UNESCO

UNESCO adds 25 new World Heritage Sites including Mount Olympus, Normandy's D-Day beaches

The List of World Heritage Sites includes sites in three categories: cultural sites, natural sites, and mixed sites which combine the two.

This photograph shows a Greek flag painted on rocks at the 2,918 metre high summit of Mytikas, the highest peak of Mount Olympus, northern Greece, on July 6, 2026.
IDF soldiers operating in Lebanon's Beaufort Ridge, shared by the military on May 31, 2026.

UNESCO designates Lebanon's Beaufort Castle, West Bank's Sebastia as World Heritage Sites in Danger

 Israelis visit the site of the ancient village of Sebastia near the West Bank city of Nablus, on April 22, 2019

‘Weaponization of cultural heritage’: Israel accuses PA of exploiting UNESCO in bid for Sebastia

Palestinian employees of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) take part in a protest against job cuts by UNRWA, in Gaza City September 19, 2018.

October 7 massacre findings puts the UN’s credibility on trial - opinion


After 200 years in ruin: Greece unveils complete restoration of Parthenon's western pediment

The external scaffolding hiding the Parthenon’s western face was removed in early June following the completion of the monument’s back wall.

The restored western face of the Parthenon, Greece, July 2, 2026.

Israel damaged heritage sites during ops. against Hezbollah, Lebanese culture minister says

Israel's security zone in southern Lebanon includes the medieval Beaufort Castle as well as centuries-old villages that were home to Christians, Shi'ite Muslims, and Sunni Muslims.

A piece of metal lies at of Al‑Bass Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site hit by an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, June 25, 2026.

Russia denies strike on Kyiv monastery, claims fire caused by faulty US-made Patriot missile

Russia's Defense Ministry said that the Patriot missile could have misfired because it said Western countries had provided Kyiv with arms whose shelf life had expired.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 15, 2026.

Ten killed, historic 975-year-old monastery set on fire as Ukraine faces major Russian attacks

France condemned the strikes, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot describing the attack on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery as akin to bombing Paris' Notre Dame.

Firefighters work at a site of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, which burns after it was hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 15, 2026.

Greece reopens country’s only surviving Byzantine palace after over 40 years of restoration work

The palace dates back to they 14th century and served as the seat of the Despotate of Mystras, a province of the Byzantine Empire. It has been on UNESCO’s list since 1989. 

The Palace of the Despots, in the Castle City of Mystras.

What is Beaufort Castle, the historic Crusader fortress Israel now holds in Lebanon? - explainer

Aside from a smaller fortification present at the site of the current Beaufort Castle, little else is known about the site prior to its capture by the Crusader forces.

An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun, as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on May 31, 2026.

Priceless Romanian artifacts recovered a year after being stolen from Dutch museum

The Dutch government last year paid 5.7 million euros to compensate Romania for the theft.

Golden Helmet of Cotofenesti and gold bracelets recovered after being stolen from a Dutch museum, April 3, 2026.

‘Secrets of ancient Egypt’: Old Kingdom tombs, artifacts discovered on Nile's west bank

The tombs, discovered in the Qubbet el-Hawa site, were complete with shafts and burial chambers.

Pottery vessels, discovered alongside jewelry and other artifacts, inside Old Kingdom tombs at the Qubbet el-Hawa site in Aswan, Egypt, February 26, 2026.

Authorities reveal discovery of fourth century Roman shipwreck off Italy’s southern coast

According to the ministry, the site has been under constant monitoring by Italy’s financial police to “protect the site from possible looting and to preserve its enormous scientific value.”

Divers carrying amphorae from the fourth century AD Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Gallipoli, southern Italy in June 2025.

Israel advances bill for authority over West Bank heritage, archaeology sites

Seven MKs voted in favor of the bill, and five MKs opposed it. It will need to pass three readings in the Knesset’s plenum to become a law.

The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee approved the advancement of a controversial bill to establish an authority to oversee antiquities and heritage sites in the West Bank, February 5, 2026.