UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, has taken the significant step of adding two Ukrainian cities, Kyiv and Lviv, to its ‘in danger’ list. This decision comes as these historic cities face an ongoing threat from the Russian invasion. The announcement was made during UNESCO’s annual World Heritage Committee meeting held in Riyadh.
The inclusion of Kyiv and Lviv on the ‘List of World Heritage in Danger’ is aimed at enhancing the protection of these culturally significant sites. UNESCO’s statement emphasized that this designation would also facilitate additional financial and technical assistance for implementing emergency measures to safeguard these cities.
Specifically, UNESCO added Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the medieval structures of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site to the ‘in danger’ list due to the imminent threat posed by the Russian offensive. These historic sites have been under constant peril since the onset of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.
The decision to designate Kyiv and Lviv as ‘in danger’ sites followed UNESCO’s earlier recognition of Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odessa as a World Heritage Site. Tragically, Odessa’s city center and an Orthodox cathedral sustained damage during the conflict in July.
About Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv: Saint Sophia Cathedral, a prominent landmark in Kyiv, is an architectural masterpiece constructed between 1037 and 1044 during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. It is renowned for its exemplary blend of Byzantine and Ukrainian architectural styles. The cathedral’s exterior is adorned with 13 golden domes, each symbolizing Christ, the Virgin Mary, the apostles, and various saints.
About Lviv: Founded in the late Middle Ages, Lviv boasts a historic center that was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. This enchanting city is celebrated for its rich history, charming architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, making it Ukraine’s most captivating and well-preserved urban treasure.