War in the Middle East: classified heritage destroyed by bombs

Iran and Lebanon: War in the Middle East Threatens Centuries of History

In Iran and Lebanon, the war in the Middle East threatens centuries of history. Israeli-American strikes have devastated historic sites. UNESCO calls on the parties involved to preserve the exceptional heritage of the region.

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The Golestan Palace, a gem of Iranian heritage, is one of the oldest in Tehran. After an American or Israeli strike nearby, the explosion shattered its windows and partially destroyed its famous ceilings adorned with mosaics and mirrors. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s not the only one.

Other palaces have been damaged as well. According to Iranian authorities, a total of 132 sites have been affected. For example, the cultural institute or the Green Palace have suffered damage. “You see this? It fell from above,” explains a man filming and assessing the damage at the Tchehel Sotoun Palace, one of the most beautiful in Isfahan, on social media.

Heritage is also at risk in Lebanon. The city of Tyre in the south is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has once again been bombed recently. Tyre is home to priceless Roman ruins, including one of the oldest hippodromes in the Middle East. Every new strike brings back concerns for the site’s guide. In March, two bombings hit close by, damaging the site’s walls and museum windows.

The guide wants to show that a piece of a building was projected to the archaeological site. “This piece of concrete made it here, a distance of 200 meters from the impact. Luckily, the ruins were not affected. We consider these ruins as the history of Tyre and our ancestors. Of course, we fear for them,” he continues.

Blue shields have been set up to indicate that the heritage is being safeguarded. A meager protection in the midst of war.