Lebanon’s historical landmarks at risk amid ongoing war
Ba’albek Mayor Mustafa al-Shaal confirmed that the damage caused by the assault near the archaeological site of Qubbat Douris poses a major threat to Lebanon’s cultural heritage.
He highlighted that the assault caused part of the upper stones to collapse from the crown and weakened the columns of the dome. Ba’albek Citadel, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with all its historical extensions in the city, are included in these endangered locations.
Qubbat Douris, located to the left of Ba’albek’s southern entrance, dates back to the Ayyubid era, consisting of eight granite columns. Historically, the area was once a grand Roman cemetery.
In a related statement, Minister of Culture Mohammad Wissam Mortada called on UNESCO to take urgent action to protect 95 cultural sites, including Lebanese sites on the World Heritage list. He specifically requested enhanced protection for 34 cultural sites currently at risk from bombardment and proposed filing complaints with relevant authorities.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate General of Antiquities, has prepared forms for enhanced protection of high-importance sites, and UNESCO has responded by scheduling an emergency meeting on November 12, 2024, to address Lebanon’s requests.
It is evident that during the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, the red lines protecting cultural sites have been crossed, signaling an alarming disregard for Lebanon’s heritage, particularly by Israel. This raises growing concerns about the future of the country’s cultural legacy.
