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State of Conservation Site of Palmyra 1997

Site of Palmyra

Syrian Arab Republic
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
  • Air pollution
  • Effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Housing
  • Localised utilities
  • Major linear utilities
  • Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure
  • Temperature
  • Water (rain/water table)
  • Other Threats:

    serious weathering of many stone blocks

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • serious weathering of many stone blocks due to capillary rising and variations in humidity and temperature
  • urban growth of the neighbouring agglomeration
  • international tarmac road crosses the site
  • heavy automobile and truck traffic (vibrations, pollution, risk of accidents...)
  • pipeline crossing the southern necropolis
  • brightly-coloured antenna on hill
  • construction of an hotel close to the thermal springs
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Requests approved: 1 (from 1989-1994)
Total amount approved : 15,000 USD
1994 Palmyra: topographical and architectural studies to be ... (Not approved)   0 USD
1989 Contribution to a computer aided design conservation ... (Approved)   15,000 USD
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997

The General Directorate of Antiquities informed the Centre that a decision of principle had been taken concerning the deviation of a busy road which presently crossed the World Heritage site.  Furthermore, the Syrian authorities would be willing to undertake studies for a global conservation plan for the site, including a land use plan and building regulations, in accordance with the recommendations made by UNESCO experts in November 1993.

Action Required

After having taken note of the report of the Secretariat on Palmyra, the Bureau warmly encouraged the Syrian authorities to proceed with the deviation of the busy road which crossed the World Heritage site and to initiate, without delay, the study on a global plan for its conservation.  It recalled that the Centre was always available to provide expert assistance for such projects.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.59
Site of Palmyra (Syrian Arab Republic)

After having taken note of the report of the Secretariat on Palmyra, the Bureau warmly encouraged the Syrian authorities to proceed with the deviation of the busy road which crossed the World Heritage site and to initiate, without delay, the study on a global plan for its conservation. It recalled that the Centre was always available to provide expert assistance for such projects.

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Report year: 1997
Syrian Arab Republic
Date of Inscription: 1980
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Danger List (dates): 2013-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC-97/CONF.204/2B
arrow_circle_right 21COM (1997)
Exports
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* : 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.