restoration of the stable and counterscarp walls, considered as a priority due to structural stability issues. The State Party has subsequently provided additional documentation, including an extensive photographic survey, and drawings show proposed remedial and reconstruction works. In view of the scale of the proposed intervention and its potential effect on a major attribute of the property, which supports its OUV, the proposed works should be subject to a Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, and submitted, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for technical review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies.

Given the progress achieved in resuming regular conservation and management work at the property, including the restoration of several structures at both sites, it remains crucial that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission takes place as soon as the situation allows, to enable a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.44
Crac des chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) (C 1229)
Decision: 45COM 7A.44

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 7A.22 and 44 COM 7A.24 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
  3. Taking into account Decision 45 COM 7A.46 on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic,
  4. Expressing its concerns about the additional damage at the property resulting from the February 2023 earthquake, welcomes the works planned in the framework of the Emergency Assistance request approved in March 2023, with the aim of addressing its impact at both castles;
  5. Also welcomes the substantial progress made towards the recovery of both component sites of the property, due to efforts made for establishing strategic partnerships and seeking international support, notably through requests to the World Heritage Fund;
  6. Takes note of the works undertaken by the State Party, in the framework of the projects supported through International Assistance under the World Heritage Fund, and their contribution to improved management;
  7. Further welcomes the progress made towards the implementation of the financial assistance request approved on 28 July 2021 to address the protection of the property’s buffer zones, and in particular the submission of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal and the efforts made to mitigate risks of fire in the buffer zone of Qal’at Salah El-Din;
  8. Also takes note of the works undertaken and proposed to the stables and counterscarp walls at Crac de Chevaliers, to address structural stability issues, and in view the scale of the proposed intervention and its potential effect on a major attribute of the property, which supports its OUV, requests the State Party to prepare a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, and, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines,
  9. Takes note with satisfaction of the works undertaken by the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS for the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and a set of correctives measures, and adopts the following DSOCR, corrective measures and timeframe:
    1. Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR):
      1. Removal of substantive threats arising from the conflict that started in 2011,
      2. Restoration of the deteriorated/compromised attributes, or at least evidence that the State Party has planned more appropriate restoration works and has initiated the process at both sites,
      3. Reinstatement of the property’s protection and management system with enhanced collaboration with the local community, in order to enhance the capacity to manage additional factors that threaten the integrity and authenticity of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
    2. Corrective measures:

               - Implemented since 2013:

      1. Debris management and cleaning carried out at both sites,
      2. Damage assessment and documentation carried out at both sites,
      3. Cleaning of vegetation growth endangering the structures undertaken at both sites,
      4. Emergency structural interventions and restoration work initiated at both sites,
      5. Preparation of a Master plan for Crac des Chevaliers initiated,
      6. Illegal constructions identified within the buffer zones. 

        - Not yet implemented:
      7. Damaged structures at Crac des Chevaliers are restored. Those not yet restored should be at least planned appropriately,
      8.  All emergency structural interventions are implemented at Qal’at Salah El-Din,
      9. Cooperation with the local community is strengthened for an enhanced protection at both component sites,
      10. Challenges in the buffer zone are addressed, notably a damage assessment is carried out and emergency measures are defined in the buffer zone of Crac des Chevaliers and the boundaries of the buffer zone of Qal’at Salah El-Din are redefined,
      11. A study and consultations are carried out to set criteria and priorities for the removal of illegal constructions within the buffer zone of Crac des Chevaliers.
    3. Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures:
      The implementation of corrective measures should be completed within a period of three years;
  10. Calls upon the international community to support the implementation of the above-mentioned corrective measures;
  11. Reiterates the need for the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to be carried out as soon as the situation allows, in order to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property;
  12. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
  13. Decides to retain Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
    45 COM 8B.67
    Minor boundary modifications - Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, Syrian Arab Republic

    The World Heritage Committee,

    1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B1,
    2. Refers the examination of the proposed buffer zone for the Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, Syrian Arab Republic, back to the State Party in order to allow it to:
      1. Explain the methodology used to delineate the proposed boundary of the buffer zone, especially in relation to the protection of the wider setting of Qal’at Salah El-Din and important views from the castle, to be able to assess how the new buffer zone will support the visual integrity of the property and its surroundings, to justify the proposed extension of the buffer zone in all directions, beyond the horizontal spread of archaeological structures observed on the ground,
      2. Revise the perimeter of the proposed buffer zone to allow for greater precision in the definition of the boundary, especially with regard to topographical features which constitute the anchors of the perimeter,
      3. Clarify the size of the extension to the existing buffer zone (as approved by the World Heritage Committee in 2006 with the size of 129.52 ha) and the total area of the new buffer zone of Qal’at Salah El-Din after the proposed modification,
      4. Officially endorse through national regulation the proposed extended buffer zone,
      5. Clarify the need for and the division into different zoning within the proposed buffer zone and consider simplifying it, taking into consideration the extent of applicable controls, the need for protecting features that support the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, the views and the broader setting of the castle, as well as the related management objectives,
      6. Provide more information on any arrangements made with private landowners of plots within the proposed extension in terms of management of the area, and the timeframe for endorsement of the new buffer zone at the national level.
    45 COM 8C.2
    Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

    The World Heritage Committee,

    1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
    2. Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
    • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 45 COM 7A.51)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
    • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
    • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
    • Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
    • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
    • Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
    3.    Recalls that the following properties were inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 18th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2023):
    • Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
    • Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
    • Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
    Draft Decision: 45COM 7A.44

    The World Heritage Committee,

    1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
    2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 7A.22 and 44 COM 7A.24, adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
    3. Taking into account Decision 45 COM 7A.46 on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic,
    4. Expressing its concerns about the additional damage at the property resulting from the February 2023 earthquake, welcomes the works planned in the framework of the Emergency Assistance request approved in March 2023, with the aim of addressing its impact at both castles;
    5. Also welcomes the substantial progress made towards the recovery of both component sites of the property, due to efforts made for establishing strategic partnerships and seeking international support, notably through requests to the World Heritage Fund;
    6. Takes note of the works undertaken by the State Party, in the framework of the projects supported through International Assistance under the World Heritage Fund, and their contribution to improved management;
    7. Further welcomes the progress made towards the implementation of the financial assistance request approved on 28 July 2021 to address the protection of the property’s buffer zones, and in particular the submission of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal and the efforts made to mitigate risks of fire in the buffer zone of Qal’at Salah El-Din;
    8. Also takes note of the works undertaken and proposed to the stables and counterscarp walls at Crac de Chevaliers, to address structural stability issues, and in view the scale of the proposed intervention and its potential effect on a major attribute of the property, which supports its OUV, requests the State Party to prepare a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, and, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines,
    9. Takes note with satisfaction of the works undertaken by the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS for the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and a set of correctives measures, and adopts the following DSOCR, corrective measures and timeframe:
      1. Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR):

    (i) Removal of substantive threats arising from the conflict that started in 2011,

    (ii) Restoration of the deteriorated/compromised attributes, or at least evidence that the State Party has planned more appropriate restoration works and has initiated the process at both sites,

    (iii) Reinstatement of the property’s protection and management system with enhanced collaboration with the local community, in order to enhance the capacity to manage additional factors that threaten the integrity and authenticity of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;

    1. Corrective measures:

    - Implemented since 2013:

    (iv) Debris management and cleaning carried out at both sites,

    (v) Damage assessment and documentation carried out at both sites,

    (vi) Cleaning of vegetation growth endangering the structures undertaken at both sites,

    (vii) Emergency structural interventions and restoration work initiated at both sites,

    (viii) Preparation of a Master plan for Crac des Chevaliers initiated,

    (ix) Illegal constructions identified within the buffer zones.

    - Not yet implemented:

    (x) Damaged structures at Crac des Chevaliers are restored. Those not yet restored should be at least planned appropriately,

    (xi) All emergency structural interventions are implemented at Qal’at Salah El-Din,

    (xii) Cooperation with the local community is strengthened for an enhanced protection at both component sites,

    (xiii) Challenges in the buffer zone are addressed, notably a damage assessment is carried out and emergency measures are defined in the buffer zone of Crac des Chevaliers and the boundaries of the buffer zone of Qal’at Salah El-Din are redefined,

    (xiv) A study and consultations are carried out to set criteria and priorities for the removal of illegal constructions within the buffer zone of Crac des Chevaliers.

    1. Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures:

    The implementation of corrective measures should be completed within a period of three years;

    • Calls upon the international community to support the implementation of the above-mentioned corrective measures;
    • Reiterates the need for the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to be carried out as soon as the situation allows, in order to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property;
    • Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
    • Decides to retain Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
    Report year: 2023
    Syrian Arab Republic
    Date of Inscription: 2006
    Category: Cultural
    Criteria: (ii)(iv)
    Danger List (dates): 2013-present
    Documents examined by the Committee
    SOC Report by the State Party
    Report (2022) .pdf
    Initialy proposed for examination in 2022
    arrow_circle_right 45COM (2023)
    Exports

    * : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
    Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

    ** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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