Who would have thought that the moon one day would be added to the list of endangered heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund (WMF)?
WMF is an organisation dedicated to protecting cultural heritage sites around the globe. Every year, it compiles a list of heritage sites it deems at risk and aims to build awareness about it. Now, you would assume all these heritage sites are on earth.
But surprisingly, this year, it has included one particular site that’s out-of-the-wolrd. Literally! They have recently included the moon in their annual list of endangered sites.
But Why Moon?
Bénédicte de Montlaur, president and CEO of WMF, told The Art Newspaper that the moon was included because of “mounting risks amidst accelerating lunar activities” that lack proper preservation measures. She stressed the need to protect artefacts representing humanity’s first ventures beyond Earth, describing this as a “defining moment in our shared history.”
“For the first time, the Moon is included on the Watch to reflect the urgent need to recognize and preserve the artefacts that testify to humanity’s first steps beyond Earth—a defining moment in our shared history,” said WMF president and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur in a statement.
“The inclusion of the Moon underscores the universal need for proactive and cooperative strategies to protect heritage—whether on Earth or beyond—that reflect and safeguard our collective narrative,” de Montlaur added.
What All Is Included In The List?
WMF’s 2025 features 25 sites on Earth and space.
Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape, Zambia
Belfast Assembly Rooms, Northern Ireland, UK
Bhuj Historic Water Systems, India
Buddhist Grottoes of Maijishan and Yungang, China
Chapel of the Sorbonne, France
Chief Ogiamien’s House, Nigeria
Cinema Studio Namibe, Angola
Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, Mongolia
Gaza Historic Urban Fabric, Palestine
Historic City of Antakya, Turkey
Historic Lighthouses of Maine, US
Jewish Heritage of Debdou, Morocco
Kyiv Teacher’s House, Ukraine
Monasteries of the Drino Valley, Albania
Musi River Historic Buildings, India
Hokuriku Region, Japan
Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites, Japan
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System in South America
Ruins of Old Belchite, Spain
Serifos Historic Mining Landscape, Greece
Swahili Coast Heritage Sites (Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania)
Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal
The Great Trading Path, US
The Moon
Waru Waru Agricultural Fields, Peru
Water Reservoirs of Tunis Medina, Tunisia
