WANA (Jul 26) – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has described the inscription of Alamut Castle and its Associated Fortifications on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a symbol of Iran’s enduring civilizational identity, saying the achievement reinforces the country’s historical legacy and cultural standing within the global heritage system.

 

Speaking at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, following the successful inscription of the site as Iran’s 30th tangible cultural property on the World Heritage List, Seyed Reza Salehi-Amiri dedicated the achievement to the Iranian people, the residents of Qazvin Province, and especially the people of the Alamut region, whom he described as the true custodians of this historic heritage.

 

Cultural Heritage and Peace

Salehi-Amiri thanked the members of the World Heritage Committee, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, and the South Korean government for hosting the session. He described Alamut as one of the principal centers of Iran’s civilization and cultural identity.

 

Referring to the principles of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, he said the protection of cultural heritage is only possible through peace, security, mutual respect, and constructive dialogue among nations, emphasizing that cultural heritage belongs to all humanity.

 

Iran’s Rich Historical Legacy

The minister noted that Iran is home to more than 7,000 years of civilization, over one million historical sites, 43,000 nationally registered monuments, and now 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

 

He also referred to recent attacks on Iran, stating that, in addition to the deaths of numerous Iranian citizens—including 168 schoolchildren in Minab—149 historical and cultural sites across the country were damaged.

 

Alamut’s Historical Significance

Salehi-Amiri described Alamut as a key link in the evolution of Iranian architecture, engineering, and defensive systems, saying the site reflects the intelligent use of natural landscapes, engineering expertise, and administrative innovation.

 

He added that the UNESCO inscription is not merely symbolic but marks the beginning of a broader commitment to conservation, research, education, knowledge exchange, and expanded international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.

 

The inscription of Alamut Castle and its Associated Fortifications as Iran’s 30th tangible cultural property on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is regarded as a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s historical and cultural standing while promoting international cooperation in heritage conservation, research, and cultural diplomacy.