Ancient City of Damascus

Before the conflict:

• Society valuing of heritage (Poor state of conservation)
• Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system (Inappropriate restoration techniques)
• Legal framework (Lack of a buffer zone) (issue resolved)
• Management System/Management Plan (Lack of a management plan)
• Housing (Development projects threatening the emblematic historic fabric)
• Ground transport infrastructure (Development projects threatening the emblematic historic fabric) (issue resolved)

Since March 2011:

• War (Damage due to the armed conflict)
• Other factors (Fire due to an electrical incident at al-Asrooniya and elsewhere in the property)
• Management activities (Lack of maintenance of the sewage system due to the conflict)

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

Adopted; see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7685

Adopted; see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7685

Adopted; see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7685

Total amount granted to the property: USD 10,000 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust.
Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties: 200,000 euros by the Italian Government; for 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/20/​documents/, and include updated information on progress in a number of conservation issues at the property, as follows:

• The ancient city wall between Bab Touma and Bab al-Salam has been repaired and reconstructed through emergency financial support from the World Heritage Fund, a new sewage network is being implemented in the vicinity of the Damascus wall in al-Joura neighborhood, and the wall structure is being monitored;
• The electric lines have been grounded in Suq al-Sroujia and Suq Bab Sarija, and a workshop was organized to stress the importance and address the issue of grounding electric networks in the Old City;
• The ancient city is still impacted by fires. A workshop was organized by the Syndicate of Engineers, in partnership with the Fire Brigade, to further mitigate risks in the city. Its recommendations are being implemented through a committee created to address the issue of recurring fires and pending the installation of dry extinguishing lines, notably the installation of emergency water tanks and fire alarms, in addition to equipment provision and setting response mechanisms. The Damascus Fire Brigade has developed a study for securing dry water lines and water supplies in the entire city, and, in coordination with the ‘Fijah Water Corporation’ is proceeding with the periodic maintenance of the 81 water nozzles in the property;
• The traditional building construction professions and the use of traditional building materials have been promoted. The educational centre for traditional crafts, which also promotes traditional building materials and is supported by al-Sakhra Association, opened in the Jewish quarter. A workshop on traditional building construction techniques was planned in March 2022, supported by the Syndicate of Engineers. All restoration works undertaken by the Directorate of the Old City, and notably in Suq Sarija, were undertaken using traditional building materials;
• A cooperation agreement was signed with the University of Damascus to undertake studies in the Old City, and an urban design competition was launched for Bab Touma Square, in cooperation with the British Syrian Society;
• With the support of the Aga Khan Cultural Services – Syria, Khan Suleiman Pasha is undergoing rehabilitation to become a five-star hotel. The work is carried out in cooperation with an investment group. The two central domes, that were long missing, have been reconstructed in glass;
• The Aga Khan Development Network has also established a microfinance service to provide loans for the restoration of residential houses within the property;
• In 2021, 13 permits for emergency consolidation and restoration work were granted in the Jewish quarter in order to maintain abandoned buildings;
• A 3-year project was launched in November 2022 for the ‘digital transformation’ of the ancient city, involving several stakeholders including local communities. It aims at transforming it into a sustainable city, which takes into account the requirements of residents, and enhances the city’s economic, tourism, cultural, and environmental dynamism. Designed into 15 programmes, it will be implemented by technical teams under the supervision of a multidisciplinary technical advisory committee. The first phase foresees the production of a 3-D model of the city using drone technology, within a comprehensive development plan, employing modern technologies to improve various services for citizens and tourists.

On 19 February 2023, it was reported by the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) that the Technical Institute for Applied Arts and the Intermediate Institute of Antiquities and Museums in the Citadel of Damascus incurred damage from shelling.

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

The State Party has completed restoration works at the ancient wall between Bab Touma and Bab al-Salam and proceeded to the monitoring of structures, and has substantially progressed in the mitigation of risks of leakage in the vicinity of the ancient wall in al-Joura neighborhood, notably through the implementation of new sewage infrastructure. It has also continued to reduce the risk of fires caused by the electric network, by starting the work of grounding electric networks, implementing dry lines, providing firefighter equipment and training, in addition to identifying areas most at risk. The Committee may wish to request submission of further information about the adaptation of Khan Suleiman Pasha to become a five-star hotel, including the introduction of new glass domes, and remind the State Party of its obligations under paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

The opening of the educational centre for traditional building materials, first mentioned in 2019, is very welcome, as are the workshops that are being carried out on building construction techniques, and the use of traditional material in all restoration work undertaken by the Directorate of the Old City and the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), which will contribute to countering the gradual diminution of the authenticity of the property. The microfinance loans system being established for the restoration of residential housing within the property is welcomed.

The DGAM has provided information that a coordination mechanism, led by the Directorate of the Old City under the responsibility of the Governorate of Damascus, is operating with efficiency at the site, and management and protection activities are undertaken under the guidance of a Master Plan which is operational, though still under the process of being approved. The development of partnerships with the local communities, NGOs and universities is very welcomed, as is the elaboration of the ‘digital transformation’ of the ancient city project, including a development plan, employing modern technologies to improve the various services in the ancient city. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the Committee request further information on how the digital transformation project and comprehensive development plan are linked with the overall Master Plan to ensure the long term sustainable development of the City. It is also recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to also seek international support for continuing the work towards the elaboration of the Management Plan for the property and its conservation, as previously requested in Decision 44 COM 7A.20. The Management Plan remains crucial to inform restoration decisions and ensure coordination among stakeholders. The Committee should also encourage the State Party to continue implementing all of the recommendations of the 2016 UNESCO First Aid Support Meeting and the 2016 UNESCO Technical Assistance Workshop, including the Ottoman Bank, for which no updated information has been provided.

Reports of further damage arising from conflict, including reported damage to the Technical Institute for Applied Arts and the Intermediate Institute of Antiquities and Museums in the Citadel of Damascus, are an ongoing cause for concern and threat to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) a of the property and it would be appropriate for the Committee to call on all parties to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the attributes which support and convey the OUV of the property, and to fulfil their obligations under international law.

Progress has been achieved towards the implementation of the corrective measures in view of achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). The State Party should be encouraged to continue implementing the corrective measures in accordance with the established timeframe and to submit reports and evidence to the World Heritage Centre as the corrective measures are progressively implemented.

Notwithstanding the progress achieved in a number of conservation and management matters at the property, it remains crucial that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission take place as soon as the situation allows, to enable a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property.