Ancient City of Aleppo

Before the conflict:

• Legal framework (Lack of definition of the buffer zone)
• Management System/ Management Plan (Lack of conservation and/or management plans)
• Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system (Inappropriate restoration works)
• Housing (Urban encroachment)

Since 2013:

• War (Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict)

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

Not yet drafted

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

Total amount provided: USD 195,255 by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund 

Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties: 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

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/21/documents/, and include updated information on progress and challenges in a number of conservation issues at the property, as follows:

• Many activities are being implemented for the recovery of the property despite numerous challenges, including limited human and financial resources as well as limited raw materials;
• The Governorate of Aleppo has accelerated the rehabilitation of the Old City’s infrastructure and social services in order to revitalize its economy. Safety measures have been undertaken, such as the dismantling of collapsed or unstable walls in narrow alleys. In collaboration with the Aga Khan Cultural Services in Syria, the 60 shops of Suq al-Harir and the three khans (Khan al-Harir, Khan Jaki and Khan al-Venitia) were restored, in addition to the 18 shops of Fistuq Square, the 57 shops of Suq al-Hibal and the 19 shops of Suq al-Ahmadiyya. The restoration of the 48 shops of Suq al-Mihmas and the 32 shops of the western section of Suq al-Attarin is also envisaged;
• Work is progressing for the rehabilitation of public squares, such as Sahat al-Hatab, Qadi Askar, al-Milh, as well as for their axial streets;
• Restoration work is progressing in several parts of the Great Mosque, using the original stone whenever possible. These include the eastern and western walls of the main gate (Eastern gate), the southern side with the Qibla, the northern façade of the eastern side, the north gallery, the north-eastern corner and the northwestern corner next to the minaret, as well as the minaret itself. At the Citadel, walls and towers are being rebuilt on the northern and eastern part of the wall. Documentation, emergency consolidations and restoration work are progressing steadily at Bayt Ghazaleh and Bayt Ajiqbash;
• According to the Ministry of Endowment, a total of 100 mosques (77% of ancient mosques) have been restored, including the severely damaged mosques of Naqusa, al-Safahia, Tawashi, Ismailia, Nur al-Din and al-Sahibiyya as well as Madrasa Turuntaiyya and Takiyya al-Nasimi;
• The recovery phase continues to be led by the Committee for the Protection of the Ancient City, headed by the Governor of Aleppo ̶ who has issued a number of decrees for the recovery of the Old City ̶ supported by technical committees. In 2021 and 2022, 231 licenses for restoration work were granted to residential buildings and shops. 108 restoration permits were also provided to the Ministry of Endowment for mosques, residential buildings and shops, bringing the percentage of estates of the Ministry that have been granted a license since 2017 up to 80% (490 licenses for 600 estates);
• Legal facilities are provided to encourage investors to participate in the recovery of the city, and social, educational, cultural and tourism activities (including for the promotion and safeguarding of al-Qudoud al-Halabiya which is registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021) are being carried out to foster the return of inhabitants.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-eastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border on 6 February 2023, and the subsequent aftershocks, inflicted significant damage to the property, whose historic fabric was already weakened by the impact of the conflict. A UNESCO Rapid Assessment mission took place from 25 to 27 February 2023, which confirmed that the Citadel and its structures, the historic souqs, museums, monuments, residential historic buildings, and many religious buildings suffered various degrees of damage. Damage in residential areas was exacerbated by inappropriate post-conflict stabilization work and repairs. An Emergency Assistance request from the World Heritage Fund was approved on 17 March 2023, which aims at assessing and documenting damage as well as undertaking consolidation and conservation work at the western tower of the city wall.

46.    General Decision on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic

Current conservation issues

The armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011 and escalated leading to significant violence and degradation of humanitarian conditions. It has inflicted damage on the six inscribed properties as well as on the 12 sites inscribed on the Tentative List. Sites have been damaged by shelling, fires, extensive illegal excavations, military use, construction violations, in addition to intentional destruction and inappropriate use of properties by internally displaced populations. Some sites remain at risk, as the result of the conflict, from both direct impact such as physical damage, but also from indirect implications such as loss of protection, exacerbated weathering or illegal constructions.

On 3 January 2022 and 24 January 2023, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports, available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/45COM/documents/. These reports collate available information from the branches of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) up to 31 December 2022. In some areas, access is extremely limited, with consequent constraints on available information. In particular, the site of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria remains inaccessible owing to ongoing presence of armed groups, which prevents full understanding of the extent of damage at this property.

The State Party reported on actions carried out by the DGAM, despite the difficult working conditions, particularly with limited funding to support these efforts for the preservation of cultural heritage. At most of the properties, damage has been assessed and emergency conservation and urgent risk mitigation actions have been undertaken whenever possible. The DGAM has initiated high quality restoration work at a number of properties, although some concerns have been expressed about use of appropriate authentic replacement materials (such as ‘like for like’ stone in monument repair).

Recalling its intention to update its Tentative List in coordination with the World Heritage Centre, the State Party has provided updated information on the conservation of sites inscribed on the Tentative List as follows:

• For ‘Arwad Island’, DGAM received no new information about the potential tourism project previously reported ;
• In ‘Maaloula’, restoration works on residential buildings have been undertaken by inhabitants;
• At the ‘Noreas of Hama’, boundaries are being updated in order to enhance protection;
• At ‘Tartus: the Crusaders Citadel-City’, and ‘Ugrarit (Tell Shamra)’, maintenance works are being undertaken;
• At ‘Ebla’, ‘Mari (Tell Hariri) and Dura Europos’; no work has been undertaken;
• No new information is available for ‘Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi, a desert Castle’ and ‘Raqqa-Rafiqa: the Abassid City’;
• No information is provided for ‘Apamea (Afamia)’.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-eastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border on 6 February 2023, and the subsequent aftershocks, inflicted devastating damages on Syria’s already fragile cultural heritage. Damaged properties include the Ancient City of Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers and Qalat Salah El-Din, and the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria. Damage was also reported at some sites on the Tentative List, including at Raqqa Rafiqa: the Abbsid. City and at Norias of Hama. Possible damage was reported at Arwad Island and Tartus: the Crusaders’ Citadel-City.  

Activities undertaken by UNESCO

• Since the extended 44th session of the Committee (Fuzhou/Online, 2021), UNESCO has pursued its actions to assist sustained efforts to safeguard cultural heritage of Syria;
• The joint publication with UNITAR “Ten Years of Conflict: the State of Conservation of cultural heritage in Syria” is being finalized.;
• The projects supported by the World Heritage Fund for Qal’at Salah El-Din (March 2020-April 2021) and for the Crac des Chevaliers (March 2019-December 2021) are completed;
• Assistance from the World Heritage Fund for sites in danger has supported a project (July 2021-December 2022) on damage assessment, emergency measures and the enhancement of the buffer zones of the Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, and preparatory studies in view of the restoration of the Kalybe monument in the Ancient City of Bosra (November 2021-December 2022);
• Requests for assistance from the World Heritage Fund have been approved in 2023 for Site of Palmyra, Ancient City of Aleppo and Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din;
• Following the positive results of the work undertaken for the elaboration of the Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the Ancient City of Damascus from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), a number of meetings took place remotely between the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and the DGAM for the elaboration of the DSOCR for The Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (meetings on 8 June and 20 December 2021) and for the Site of Palmyra (13 December 2021);
• Following the devastating earthquake of 6 February 2023, a UNESCO Rapid Assessment mission was carried out from 25 to 27 February 2023 to Ancient City of Aleppo. In addition, UNESCO led the Culture section of the Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment (SERNA).

Activities undertaken by the Advisory Bodies

• Since the extended 44th session of the Committee (Fuzhou/Online, 2021), ICOMOS has continued to work with the State Party and the World Heritage Centre to address the longstanding inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger of six World Heritage properties. Following the successful initial work to prepare a DSOCR for the Ancient City of Damascus, attention has been turned to Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din and Site of Palmyra, through meetings, preparation of outline documents and review of information provided by the State Party.
• ICOMOS continues to provide technical review of major works within the Ancient City of Aleppo, the Ancient City of Damascus and at Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, that have been referred in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
• A provisional ICOMOS National Committee in Syria was accredited at the beginning of 2022. The expected outcomes of this initiative include fostering professional relations among local heritage experts, and with international experts;
• The ICOMOS Working Group on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Syria and Iraq continues to monitor conservation challenges and An active participation in international meetings has led to the production of new publications and web recordings. New directions include the impact of community participation, sustainability or climate change;
• ICOMOS participated in the workshop “Restoring Syrian Heritage and Reviving Communities”, organised by the Syria Trust for Development during Expo 2020 Dubai in March 2022, which resulted in the adoption of a declaration and recommendations. This was an opportunity to meet national and foreign stakeholders, as well as to better assess present needs. Recommendations were also provided in the framework of UNESCO MONDIACULT 2022 meetings on Arab Countries;
• The 6 February 2023 earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, and its subsequent aftershocks, represent a new challenge. ICOMOS issued statements and organised online Zoom expert meetings. The new ICOMOS Syria committee visited Aleppo with the UNESCO Rapid Assessment mission’s team and issued a report with recommendations. The Working Group on Syria and Iraq is trying to raise funds for equipment and urban interventions in historical cities.

It is extremely unfortunate that the February 2023 earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks have further inflicted significant damage to the property, posing an additional challenge to recovery, where planning, coordination and restoration works were progressing well. It is recommended that the Committee welcome the efforts of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), its partners and the local community, despite the challenges, and encourage the pursuit of activities planned for the recovery of the property.

It is noted that great efforts have been made for the recovery of infrastructure and the revival of economic life in the Old City, as outlined in the State Party report prior to the February 2023 earthquake. Works included restoration and the revitalization of most of its ancient suqs and a number of public squares. The rehabilitation of Suq al-Saqatiyya as a pilot project was showcased as a case study in the joint ICOMOS-ICCROM publication, Analysis of Case Studies in Recovery and Reconstruction, published in 2020 and launched in March 2021, and is a remarkable example of both physical conservation and revitalization. Safety measures were implemented in the Old City to protect inhabitants from risks of collapse of damaged structures, as previously requested by the Committee, but it would be preferable that wherever possible significant fabric and architectural detail are stabilized and consolidated, rather than dismantled. The issue of stabilization and securing monuments and buildings has become even more critical in light of the earthquake damage. It is expected that emergency assistance will contribute to stabilization and consolidation works..

There have been other significant works completed or which are in progress at the property. The numerous images provided in the State Party report and its annex reflect its efforts prior to the earthquake. There are some apparent differences in the stone used and the State Party should be encouraged to undertake repairs and reconstruction works using matching stone, and to ensure authenticity of design and materials when reconstruction is planned. Noting that the State Party has indicated that numerous restoration permits have also been issued in 2021 and 2022, it is recommended that the Committee remind the State Party to submit information on any major project to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

The recovery work that has been undertaken seems to have been well coordinated to date. Nonetheless, and in order to plan in the longer term, it is recommended that the State Party be reminded of the Committee’s previous requests to afford priority to a Reconstruction and Recovery Master Plan and the elaboration of an updated Management Plan, to be developed in line with the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

One of the major challenges for recovery of the property is the ongoing lack of available funds. Given the immense challenges of reconstruction and recovery at the property, and considering that it is critical to intervene swiftly to avoid further irreversible loss, the international community is to be encouraged to support the implementation of activities for the stabilization and recovery of the property.

Given the ongoing momentum of recovery projects, and the impact of the February 2023 earthquake, the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission should occur as soon as the security situation allows, in order to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property. It is also highly desirable that the required set of corrective measures and the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) be developed as expeditiously as possible.

No information was provided on the previously reported creation of a buffer zone. It is recommended that the Committee recall the need to submit a minor boundary modification to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies, should any buffer zone delineation be agreed upon by stakeholders.

46.    General Decision on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic

Current conservation issues

The armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011 and escalated leading to significant violence and degradation of humanitarian conditions. It has inflicted damage on the six inscribed properties as well as on the 12 sites inscribed on the Tentative List. Sites have been damaged by shelling, fires, extensive illegal excavations, military use, construction violations, in addition to intentional destruction and inappropriate use of properties by internally displaced populations. Some sites remain at risk, as the result of the conflict, from both direct impact such as physical damage, but also from indirect implications such as loss of protection, exacerbated weathering or illegal constructions.

On 3 January 2022 and 24 January 2023, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports, available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/45COM/documents/. These reports collate available information from the branches of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) up to 31 December 2022. In some areas, access is extremely limited, with consequent constraints on available information. In particular, the site of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria remains inaccessible owing to ongoing presence of armed groups, which prevents full understanding of the extent of damage at this property.

The State Party reported on actions carried out by the DGAM, despite the difficult working conditions, particularly with limited funding to support these efforts for the preservation of cultural heritage. At most of the properties, damage has been assessed and emergency conservation and urgent risk mitigation actions have been undertaken whenever possible. The DGAM has initiated high quality restoration work at a number of properties, although some concerns have been expressed about use of appropriate authentic replacement materials (such as ‘like for like’ stone in monument repair).

Recalling its intention to update its Tentative List in coordination with the World Heritage Centre, the State Party has provided updated information on the conservation of sites inscribed on the Tentative List as follows:

• For ‘Arwad Island’, DGAM received no new information about the potential tourism project previously reported ;
• In ‘Maaloula’, restoration works on residential buildings have been undertaken by inhabitants;
• At the ‘Noreas of Hama’, boundaries are being updated in order to enhance protection;
• At ‘Tartus: the Crusaders Citadel-City’, and ‘Ugrarit (Tell Shamra)’, maintenance works are being undertaken;
• At ‘Ebla’, ‘Mari (Tell Hariri) and Dura Europos’; no work has been undertaken;
• No new information is available for ‘Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi, a desert Castle’ and ‘Raqqa-Rafiqa: the Abassid City’;
• No information is provided for ‘Apamea (Afamia)’.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-eastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border on 6 February 2023, and the subsequent aftershocks, inflicted devastating damages on Syria’s already fragile cultural heritage. Damaged properties include the Ancient City of Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers and Qalat Salah El-Din, and the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria. Damage was also reported at some sites on the Tentative List, including at Raqqa Rafiqa: the Abbsid. City and at Norias of Hama. Possible damage was reported at Arwad Island and Tartus: the Crusaders’ Citadel-City.  

Activities undertaken by UNESCO

• Since the extended 44th session of the Committee (Fuzhou/Online, 2021), UNESCO has pursued its actions to assist sustained efforts to safeguard cultural heritage of Syria;
• The joint publication with UNITAR “Ten Years of Conflict: the State of Conservation of cultural heritage in Syria” is being finalized.;
• The projects supported by the World Heritage Fund for Qal’at Salah El-Din (March 2020-April 2021) and for the Crac des Chevaliers (March 2019-December 2021) are completed;
• Assistance from the World Heritage Fund for sites in danger has supported a project (July 2021-December 2022) on damage assessment, emergency measures and the enhancement of the buffer zones of the Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, and preparatory studies in view of the restoration of the Kalybe monument in the Ancient City of Bosra (November 2021-December 2022);
• Requests for assistance from the World Heritage Fund have been approved in 2023 for Site of Palmyra, Ancient City of Aleppo and Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din;
• Following the positive results of the work undertaken for the elaboration of the Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the Ancient City of Damascus from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), a number of meetings took place remotely between the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and the DGAM for the elaboration of the DSOCR for The Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (meetings on 8 June and 20 December 2021) and for the Site of Palmyra (13 December 2021);
• Following the devastating earthquake of 6 February 2023, a UNESCO Rapid Assessment mission was carried out from 25 to 27 February 2023 to Ancient City of Aleppo. In addition, UNESCO led the Culture section of the Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment (SERNA).

Activities undertaken by the Advisory Bodies

• Since the extended 44th session of the Committee (Fuzhou/Online, 2021), ICOMOS has continued to work with the State Party and the World Heritage Centre to address the longstanding inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger of six World Heritage properties. Following the successful initial work to prepare a DSOCR for the Ancient City of Damascus, attention has been turned to Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din and Site of Palmyra, through meetings, preparation of outline documents and review of information provided by the State Party.
• ICOMOS continues to provide technical review of major works within the Ancient City of Aleppo, the Ancient City of Damascus and at Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, that have been referred in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
• A provisional ICOMOS National Committee in Syria was accredited at the beginning of 2022. The expected outcomes of this initiative include fostering professional relations among local heritage experts, and with international experts;
• The ICOMOS Working Group on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Syria and Iraq continues to monitor conservation challenges and An active participation in international meetings has led to the production of new publications and web recordings. New directions include the impact of community participation, sustainability or climate change;
• ICOMOS participated in the workshop “Restoring Syrian Heritage and Reviving Communities”, organised by the Syria Trust for Development during Expo 2020 Dubai in March 2022, which resulted in the adoption of a declaration and recommendations. This was an opportunity to meet national and foreign stakeholders, as well as to better assess present needs. Recommendations were also provided in the framework of UNESCO MONDIACULT 2022 meetings on Arab Countries;
• The 6 February 2023 earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, and its subsequent aftershocks, represent a new challenge. ICOMOS issued statements and organised online Zoom expert meetings. The new ICOMOS Syria committee visited Aleppo with the UNESCO Rapid Assessment mission’s team and issued a report with recommendations. The Working Group on Syria and Iraq is trying to raise funds for equipment and urban interventions in historical cities.