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When we arrived at the Andean town of Marcapata after a four-hour journey from Cusco, the green landscapes were full of alpacas grazing under the watchful eye of Ausangate Mountain. Listening to addresses by local leaders, we realized anew the immensity of the project we were there to observe: the long-awaited restoration of the church of San Francisco de Asís.

As the rights of LGBTQ+ people come increasingly under attack around the globe, WMF reiterates our commitment to safeguarding queer historic places as part of our broader project to preserve underrepresented heritage. For this year’s Pride, we’re spotlighting the queer stories and figures tied to some of our projects in the United Kingdom—and celebrating the work that historians and conservation professionals can do to preserve marginalized stories and bring them to light.

Sikien, the traditional earthen houses of the Batammariba people, dot the landscape of the Tribe’s homeland, known as Koutammakou. They have been recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status for their “eloquent testimony to the strength of spiritual association between people and the landscape.” Here are some other interesting facts about these structures:

This Earth Day, we’re highlighting World Monuments Watch sites across the globe that are threatened by climate change and habitat loss—as well as how heritage can provide unique climate mitigation strategies. Read more here: