The Ukrainian port of Odesa, known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, has been named the newest World Heritage Site – and immediately placed on Unesco’s List of World Heritage in Danger.
As war with Russia puts the city’s cultural treasures – in addition to its people – at risk, Unesco explained the move. “Odesa, a free city, a world city, a legendary port that has left its mark on cinema, literature and the arts, is thus placed under the reinforced protection of the international community,” said Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “While the war continues, this inscription embodies our collective determination to ensure that this city, which has always surmounted global upheavals, is preserved from further destruction.”
Two other places – the Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba in Yemen and the Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli in Lebanon – were also placed on the danger list, taking the total number of threatened World Heritage Sites to 55. Here are some of the most notable from the perspective of travellers.
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