Wars do more than destroy buildings — they can erase centuries of human memory. From ancient monuments and museums to irreplaceable heritage sites, historic treasures are increasingly caught in the crossfire. As conflicts intensify around the world, experts warn that priceless artefacts, cultural landmarks and shared history could disappear forever, leaving future generations with only fragments of the past.


How modern war is systematically erasing human history 

There are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally as of 2025. Along with monuments from the past, these sites are also a living symbol of culture, history, architecture, and biodiversity. Here is a list of the top 10 countries with the most UNESCO sites.

There are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally as of 2025. Along with monuments from the past, these sites are also a living symbol of culture, history, architecture, and biodiversity. Here is a list of the top 10 countries with the most UNESCO sites.

Who leads world in UNESCO sites? Top 10 countries revealed, India rank will surprise you

The United Nations' cultural organisation placed the World Heritage Sites located in Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv on its list of places “in danger” on Friday (September 15), stating that they stand at risk from the war sparked due to the invasion of the country by Russia.

The decision, which was taken in the meeting of UNESCO's annual World Heritage committee in Riyadh, is the first step towards excluding these sites from UNESCO's World Heritage List which features 1,157 sites.

UNESCO, in a statement, said that it had included Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the medieval buildings standing in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site of the city to the list "due to the threat of destruction the Russian offensive poses". 
 
The statement added that the officials decided because "optimal conditions are no longer met to fully guarantee the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and that it is threatened by potential danger due to the war".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/relief-for-australia-as-great-barrier-reef-stays-off-unesco-danger-list-621258">Relief for Australia as Great Barrier Reef stays off UNESCO danger list</a>

It stated that two historic sites have "remained under permanent threat since the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022". Saint Sophia Cathedral, present in Kyiv, dates back to the 11th century and is among the best-known landmarks of the city. 
 
The western Ukrainian city of Lviv, which is near the Polish border, came into existence in the late Middle Ages and in 1998, the city's historic centre was inscribed on the World Heritage List. 
 
The step was taken after a decision was taken by UNESCO in January to add the centre of the Black Sea port of Odesa in Ukraine to the World Heritage List.

WATCH |&nbsp;Venice avoids UNESCO world heritage downgrade

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/venice-avoids-unesco-world-heritage-downgrade-636109/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In July, the city centre of Odesa and an Orthodox cathedral suffered damages in a Russian strike, which was condemned by UNESCO.

<h2>Venice escapes UNESCO world heritage downgrade</h2>

The UNESCO on Thursday stopped short of adding Venice to the list of world heritage sites in danger. The Italian city was being considered by UNESCO due to increasing water levels and mass tourism. 
 
"The Committee has taken the decision not to include Venice on the list of World Heritage in Danger," said a UNESCO source, while speaking. Italy's Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano stated that it was "a great victory for Italy and for common sense". 
 
“Venice is in danger from rising water levels, attributed to climate change, and excessive numbers of tourists,” said Lazare Eloundou Assomo, UNESCO's Director of World Heritage, before the Riyadh meeting.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The United Nations' cultural organisation placed the World Heritage Sites located in Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv on its list of places “in danger” on Friday (September 15), stating that they stand at risk from the war sparked due to the invasion of the country by Russia.

The United Nations' cultural organisation placed the World Heritage Sites located in Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv on its list of places “in danger” on Friday (September 15), stating that they stand at risk from the war sparked due to the invasion of the country by Russia. The decision, which was taken in the meeting of UNESCO's annual World Heritage committee in Riyadh, is the first step towards excluding these sites from UNESCO's World Heritage List which features 1,157 sites. UNESCO, in a statement, said that it had included Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the medieval buildings standing in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site of the city to the list "due to the threat of destruction the Russian offensive poses". The statement added that the officials decided because "optimal conditions are no longer met to fully guarantee the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and that it is threatened by potential danger due to the war". ALSO READ | Relief for Australia as Great Barrier Reef stays off UNESCO danger list It stated that two historic sites have "remained under permanent threat since the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022". Saint Sophia Cathedral, present in Kyiv, dates back to the 11th century and is among the best-known landmarks of the city. The western Ukrainian city of Lviv, which is near the Polish border, came into existence in the late Middle Ages and in 1998, the city's historic centre was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The step was taken after a decision was taken by UNESCO in January to add the centre of the Black Sea port of Odesa in Ukraine to the World Heritage List. WATCH | Venice avoids UNESCO world heritage downgrade In July, the city centre of Odesa and an Orthodox cathedral suffered damages in a Russian strike, which was condemned by UNESCO. Venice escapes UNESCO world heritage downgrade The UNESCO on Thursday stopped short of adding Venice to the list of world heritage sites in danger. The Italian city was being considered by UNESCO due to increasing water levels and mass tourism. "The Committee has taken the decision not to include Venice on the list of World Heritage in Danger," said a UNESCO source, while speaking. Italy's Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano stated that it was "a great victory for Italy and for common sense". “Venice is in danger from rising water levels, attributed to climate change, and excessive numbers of tourists,” said Lazare Eloundou Assomo, UNESCO's Director of World Heritage, before the Riyadh meeting. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukrainian cities Kyiv, Lviv on UNESCO's list of heritage 'in danger'

Iraq only has a few remaining heritage sites left. Among these is the Ezekiel Synagogue which is at the risk of collapsing at present as restoration work is yet to begin.

Ezekiel Synagogue at the risk of collapsing, restoration work is yet to begin

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How modern war is systematically erasing human history

Who leads world in UNESCO sites? Top 10 countries revealed—Check India's rank

Ukrainian cities Kyiv, Lviv on UNESCO's list of heritage 'in danger'

Ezekiel Synagogue at the risk of collapsing, restoration work is yet to begin