2018 World Monuments Watch

The 2018 World Monuments Watch calls attention to 25 sites, their challenges, opportunities, and the communities that cherish them. Since 1996, when the biennial Watch was founded with support from American Express, the program has issued a call to action for 814 sites facing daunting threats or compelling opportunities for protection, conservation, and engagement. 
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A Look at the 2018 Watch

Since its launch in 1996, the World Monuments Watch has served as a catalyst for action for hundreds of sites, leading to improved safeguarding of places of cultural heritage, more suitable tourism management, and increased community engagement. Here is a look at the 25 sites that make up the 2018 Watch and the challenges they face.

2018 Watch Sites

ATG GovHouse-hero

Government House

St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
The historic Government House in Antigua, once restored, will serve as a beacon for community and educational activities.
Sirius Building with Sydney Harbor

Sirius Building

Millers Point, Sydney, Australia
A storied public housing building in Sydney is for sale, and faces the risk of demolition if heritage protection is not granted.
CHL Ramal - hero

Ramal Talca-Constitución

Talca Province, Chile
Strong community attachment surrounds the last rural railway branch in Chile, which was recently damaged by forest fires.
CHN GrandTheater - hero
Completed Project

Grand Theater, Prince Kung's Mansion

Beijing, China
In Beijing's most celebrated princely residence, the theater building is in need of repairs and restoration, drawing on the best local and international expertise.
EGY Eliyahu - hero

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue

Alexandria, Egypt
The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue is the one of the last remaining witnesses of the once-flourishing Jewish community of Alexandria.
EGY Gulshani - hero
Active Project

Takiyyat Ibrahim al-Gulshani

Cairo, Egypt
A Sufi religious foundation in Cairo, currently in a state of abandonment, is in need of a new vision for its future use.
Active Project

Potager Du Roi

Versailles, France
Stakeholders are poised to reimagine the stewardship of the historic kitchen garden of the Palace of Versailles, a place of instruction and experimentation.
IND Post-Independence Arch - hero

Post-Independence Architecture of Delhi

Delhi, India
A diverse group of buildings from the Post-Independence period in Delhi deserve greater appreciation and legal protection against demolition.

Al-Hadba’ Minaret

Mosul, Iraq
Once a landmark of Mosul, the al-Hadba' Minaret was ignominiously destroyed, leaving the future of the site uncertain.
ISR Lifta - hero

Lifta

Jerusalem, Israel
The ruins of a Palestinian village in Jerusalem are threatened by a redevelopment plan that has faced popular opposition.
ITA Amatrice - hero

Amatrice

Amatrice, Italy
The town of Amatrice was almost completely destroyed by a 2016 earthquake, leading to international interest in its future.
JPN Kagawa - hero
Completed Project

Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium

Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
A modern landmark of Japan is now closed to the public, as its rehabilitation poses a technical challenge and a new use for the structure is sought.
MAR Mellah - hero

Jewish Quarter of Essaouira

Essaouira, Morocco
The crumbling Jewish Quarter of Essaouira remains a symbol of the pluralism of Moroccan culture.
NGA Sukur - hero

Sukur Cultural Landscape

Madagali Local Government Area, Nigeria
The cultural landscape of the Sukur people and their chiefdom has become the target of Boko Haram, and faces conservation challenges.
PAK Karachi - hero

Historic Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan
The built heritage of Karachi is imperiled by massive population growth, and new solutions will be needed for its protection and revitalization.
PER Cerro - hero
Completed Project

Cerro de Oro

Cañete Valley, Peru
A monumental archaeological site seeks sustainable development solutions as it contends with looting and encroachment.
ESP Tebaida - hero
Completed Project

Tebaida Leonesa

El Bierzo, León, Spain
The rural communities of the Tebaida Leonesa face the challenges of preserving the character of their villages and landscape in the face of growing tourism and development.
SYR Aleppo Souk - hero

Souk of Aleppo

Aleppo, Syria
Rehabilitation of the historic souk, a great symbol of the city, will pave the way for the recovery of Aleppo, after the city's social fabric has been torn apart by years of brutal conflict.
THA Chao Phraya - hero

Chao Phraya River

Bangkok, Thailand
The proposed construction of an elevated promenade threatens to irreversibly transform the city of Bangkok's historic relation to the Chao Phraya River.
GBR Blackpool - hero

Blackpool Piers

Blackpool, United Kingdom
Climate change threatens the historic piers of Blackpool, as sea-level rise exacerbates the impact of storm surge caused by extreme weather events.
USA Buffalo - hero

Buffalo Central Terminal

Buffalo, New York, United States
Investment in the redevelopment of the Buffalo Central Terminal would give new life to an architectural landmark and to the surrounding community.
Ben Moore Hotel (c)William Abranowicz

Alabama Civil Rights Sites

Alabama, United States
Renewed stakeholder engagement will bring care and attention to a group of sites associated with key events in the Civil Rights movement.
YEM Ta'izz - hero
Active Project

Old City of Ta’izz

Ta'izz, Yemen
Yemen's medieval capital has become a battlefield, galvanizing local efforts to survey the damage and plan for future conservation efforts.
ZWE Matobo - hero

Matobo Hills Cultural Landscape

Matobo, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe
One of the world's great rock art collections is threatened by deforestation and the risk of fires.
You can help

Together, we can protect our cultural heritage

The Watch is only one step toward protecting these sites, and you can help make the difference! Advocate and be vigilant for heritage sites at risk, and support preservation efforts through the Watch. Any amount large or small will help support Watch sites in many different ways--from supporting conservation to assisting local advocacy efforts.

Visit the World Monuments Watch page to learn more about the program.