Decision 45 COM 8B.11

The Persian Caravanserai (Islamic Republic of Iran)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B1,
2. Inscribes The Persian Caravanserai, Islamic Republic of Iran, excluding the component parts Yām and Mādar Shāh, on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii);
3. Takes note of the following provisional Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
   
   

   Brief synthesis

   The Persian caravanserai is a collection of 54 caravansaries selected among numerous historical caravanserais based on typology, climate zones the ancient network of roads, which is an outstanding evidence of the tradition of travel in the historical and cultural periods before the industrial age and the development of modern roads, railways and air corridors. The caravanserai was supposed to facilitate comfort for travellers and pilgrims on long and or difficult road to pass in different geographical conditions, especially desert areas.

   The development and evolution of this property from the Achaemenid period (530 BC) to the late 19th century, the Qajar period, shows the stability and importance of this architectural structure in the lives of the people of Iran and West Asia. This nomination includes 54 caravanserais located in a network of ancient, historical and pilgrimage routes, which resemble as a chain, not only from the point of view of tangible heritage, but also enjoys a remarkable and integral intangible heritage. This human phenomenon has been the place of exchange of ideas, knowledge, trade and the meeting place of different cultures, ethnicities and religions throughout time. These are the irreplaceable features that connect this number of caravanserais to each other and furnishes them with the outstanding universal value.

   Criterion (ii): Emergence of the Persian caravanserai enriched the exchange of cultural values. The diversity and variety that could be seen in this heritage were the result of the extremely long period of time and uninterrupted use of the caravanserais that were a place for interaction between various civilizations over the span of the last three millennia. Caravanserais, as one the most significant structures constructed on historical routes, such as the Silk Roads, Shāhrāh-e-Khorāsān (Khorasan Road) and pilgrimage routes, presented valuable ideas.

   Criterion (iii): Persian caravanserai bears an exclusive cultural tradition for long journeys in the past times and is a symbol of a civilization in the region of Iran that has lasted from the 5^th century BC to the early years of the 20th century. The network of caravanserais and its related infrastructures in different time periods were of significant importance for the expansion of trading among different areas of the known world as well as the growth of economic and cultural interactions among various ethnic groups and nations.

   Integrity

   The selected caravanserais in the serial nomination dossier of the “Persian Caravanserais” are spread over a network of historical roads. These caravanserais can be divided into urban and suburban types. The components enjoy integrity, and as a whole, they have a good and stable relation with each other. The integrity of the components can be confirmed, each in its place and in general in relation to the network of historical and ancient roads. In addition, despite the passage of time, the integrity of the caravanserais that have been protected as ancient relics, can also be confirmed. The current conservation plans emphasize on safeguarding of their integrity as a whole and each component regarding the property as the components have kept their connection with the surrounding and landscape. The serial and web-like network of the caravanserais constitute an integrated network across the historical roads.

   Authenticity

   The authenticity of the Persian caravanserais can be proven based on the form, function and design. Some of these caravanserais have still kept their historical functions for pilgrims and traders; and the new functions have been assigned for other caravanserais, which have also been carried out in order to revive these properties, have not damaged the originality of the properties. The caravanserais that are preserved as archaeological site enjoy higher degrees of originality.

   The caravanserais bear a unique testimony to a disappeared tradition of traveling which enjoyed tangible and intangible features. The spatial background of the caravanserais and the main elements related to the components enjoy the same originality as the components’. And the authenticity of the property is properly protected.

   The spatial structure and historical details of all inscribed caravanserais have been well restored while keeping the authenticity. The conservation and revitalization programs have been prepared aiming at preserving the authenticity of the property. The materials used in the components were mostly stone and bricks that have been restored and preserved through traditional and historical methods.    

   Protection and management requirements

   All component parts have been inscribed on the National Cultural Heritage List. Therefore, they are protected by different legislative instruments. Buffer zones are subject to regulations that prohibit any damaging or disturbing activity such as polluting industrial activities or garbage accumulation. By law, the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts (IMCHTH) is the responsible authority for the conservation of all artistic, historical and cultural monuments and sites within the country. For the purpose of managing the nominated property, the IMCHTH has established the Persian Caravanserai Cultural Heritage Base, under the Deputy of Cultural Heritage. The work of the Persian Caravanserai Base is supported by two Committees – the Technical Committee and the Steering Committee – and by locals. The Technical Committee is a consultant committee which provides advice about any technical details such as interventions or use of materials. Therefore, it consists of experienced specialists from various fields including restoration and conservation, tourism, handicrafts, anthropology, archaeology, road engineering, and architecture. The Steering Committee is composed of representatives of different institutions related to the management of the nominated property.

   All caravanserais included in the nominated property have individual restoration plans. In addition, urban are taken into consideration in urban and rural master plans. The provisions included in those plans in relation to the caravanserais and their buffer zones should be approved by the IMCHTH. The national plan for expanding tourism nationwide, titled “Document 15-Years Development of the Tourism Industry in the I.R Iran”, is considered as the upstream document for the tourism extension plans of all provinces. Local communities are involved in the management of the component parts that are located in cities or within the vicinity of villages. In such cases, some members of the local communities are employed in different positions. In addition, some adaptive reuse projects aim to serve the community in a direct manner by allocating spaces within the component parts for local NGOs or for locally needed functions, such as a library, child care center or a training center.

4. Recommends that the State Party give urgent consideration to the following:
   1. Revise the boundaries of the component parts to include the immediate surroundings of the caravanserais and important ancillary buildings related to each and submit a minor boundary modification request,
   2. Strengthen the management plan for the property as a whole to include clear management objectives, detail the governance arrangements and how the different actors coordinate their actions, define decision-making processes, and include disaster risk-preparedness, comprehensive interpretation, and tourism strategies for all component parts, especially for the caravanserais: Khoy, Titi, Sāeen and Chameshk,
   3. Strengthen the monitoring programme for the property as a whole to include a clear, simple to measure and cost-effective set of indicators in terms of data collection, analysis and interpretation, and which allow the easy aggregation of data and transmission across different administrative levels;
5. Also recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:
   1. Issuing general guidelines for the adaptation of the caravanserais with regards to modern commercial and hospitality functions,
   2. Ensuring that laws and regulations that apply to the buffer zones are strictly enforced,
   3. Undertaking maintenance work on a regular basis so that necessary interventions are kept to a minimum and respecting international conservation principles and good conservation practice;
6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2024, a report on the implementation of the above-mentioned recommendations for review by the Word Heritage Committee at its 47th session.