The Middle East has in many ways served as the center of the world. The region’s geographical position has seen its lands tread by the Mesopotamian civilizations such as the Sumerians and Assyrians to everyone from the Romans, Egyptians, Ottomans, and even, the Mongols. Many of the world’s religions emerged in the Middle East along with empires that rose and fell. All of this has led to a rich cultural and historical footprint. However, the same conditions — namely, location, age, conflict, and the confluence of cultures — that make the Middle East so fascinating are part of the reason many of its historical sites are in peril. 

For your enjoyment, we put together this list of 11 historical sites of the Middle East on the brink of destruction. For inclusion on this list, a place needs to be:

• Awe-inspiring

• Endangered (by war, earthquake, or neglect)

• Culturally significant

Disclaimer: Many of the inclusions on this list are still at risk due to human conflict, so it’s important to stay current on what is occurring before traveling to any of these places. As always, proceed with caution, but seek adventure.

11) Palmyra, Syria

UNESCO named Palmyra a World Heritage Site in 1980 for its magnificent ruins. Since then, however, ISIS destroyed the great temple of Baal and other significant monuments. This ancient city features architecture that melds the best of the Persian and Mediterranean cultures. 

10) Abu Mena, Egypt

This 3rd century Christian holy city isn’t threatened for the reasons you might think. Not by the fallout of the Arab Spring or terrorism. No, Abu Mena is suffering from a World Bank land-reclamation that caused flooding in northern Egypt. The rising waters pose the risk of collapse for ancient buildings and crypts.

9) Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din, Syria

Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din are majestic Crusader castles that were added to the list of UNESCO heritage sites. However, recent fighting has caused some damage as both provide strategic vantage points and protection in the midst of clashes. 

8) Ashur, Iraq

Ashur was once the capital of the great Assyrian Empire, which ruled the Mesopotamian region nearly three millennia ago. This ancient city, also known as Qal’at Sherqat, was added to the UNESCO threat list in 2003 in large part because of a dam project that could flood the city. However, it remains at risk because of potential for it to continue along with emerging hostilities. 

7) Bosra, Syria

A corrupt regime has since led to violence and rebellion. However, Bosra still contains 1,500 years of Roman history including the construction of a gargantuan theater. 

6) Hatra, Iraq

This two-millennial old city was influenced heavily by the Greeks and the Persians. It was in fact so powerful that the Romance tried and failed on multiple occasions to capture it. ISIS destroyed several monuments and significant sites in 2015. 

5) Aleppo, Syria

Aleppo has been a crossroads city for over 7,000 years. In the past millennium, however, the citizens of Aleppo have built incredible mosques like that of the Umayyads and houses of worship. Much of this incredible architecture has been lost or ravaged by the Syrian Civil War.

4) Samarra, Iraq

Samarra was once one of the Islamic capitals of the world. Its titanic mosques and palaces sit nestles along the banks of the Tigris River. The Iraq War caused UNESCO to add Samara to their endangered list in 2007.

3) Church of the Nativity, Palestine

The Birthplace of Jesus made the UNESCO endangered list due to the immense pressure of tourism. The church and the grotto were constructed in 339 and weren’t exactly built with tourism and pilgrimages in mind. 

2) Damascus, Syria

Damascus is approximately 5,000 years old, but the sites around the city pre-date the city itself. Bombs and conflict have occurred in and around Damascus during the country’s civil war. However, unlike Aleppo, most of its major monuments are still left standing. The architecture and wonders that remain are a mixture of Islamic, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine. 

1) Jerusalem, Israel

As the epicenter of many of the world’s major religions, there’s an air of tension in the Holy Land. Jerusalem and its sacred sites are under threat because of urban development, overtourism, and a lack of care and management.