UNESCO to register Naqsh-e Jahan, Bam citadel, world heritage

5/20/04

Shahr-e Kord (Chaharmahal Bakhtiari province), May 20, IRNA -- Two Iranian historic sites are to be enlisted by UNESCO in June, said deputy head of Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization Mohammad Beheshti on Thursday.

The Naqsh-e Jahan square in the central ancient city of Isfahan, 439 km southern Tehran, and the citadel city of Bam in the southeastern quake-stricken city in Kerman province are to be registered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), he said.

Speaking at a seminar in Chaleshtar castle, located five km from Shahr-e Kord, Beheshti said that the citadel of Bam is to be registered as an "at risk" world heritage due to damages caused by an over a 6-degree earthquake which battered the city, 1,233 km from Tehran, on December 23.

In addition to totally destroying the ancient city, the devastating quake left thousands dead, injured and homeless.

Beheshti went on to say that UNESCO will also register Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan square as an "at risk" historic site in the body's next annual summit which takes place in June.

The official also said that more than 3,000 cultural works have been recorded as national works in the last Iranian year 1382 (ended March 19, 2004).

Originally at: http://www.payvand.com/news/04/may/1139.html