UNESCO Grants Enhanced Protection to 39 Cultural Sites in Lebanon
Following the request from Lebanese authorities, UNESCO granted temporary enhanced protection to 39 cultural sites across the country and allocated over $100,000 in funds for emergency operations on the ground.
The 39 sites now benefit from the highest level of legal protection. They cannot be targeted or used for military purposes. Any violation of these rules would breach the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Second Protocol and could lead to criminal liability.
UNESCO will provide technical and financial support to improve risk management at these sites. It will also organize training for cultural professionals and military personnel to raise awareness and ensure these landmarks are safeguarded.
The list of protected sites:
1. Hermel Pyramid
2. Beit Beirut Museum and Cultural Centre
3. Depot Tahwita
4. Lebanese National Library
5. Bakka Temple
6. Dakwe Archaeological Site
7. Deir El-Achayer Temple
8. Hammara Archaeological Site
9. Kamed El-Loz Archaeological Tell
10. Nebi Safa Archaeological Site
11. Niha Archaeological Site
12. Chhim Archaeological Site
13. Arqa Archaeological Site
14. Felicium Castle and Monastery of Our Lady of the Fortress
15. Maqam El-Rab Temple
16. Megalithic Tombs of Menjez
17. Hasbaya Shehabi Serail
18. Qabr Hiram Archaeological Monument
19. Qana Cave Archaeological Site
20. Shawakeer Archaeological Tell
21. The Historic Centre of Saida: Audi Soap Museum
22. The Historic Centre of Saida: Debbane Palace, Sacy Palace and Khan Sacy Cluster
23. The Historic Centre of Saida: El-Kikhia Mosque Cluster
24. The Historic Centre of Saida: El-Omari Great Mosque
25. The Historic Centre of Saida: Hammam El-Ward
26. The Historic Centre of Saida: Khan El-Franj and Terra Santa Convent Cluster
27. The Historic Centre of Saida: Khan El–Qeshleh
28. The Historic Centre of Saida: Saint Nicholas Church
29. Barsbay Tower
30. Tripoli: El-Burtassi Mosque
31. Tripoli: El-Mansouri Mosque Cluster
32. Tripoli: El-Tawba Mosque
33. Tripoli: The Mamluk Madrassas Cluster
34. Tripoli: Hammam El-Jadid Cluster
35. Tripoli: Hammam Ezzedine Cluster
36. Tripoli: Khan El-Askar Cluster
37. Tripoli: Khan El-Saboun Cluster
38. Tripoli: Souk Haraj
39. Tripoli: Taynal Mosque
Enhanced protection is essential
UNESCO is working closely with Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture to secure and preserve artifacts, monitor historical sites via satellite, and assess any damage. So far, damage has been confirmed in Tyre and surrounding areas. The organization remains ready to provide additional support and reminded all parties of their obligations to protect cultural heritage, even during armed conflicts.
As airstrikes continue to devastate villages, ancient archaeological sites remain under constant threat. UNESCO had granted enhanced protection to 34 heritage sites in 2024. Continued aggression against Lebanese territories puts the country’s rich cultural legacy at risk.
