Jerusalem: A World Heritage Site

Brief Description

As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. Among its 220 historic monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral motifs. It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's.

The safeguarding of the monumental, religious and cultural heritage of the Holy City of Jerusalem has been one of UNESCO's main concerns since 1967. To this end, the Executive Board and the General Conference have repeatedly requested the application of internationally recognised principles, especially the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the Hague, 1954), the 1956 New Delhi Recommendation on International Principles Applicable to Archaeological Excavations and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. In conformity with UNESCO's resolutions, financial aid for heritage restoration projects in Jerusalem has been requested from Member States. Favourable responses to these appeals have enabled UNESCO to finance the restoration and conservation of a number of monuments and religious and cultural properties in this city.

The safeguarding of the monumental, religious and cultural heritage of the Holy City of Jerusalem has been one of UNESCO's main concerns since 1967. To this end, the Executive Board and the General Conference have repeatedly requested the application of internationally recognised principles, especially the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the Hague, 1954), the 1956 New Delhi Recommendation on International Principles Applicable to Archaeological Excavations and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. In conformity with UNESCO's resolutions, financial aid for heritage restoration projects in Jerusalem has been requested from Member States. Favourable responses to these appeals have enabled UNESCO to finance the restoration and conservation of a number of monuments and religious and cultural properties in this city.

Further reading:
Official site of Jerusalem
UNESCO - Jerusalem site
The Israel museum
Yad Vashem - The holocaust museum in Jerusalem
The amazing history of Jerusalem - travel in time
Church of the Holy Sepulchre (WikiPedia)