An abbreviation for “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,” UNESCO contributes to security and peace by promoting international cooperation in education, culture, science, information, and communication. The organization promotes the sharing of knowledge and the free flow of ideas with the goal of accelerating mutual understanding. UNESCO programs also contribute towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

In 1942, during World War II, the governments of several European nations united in the fight against Axis powers gathered in the United Kingdom for the Conference of Allied Minsters of Education. Although the war was far from won at this point, those countries joined forces seeking ways and means to rebuild their education systems after peace was restored. 

The movement rapidly gained momentum, acquiring a universal character. The United States, along with several other governments, also decided to join. 

In November 1945, a UN Conference was convened in London with the aim of establishing an educational and cultural organization, World War II having only just ended when the conference opened. The 44 nations that joined the organization intended it to embody a genuine culture of peace, establishing an “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” to prevent another world war in the future. 

UNESCO later spearheaded the concept of “world heritage” in response to the threatened destruction of the Ramses II temple in Abu Simbel, Egypt, to make way for the construction of the Aswan Dam. Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most important cultural monuments, the site and its inestimable archaeological remains were rescued from demolition by global action initiated by UNESCO, setting in motion international discussion regarding the need for a global convention to protect important cultural and natural heritage sites around the world. 

In November 1972, UNESCO adopted a convention safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The convention was created with the intention of protecting sites of “outstanding universal value,” a term that is intended to describe locations that are so exceptional in terms of cultural or natural significance that they transcend national boundaries, and are deemed to be of common importance for current and future generations of humanity. 

To be considered for addition to the World Heritage List, sites must satisfy at least one of the following criteria: 

1. Represent a masterpiece of human creation. 

2. Exhibit an important interchange of human values, within a cultural area of the world or over a span of time, on developments in architecture, monumental arts, town planning, landscape design, or technology. 

3. Bear a unique or exceptional testimony to a civilization or cultural tradition. 

4. Be an outstanding building, technological or architectural ensemble, or a landscape that illustrates significant stages in human history. 

5. Be an outstanding example of a traditional settlement, sea-use, or land-use that is representative of one or more cultures, or human interaction with the environment, particularly if it is vulnerable to the impact of irreversible change. 

6. Be tangibly or directly associated with living traditions or events, beliefs, ideals, or with literary and artistic work. 

7. Contain superlative areas of exceptional natural beauty, natural phenomena, or aesthetic importance. 

8. Be outstanding examples representing major stages in the history of the earth, including the development of landforms, significant ongoing geological processes, the record of life, or significant physiographic or geomorphic features. 

9. Be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing biological and ecological processes in the development and evolution of terrestrial, coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems and communities of animals and plants. 

10. Contain the most significant and important natural habitats for in situ conservation of biodiversity, including sites that contain threatened species of outstanding value from the point of view of conservation or science. 

Operational guidelines for implementation of the World Heritage Convention delineate criteria for inclusion on the World Heritage List. To qualify, sites must be of outstanding value and meet at least 1 out of 10 selection criteria. 

12 of the earliest additions to the World Heritage List were: 

1. Nahanni National Park, Canada 

2. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park, Canada 

3. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 

4. The city of Quito, Ecuador 

5. Rock-Hewn Churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia. 

6. Simien National Park, Ethiopia 

7. Krakow’s historic center, Poland 

8. Bochnia and Wieliczka Salt Mines, Poland 

9. Aachen Cathedral, Germany 

10. The Island of Goree, Senegal 

11. Yellowstone National Park, United States 

12. Mesa Verde National Park, United States 

UNESCO convenes annually to decide the next troupe of sites to be added to the World Heritage List. Sites nominated in 2022 included the Frescoes of Padua in Italy, a collection of fresco cycles painted between 1302 and 1397, the site providing a visual record of the evolution of creative expression through the 14th century. 

Another nomination for inclusion in 2022 was Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, a vast forest area situated on the Thailand-Myanmar border that is home to an array of tropical plant species, as well as endangered animal species such as the Asian Giant Tortoise, Asiatic Wild Dog, Asian Elephant, and Siamese Crocodile.

From the Pyramids of Giza to the prehistoric cave art of Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria, the Middle East boasts some of the most important cultural attractions in the world. Serving as invaluable symbols of religious, cultural, and national identity, these historic sites attract visitors from around the world. 

Home to some of the earliest human settlements, which were established as mankind migrated from Africa, the Middle and near East provides links to the Spice Route, Silk Road, and other early trading routes. However, after decades of conflict, the future of many of these important historic sites has been placed in jeopardy. 

In recent years, UNESCO has strived to preserve the MENA region’s rich cultural heritage, making ambitious efforts to repair or re-create what has already been lost. In this article we explore a selection of highly impressive Middle Eastern UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

1. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt 

The sole surviving Wonder of the World, the Pyramids of Giza need little introduction, ranking among the best-know monuments on earth. The site’s extraordinary pyramids, funerary monuments, and temples are must-see attractions that draw sizeable crowds throughout the year. Although the three main pyramids—Cheops, Mycerinus, and Chephren—are the most famous, there are more than 130 others located throughout the country. 

Also known as the Great Pyramid, Cheops is believed to be constructed from more than 2 million stone blocks ranging in weight from two to more than 50 tons. Historians still speculate how exactly these blocks were moved to their current location. They believe that more than 100,000 people were involved in the Pyramids’ construction. 

While experts once thought that the Pyramids of Giza were built using slave labor, some historians now believe that they may have been constructed by paid workers. Like all Egyptian pyramids, the Pyramids of Giza are located on the River Nile’s west bank, since it is on this side of the river that the sun sets in the evening, symbolizing the realm of the dead. 

2. Palmyra, Syria 

According to UNESCO, Palmyra was one of the ancient world’s most important cultural cores. Indeed, the city has been described as the heart of several ancient civilizations, merging local traditions with Persian and Greco-Roman influences. 

Of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites currently located in Syria, every single one has sustained damage in the country’s decade-long civil war. Palmyra suffered some of the heaviest damage after ISIS took control of the region in 2015, destroying the 2,000-year-old pagan Temple of Baalshamin, as well as the Mesopotamian-era Temple of Bel. 

Palmyra attracted as many as 150,000 visitors annually before the civil war started in 2011. Russian-backed Syrian forces eventually drove ISIS from the site. However, to date, reconstruction efforts have been limited due to continued conflict in the region. 

3. Ephesus, Turkey 

The most famous and frequently visited ruins in the nation, the ancient city of Ephesus is in Turkey’s Central Aegean region near the contemporary city of Selçuk. The excavated remains reflect the region’s checkered past, from classical Greek to Roman times. 

Ephesus was originally founded in the 10th century BCE by an Athenian prince. Under the stewardship of Androklos and his successors, the city expanded and prospered, until it was assaulted by the Cimmerians and ravaged in 650 BCE. 

Highlights of the World Heritage Site include the Temple of Hadrian, which was finished in 118 CE; the derelict shell of Library of Celsus; the Cave of the Seven Sleepers; and the classical theatre, where historians believe that Saint Paul preached to the pagans. 

4. Al Aqsa Compound, Jerusalem 

Long recognized as the heart of Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—the old city’s steps, alleyways, and cobbled streets are filled with history. Jerusalem under occupation, and soldiers are a common sight. Despite this, the city continues to thrive, with significant numbers of international tourists visiting year-round. 

The Al-Aqsa compound is in the center of Jerusalem, filled with beautiful stones and olive trees. The Dome of the Rock can even be seen. When the call to prayer rings out, religious pilgrims and locals alike flock to the mosque. With guards stationed at the door to the compound, tourists are usually only granted entrance one day a week, usually on a Sunday, although this is subject to change at any given time. 

5. Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria 

Situated on a vast plateau in the Sahara, the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park contains one of the world’s most amazing collections of prehistoric cave art. Comprising somewhere in the region of 15,000 engravings and paintings spanning approximately 10,000 years, this ancient artwork provides precious early records of animal migration, climatic changes, and the evolution of humanity. 

The collection includes examples from distinct rock art traditions, including works from the “round head” period that is the oldest artwork on site. These pieces are engraved representations linked to ceremonies and rituals conducted by the hunter-gatherers of the day. Newer, 3,000-year-old illustrations from the cattle period depict social aspects and daily life in prehistoric times. 

Encompassing eroded sandstone “rock forests” make the landscape look alien and unfamiliar. As a result of these unusual formations, Tassili n’Ajjer National Park is also of considerable geological significance. 

The ancient Venetians called the Greek island Spetses Isola de Spezzie, which translates to English as the “Island of Fragrance.” The moniker is attributed to the many aromatic herbs found in the island’s mountainous regions. 

Forming part of the Argosaronic Islands alongside Aegina, Poros, and Hydra, Spetses sits at the entrance of the Argolic Gulf and is the southernmost island of the group. Like Hydra, Spetses played a crucial role in the Greek Revolution of 1821. It is also the birthplace of Laskarina Bouboulina, the renowned female naval commander. Bouboulina was the first woman to achieve the rank of admiral, and she led her fleet to victory in the Greek War of Independence. 

Spetses was one of the first Greek islands to attract international tourists. Today, it can be reached by ferry from the Greek port cities of Piraeus or Kosta. A beautiful island offering both tranquility and a cosmopolitan edge, Spetses is home to numerous picturesque beaches and bays, boasting a charming old harbor and various interesting historical sites. 

Mesolithic flint spearheads have been discovered in the town of Zogheria on Spetses island. Historians believe they were left by inhabitants of the Fraghthi cave on the mainland who ventured to the island in search of drinking water. Spetses’ earliest inhabitants are believed to be seafarers who stopped off as they passed the island on their journey from the Peloponnese to the Cyclades. 

Near the end of the Mycenaean Era (around 1170 BCE), Spetses was attacked by the Mycenaeans. Experts believe that the ancient inhabitants of Spetses played an important role in the Battle of Salamis. The island was also attacked by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War. 

Spetses was an important naval base for mainland cities; it was relied on by both the Greek and Roman empires. However, the island’s coastal regions were eventually abandoned by locals following repeated attacks by Ottoman pirates. It is believed that most inhabitants of Spetses fled, seeking refuge in the coastal towns of the Peloponnese, which were defended by Rome at the time. 

Following the division of the Byzantine Empire, Spetses came under Venetian rule. In 1460 the Venetians were replaced by Turks. 

Later came a wave of Arvanite refugees fleeing the Peloponnese, settling in the bays of Agioi Anargyroi and Zogheria. These new island inhabitants started cultivating the land and imported livestock. They quickly realized the significant demand for the island’s pines and built small ships to transport timber across the Mediterranean. By 1715, the community at Kastelli had started to take shape. 

Cooperating with the Russians in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 to 1774, the Greek Coalition turned Spetses’ sizable merchant fleet into a mighty naval power, revolting against the Ottoman Empire during the Orlov Revolt. In response, the Turks destroyed the only village on the island of Spetses in 1770. 

Spetses played a major role in the Greek Revolution. With the courage and patriotism of Spetsiots hailed as unbeatable, the island was the first to respond to the revolutionary call in 1821. Spetses pledged its powerful fleet in the fight to repel the Ottoman Turks, participating in the liberation of Mani, Nafplio, Monemvasia, and Messolongi. It also played a major role in the siege and conquest of Tripolitsa. 

The Spetses fleet also sailed to Crete to attack the Egyptian fleet, which was allied with the Ottoman Turks. Powerful Spetsiot ships were used to transport supplies across Greece throughout the Greek Revolution, carrying weapons and munitions to other islands that joined the fight for liberation. 

Following her husband’s death, the Spetsiot captain Laskarina Bouboulina took command of his fleet, becoming an active member of the secret revolutionary organization Filiki Etairia. She led many important battles, sacrificing her fortune to finance the war and earning a place as one of the most celebrated heroes of the Greek Revolution. Born in 1771, Bouboulina lost two husbands to pirate attacks throughout her lifetime, using the fortune and ships she inherited to fuel Greece’s fight for independence. 

Today, some of Spetses’ most popular attractions include the old harbor, Baltiza. Located 1.5 kilometers from Spetses’ new harbor, Dapia, Baltiza was an important shipbuilding center in the 18th and 19th centuries. Standing to the right of the old harbor, the Baltiza lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece. 

Housed in the Mansion of Hatzigianni-Mexi, a prominent 19th-century tradesperson, the Museum of Spetses exhibits a variety of items cataloging the history of the island of Spetses from ancient to modern times. In addition, the private Bouboulina Museum is located in the home of Bouboulina, displaying a collection of household furnishings and personal objects that belonged to the Spetsiot hero. The traditional mansion is well worth a visit in itself, particularly for the main saloon’s intricately carved wooden Florentine ceiling. 

Lying in the Aegean Sea between the Argolic Gulf and the Saronic Gulf, Hydra forms part of the Saronic Islands. With just a narrow strip of ocean separating it from the Peloponnese, the name “Hydra” stems from the Greek word for water, earning its name from the many natural springs found on the island. 

Consisting of the islands of Hydra and Dokos, along with several uninhabited islets, the municipality of Hydra covers an area of just over 64 square kilometers in total. Hydra is a province in the Piraeus Prefecture. Its main town, Hydra Port, consists of a crescent-shaped harbor surrounded by shops, restaurants, galleries and markets catering to locals and tourists alike. Here, steep stone streets lead away from the harbor, with most local residences and tourist accommodation found on this area. Other villages on the island of Hydra include Kamini, Palamidas, Mandraki, Molos, Vlychos, and Episkopi. Hydra’s economy is largely dependent on tourism, with domestic travelers accounting for a sizable proportion of visitors. Catamarans and hydrofoils from the port city of Piraeus on the Greek mainland serve the island, stopping first at Poros, then Hydra, then Spetses. 

By law, motorcycles and cars are banned from the island of Hydra. The only motor vehicles allowed are rubbish trucks. Popular modes of public transport include horses, donkeys, mules, and water taxis. However, the inhabited part of Hydra is so compact that most people walk everywhere. 

Idyllic destination 
 
Built in the shape of an amphitheater overlooking the ocean, Hydra is one of the most idyllic destinations in all of Greece. Its narrow cobblestoned streets are flanked by traditional stone mansions and secluded squares, lending Hydra a very distinctive atmosphere. 

Thanks to its great naval and commercial past, the island has seen exceptional economic growth. Hydriots made a significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence, the island putting the weight of its powerful fleet behind several critical sea battles. Another impressive fact about Hydra is that the tiny island has produced five Greek prime ministers. 

Lavish stone mansions commissioned by prominent families were built on Hydra by Italian artisans. Today, most of these mansions serve as museums. The island is also home to six monasteries and 300 churches. 

Walking along the waterfront in the heart of Hydra Port, visitors encounter monuments, mansions, museums, churches, canons, and statues of local heroes. There is also the old gunpowder store, as well as numerous shops and cafes. The upper part of the town’s picturesque winding streets lead visitors to the several residential areas, including the old neighborhood of Kiafas. 

Renowned in the yachting world 
 
In the yachting world, Hydra is renowned, attracting groups of sailing boats in the summer that moor in the harbor, alongside dozens of powerful speedboats. 

Hydra was made famous by the 1957 movie, Boy on a Dolphin starring Sophia Loren. The island has several excellent beaches, including Limnioniza, which many locals cite as the finest beach on the island. Visitors have to work hard to get there, however, since it is reached via a two-hour hike. 

Relatively little is known about Hydra’s history until the beginning of the Ottoman rule. Historians believe that the island’s first settlers were Mycenaeans, with excavations suggesting they settled the island in ancient times. 

First major historical event  
 
The first major historical event recorded on Hydra took place in the 15th century. Following the fall of Constantinople, island inhabitants started moving inland, hiding in the mountains to escape from invading Turks and pirate raids. Around 1460, Hydra welcomed refugees from Epirus, Evia, Crete, Kythnos, Albania and Asia Minor. 

During the 17th century, Hydra started to build a powerful merchant fleet. However, the plague of 1792 decimated the island’s population, with many of those who did survive moving away. This improved during the 18th century, when the island became powerful and prosperous again due to its fleet, trading with other regions of Greece, as well as Spain, France, and America. Many Peloponnese fleeing the Russo-Turkish War settled here in the 18th century. 

The Hydriot fleet’s superiority reached its peak during the Napoleonic wars, during which Hydra effectively monopolized sea transport throughout the Mediterranean following creation of its Merchant Marine Academy. The islanders fortified the harbor of Hydra Port with bastions of cannons to protect the fleet during the Greek Revolution, with many wealthy sea captains providing economic support for the Revolution and using their vessels as warships. In fact, the heroism of Hydra’s inhabitants combined with the superiority of its fleet is credited as a driving force behind the Revolution’s success. 

Today, Hydra attracts international jet setters, having served as a vacation retreat for many famous names over the years, including Aristotle Onassis, Leonard Cohen, and Maria Callas. Boasting world-class museums and stunning architecture, Hydra also has a traditional side, with the picturesque enclaves of Vlichos and Kaminia providing visitors with an authentic taste of village life.