World Monuments Fund Announces 2025 Watch, Highlighting Sites Facing Global Challenges

The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has unveiled its 2025 World Monuments Watch, a biennial advocacy program spotlighting 25 historic sites from around the globe that are grappling with significant challenges, including climate change, tourism pressures, conflict, and natural disasters. Among this year’s diverse selection of sites are Gaza’s Historic Urban Fabric, the Swahili Coast in Africa, Ukraine’s Teacher’s House in Kyiv, the Old City of Antakya in Türkiye, and even the Moon. The full list spans 29 countries across five continents, underscoring the program’s wide-reaching impact.

From left to right, first row : Aerial view of temples carved into Maiji Mountain (China). Photo : WMF; Exterior view of the Assembly Rooms. Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom). Photo : Joe Laverty; Storm surf at Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth (United States). Photo : Dominic Trapani. Second row : Detail of decay roof in Old Belchite (Spain). Photo WMF; Astronaut Buzz Aldrin's footprint on the Moon, June 20, 1969. Photo : NASA; Aerial landscape of a Waru Waru agricultural field (Peru). Photo : WMF.

Preserving Global Heritage

Since its inception in 1996, the World Monuments Watch has played a pivotal role in the field of heritage preservation. By raising awareness and mobilizing action, the program has helped communities around the world leverage cultural heritage to confront pressing contemporary issues. To date, WMF has supported over 700 projects in 112 countries, contributing more than $120 million to nearly 350 Watch sites. The program’s visibility has also helped local communities secure an additional $300 million in funding from various sources.

Notable Sites on the 2025 Watch

This year’s list includes a wide array of culturally significant locations. One standout site is Belfast’s Assembly Rooms in Northern Ireland, constructed in 1769. Known for its rich history as a center for political discourse, business, and entertainment, the building hosted pivotal events such as the 1786 defeat of a proposal to establish a Belfast-based company trading enslaved Africans and the renowned 1792 harp assembly. Currently vacant and in need of substantial conservation, plans are underway to transform the structure into the Museum of the Troubles and Peace. This initiative aims to restore its role as a space for dialogue and reflection while honoring Belfast’s history and fostering reconciliation.

A Comprehensive List of the 2025 Watch Sites

Monasteries of the Drino Valley, Albania
Cinema Studio Namibe, Angola
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Buddhist Grottoes of Maijishan and Yungang, China
Swahili Coast Heritage Sites, Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania
Chapel of the Sorbonne, France
Serifos Historic Mining Landscape, Greece
Bhuj Historic Water Systems, India
Musi River Historic Buildings, India
Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites, Japan
Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, Mongolia
Jewish Heritage of Debdou, Morocco
Chief Ogiamien’s House, Nigeria
Gaza Historic Urban Fabric, Palestine
Waru Waru Agricultural Fields, Peru
Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal
Ruins of Old Belchite, Spain
Water Reservoirs of the Tunis Medina, Tunisia
Historic City of Antakya, Türkiye
Kyiv Teacher’s House, Ukraine
Belfast Assembly Rooms, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The Great Trading Path, United States
Historic Lighthouses of Maine, United States
Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape, Zambia
The Moon

Each site on the list exemplifies the power of cultural heritage to inspire and unite communities while addressing contemporary global challenges. From the conservation of historic urban fabrics to the promotion of sustainable tourism, these projects demonstrate the importance of heritage preservation in a rapidly changing world.

For more information, visit World Monuments Fund’s website.