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State of Conservation Ancient City of Bosra 2023

Ancient City of Bosra

Syrian Arab Republic
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Housing
  • Illegal activities
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Before the conflict:

  • Illegal Activities
  • Housing

Since March 2011:

  • War (Damage of historic buildings due to the conflict)
  • Illegal activities (illegal constructions following the start of the conflict and illegal excavations)
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

Not yet drafted

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Not yet identified
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

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; USD 30,000 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: 4 (from 1995-2018)
Total amount approved : 81,250 USD
2018 Recovery plan for Ancient City of Bosra (Approved)   30,000 USD
2001 Photo exhibition on Syrian cultural heritage (Approved)   1,250 USD
1998 Restoration and Conservation Project of the Roman ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
1995 Restoration of the Southern Therms in Bosra (Approved)   20,000 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 at 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/22/documents/, and include brief information on a number of conservation issues at the property, as follows:

  • Emergency restoration work was undertaken at the western gallery and reception hall of the theatre/Citadel and one of the theatre’s entrances (vomitorium), using original stone blocks whenever possible;
  • The official adoption of the building code is progressing;
  • Within the framework of the request for financial support from the World Heritage Fund, documentation work was carried out for the Kalybe monument.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

See General decision 45 COM 7A.46 of this Document on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The State Party has undertaken minor emergency restoration work at the property, but no major work, in accordance with the previous request of the Committee (Decision 44 COM 7A.19).

On 18 October 2021, the State Party submitted a request for financial support from the World Heritage Fund to conduct essential studies for the rehabilitation of the Kalybe monument (Cradle of the King’s Daughter), to define optimal restoration approaches, as requested by the Committee (Decisions 43 COM 7A.32 and 44 COM 7A.19). The request was approved on 4 November 2021, and a report was submitted on 18 December 2022. The project includes the preparation of a historical study and analysis of previous restoration works, documentation of damage using photogrammetric techniques, debris management, and restoration studies. The project report and outcomes have been subject to technical review by ICOMOS, which concludes that overall the work is compelling, but that more information is required about the documentation of archaeological monitoring, there is insufficient information provided about the proposed anastylosis project, and the approach to securing the surroundings of the monument has not been addressed. It would be appropriate for the Committee to recommend that the report be revised accordingly and re-submitted for further review. The State Party should also be requested to provide detailed information, including project documentation and a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), prepared in accordance with the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, in conformity with Paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, prior to any final decision about the proceeding with the proposed works.

Following the technical review of the building code by ICOMOS, the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) has informed that the plan for adoption integrates most of the comments provided by ICOMOS. It is recalled that the technical review also supports the preparation of a site management plan and master plan, which are crucial to inform restoration decisions and ensure coordination among stakeholders.

The World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with the Advisory Bodies, has initiated remote work to support the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

Given the progress achieved in planning the recovery of the property, the previously requested joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission will be crucial as soon as the situation allows.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.41
Ancient City of Bosra (Syrian Arab Republic) (C 22bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 7A.19 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. Recalling the previously reported extensive illegal excavations at the site, reiterates its call upon the international community to collaborate for the sharing of inventories and documentation that could facilitate the return of looted cultural property;
  5. Encourages the State Party to continue implementing emergency consolidation work at the property and to limit other restoration works until optimal restoration approaches have been determined;
  6. Welcomes the project aimed at conducting the necessary studies for the rehabilitation of the Kalybe monument (Cradle of the King’s Daughter) funded through the World Heritage Fund, and requests the State Party to revise the project report in line with the technical review by ICOMOS and re-submit it for further technical review, and also requests the State Party to submit detailed information about the proposed anastylosis project, including project documentation and a Heritage Impact Assessment prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, in conformity with Paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, prior to any final decision about the proposed works proceeding;
  7. Taking note that the approval of the building code is progressing, recalls that the technical review also highlighted the need for the preparation of a site management plan and master plan, which are crucial to inform restoration decisions and ensure coordination among stakeholders and further requests the State Party to instigate these important projects as soon as circumstances allow;
  8. Calls again on all States Parties to support emergency safeguarding and recovery measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  9. 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;
  10. Also encourages the State Party to pursue 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, for potential examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
  11. 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;
  12. Decides to retain Ancient City of Bosra (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
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)
Read more
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.41

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 7A.19 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. Recalling the previously reported extensive illegal excavations at the site, reiterates its call upon the international community to collaborate for the sharing of inventories and documentation that could facilitate the return of looted cultural property;
  5. Encourages the State Party to continue implementing emergency consolidation work at the property and to limit other restoration works until optimal restoration approaches have been determined;
  6. Welcomes the project aimed at conducting the necessary studies for the rehabilitation of the Kalybe monument (Cradle of the King’s Daughter) funded through the World Heritage Fund, and requests the State Party to revise the project report in line with the technical review by ICOMOS and re-submit it for further technical review, and also requests the State Party to submit detailed information about the proposed anastylosis project, including project documentation and a Heritage Impact Assessment prepared in accordance with the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, in conformity with Paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, prior to any final decision about the proposed works proceeding;
  7. Taking note that the approval of the building code is progressing, recalls that the technical review also highlighted the need for the preparation of a site management plan and master plan, which are crucial to inform restoration decisions and ensure coordination among stakeholders and further requests the State Party to instigate these important projects as soon as circumstances allow;
  8. Calls again on all States Parties to support emergency safeguarding and recovery measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  9. 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;
  10. Also encourages the State Party to pursue 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, for potential examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
  11. 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;
  12. Decides to retain Ancient City of Bosra (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2021
Report year: 2023
Syrian Arab Republic
Date of Inscription: 1980
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2013-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2022) .pdf
Initialy proposed for examination in 2022
arrow_circle_right 45COM (2023)
Exports
Previous 2021

* : 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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