The greatest buildings you’ll never see: 20 monuments lost in conflict

Kieron Monks, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 4:44 AM EDT, Thu June 22, 2017
Once the largest mosques in the world, built in the 9th century on the Tigris River north of Baghdad. The mosque is famous for the Malwiya Tower, a 52-meter minaret with spiraling ramps for worshipers to climb. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4401577.stm" target="_blank" target="_blank">The site was bombed in 2005</a>, in an insurgent attack on a NATO position, destroying the top of the minaret and surrounding walls.<br /><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2014/10/23/pkg-wedeman-iraq-historical-artifacts-threat-isis.cnn.html"><strong>Video:</strong> ISIS targets historical artifacts</a>
Great Mosque of Samarra —
Once the largest mosques in the world, built in the 9th century on the Tigris River north of Baghdad. The mosque is famous for the Malwiya Tower, a 52-meter minaret with spiraling ramps for worshipers to climb. The site was bombed in 2005, in an insurgent attack on a NATO position, destroying the top of the minaret and surrounding walls.
Video: ISIS targets historical artifacts
Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images
An "oasis in the Syrian desert"<strong> </strong>according to UNESCO, this Aramaic city has stood since the second millennium BC and featured some of the most advanced architecture of the period. The site subsequently evolved through Greco-Roman and Persian periods, providing unique historic insight into those cultures. ISIS now controls the ancient city and has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/08/architecture/palmyra-around-the-world/index.html" target="_blank">destroyed shrines, temples and monuments</a>.
Palmyra, Syria —
An "oasis in the Syrian desert" according to UNESCO, this Aramaic city has stood since the second millennium BC and featured some of the most advanced architecture of the period. The site subsequently evolved through Greco-Roman and Persian periods, providing unique historic insight into those cultures. ISIS now controls the ancient city and has destroyed shrines, temples and monuments.
Getty Images
The most spectacular legacy of Buddhism in the war-torn country, among the tallest standing Buddhas in the world -- the larger at 53 meters, the other 35 -- had survived over 1,500 years since being carved out of sandstone. The Taliban considered the monuments idolatrous and <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/718" target="_blank" target="_blank">destroyed them with dynamite</a>.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan —
The most spectacular legacy of Buddhism in the war-torn country, among the tallest standing Buddhas in the world -- the larger at 53 meters, the other 35 -- had survived over 1,500 years since being carved out of sandstone. The Taliban considered the monuments idolatrous and destroyed them with dynamite.
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Yemen's capital city of Sanaa has seen several <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/20/middleeast/yemen-violence/">suicide bombings</a> for which ISIS claimed responsibility, and air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition -- although it is unclear who is responsible to the latest damage. These have affected both the old fortified city -- inscribed on UNESCO's <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/385" target="_blank" target="_blank">World Heritage List</a> since 1986 -- and the archaeological site of the pre-Islamic walled city of Baraqish, causing "severe damage," <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/unesco-condemns-severe-bombing-damage-sanaa-old-town-163427150.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to UNESCO</a> itself.
Sanaa old city, Yemen —
Yemen's capital city of Sanaa has seen several suicide bombings for which ISIS claimed responsibility, and air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition -- although it is unclear who is responsible to the latest damage. These have affected both the old fortified city -- inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1986 -- and the archaeological site of the pre-Islamic walled city of Baraqish, causing "severe damage," according to UNESCO itself.
Alex Potter
Continually inhabited for 2,500 years, and became the capital of the Romans' Arabian empire. The centerpiece is a magnificent Roman theater dating back to the second century that survived intact until the current conflict. Archaeologists have revealed the site is now severely <a href="http://ghn.globalheritagefund.com/uploads/documents/document_2107.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">damaged from mortar shelling</a>.
The ancient city of Bosra, Syria —
Continually inhabited for 2,500 years, and became the capital of the Romans' Arabian empire. The centerpiece is a magnificent Roman theater dating back to the second century that survived intact until the current conflict. Archaeologists have revealed the site is now severely damaged from mortar shelling.
Fulvio Spada, CC BY-SA 2.0
A world heritage site originally built in 715 by the Umayyad dynasty, ranking it among the oldest mosques in the world. The epic structure evolved through successive eras, gaining its famous minaret in the late 11th century. This was reduced to rubble in the Syrian civil war in 2013, along with serious damage to the walls and courtyard, which historians have described as the worst ever damage to Syrian heritage.
The Great Mosque of Aleppo, Syria —
A world heritage site originally built in 715 by the Umayyad dynasty, ranking it among the oldest mosques in the world. The epic structure evolved through successive eras, gaining its famous minaret in the late 11th century. This was reduced to rubble in the Syrian civil war in 2013, along with serious damage to the walls and courtyard, which historians have described as the worst ever damage to Syrian heritage.
Michael Nicholson/Corbis Historical/Corbis via Getty Images
These 20-meter wide water wheels were first documented in the 5th century, representing an ingenious early irrigation system. Seventeen of the wooden norias (a machine for lifting water into an aqueduct) survived to present day and became Hama's primary tourist attraction, noted for their groaning sounds as they turned. Heritage experts <a href="http://www.dgam.gov.sy/index.php?p=314&id=1374" target="_blank" target="_blank">documented several wheels</a> being burned by fighters in 2014.
Norias of Hama, Syria —
These 20-meter wide water wheels were first documented in the 5th century, representing an ingenious early irrigation system. Seventeen of the wooden norias (a machine for lifting water into an aqueduct) survived to present day and became Hama's primary tourist attraction, noted for their groaning sounds as they turned. Heritage experts documented several wheels being burned by fighters in 2014.
WIKI COMMONS
The fortress spans at least four millennia, from the days of Alexander the Great, through Roman, Mongol, and Ottoman rule. The site has barely changed since the 16th century and is one of Syria's most popular World Heritage sites. The citadel has been used as an army base in recent fighting and several of its historic buildings <a href="http://projects.nytimes.com/watching-syrias-war/footage-shows-damage-to-aleppo-citadel" target="_blank" target="_blank">have been destroyed</a>.
Citadel of Aleppo, Syria —
The fortress spans at least four millennia, from the days of Alexander the Great, through Roman, Mongol, and Ottoman rule. The site has barely changed since the 16th century and is one of Syria's most popular World Heritage sites. The citadel has been used as an army base in recent fighting and several of its historic buildings have been destroyed.
Courtesy Guillaume Piolle/CC-BY-3.0
The covered markets in the Old City are a famous trade center for the region's finest produce, with dedicated sub-souks for fabrics, food, or accessories. The tunnels became the scene of fierce fighting and many of the oldest are<strong> </strong>now damaged beyond recognition, which Unesco has<strong> </strong><a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/940/" target="_blank" target="_blank">described as a tragedy</a>.
Aleppo Souk, Syria —
The covered markets in the Old City are a famous trade center for the region's finest produce, with dedicated sub-souks for fabrics, food, or accessories. The tunnels became the scene of fierce fighting and many of the oldest are now damaged beyond recognition, which Unesco has described as a tragedy.
Getty Images
This French-built suspension bridge was a popular pedestrian crossing and vantage point for its views of the Euphrates River. It became a key supply line in a battle for the city, and <a href="http://www.syriadeeply.org/articles/2013/11/2595/crossing-bridge-death-deir-ezzor/" target="_blank" target="_blank">collapsed under shelling.</a> Deir Ez-zor's Siyasiyeh Bridge was also destroyed.
Deir Ez-zor bridge, Syria —
This French-built suspension bridge was a popular pedestrian crossing and vantage point for its views of the Euphrates River. It became a key supply line in a battle for the city, and collapsed under shelling. Deir Ez-zor's Siyasiyeh Bridge was also destroyed.
Leber/ullstein bild via Getty Images
The<strong> </strong>ancient Assyrian city around Nineveh Province, Iraq was home to countless treasures of the empire, including statues, monuments and jewels. Following the 2003 invasion the site<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/30/internationaleducationnews.arts" target="_blank" target="_blank">has been devastated by looting</a>, with many of the stolen pieces finding homes in museums abroad.
Nimrud, Iraq —
The ancient Assyrian city around Nineveh Province, Iraq was home to countless treasures of the empire, including statues, monuments and jewels. Following the 2003 invasion the site has been devastated by looting, with many of the stolen pieces finding homes in museums abroad.
Flickr Commons
The Crusader castle from the 11th century survived centuries of battles and natural disasters, becoming a World Heritage site in 2006 along with the adjacent castle of Qal'at Salah El-Din. The walls were severely damaged by <a href="http://ghn.globalheritagefund.com/uploads/documents/document_2107.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">regime airstrikes and artillery in 2013</a>, and rebels took positions within it.
Crac des Chevaliers, Syria —
The Crusader castle from the 11th century survived centuries of battles and natural disasters, becoming a World Heritage site in 2006 along with the adjacent castle of Qal'at Salah El-Din. The walls were severely damaged by regime airstrikes and artillery in 2013, and rebels took positions within it.
Courtesy Joris Rietbroek
The purported resting place of biblical prophet Jonah, along with a tooth believed to be from the whale that consumed him. The site dated to the 8th century BC, and was of great importance to Christian and Muslim faiths. It was<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/iraq-violence/"> entirely blown up by ISIS militants in 2014</a> as part of their campaign against perceived apostasy.
Jonah's Tomb, Iraq —
The purported resting place of biblical prophet Jonah, along with a tooth believed to be from the whale that consumed him. The site dated to the 8th century BC, and was of great importance to Christian and Muslim faiths. It was entirely blown up by ISIS militants in 2014 as part of their campaign against perceived apostasy.
Irqai Cultural center
Among Syria's most famous Ottoman-style mosques, which also shows <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/maml/hd_maml.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mamluk</a> influence through its light and dark contrasts. The vast site became a hub of the battle for Homs, itself a front-line of the conflict. The sacred mausoleum has <a href="http://www.apsa2011.com/index.php/en/provinces/homs/monuments/634-homs-state-of-the-bombing-of-khalid-ibn-al-walid-mosque-29-06-2013.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">been completely destroyed</a><strong>,</strong> and much of the interiors burned.
Khaled Ibn Walid Mosque, Syria —
Among Syria's most famous Ottoman-style mosques, which also shows Mamluk influence through its light and dark contrasts. The vast site became a hub of the battle for Homs, itself a front-line of the conflict. The sacred mausoleum has been completely destroyed, and much of the interiors burned.
WIKI COMMONS
Memorial site to the <a href="http://www.armenian-genocide.org/genocide.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">1.5 million killed between 1915</a> and 1923, the Deir Ez-zor became a yearly destination for pilgrims from around the world. The site included a church, museum, and fire that burned continuously. <a href="http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/2014/09/27/iraq-syria-islamic-state-destruction-deir-ez-zor-armenian-genocide-memorial-church/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The complex was destroyed by ISIS in 2014</a><strong>.</strong>
Armenian genocide museum, Syria —
Memorial site to the 1.5 million killed between 1915 and 1923, the Deir Ez-zor became a yearly destination for pilgrims from around the world. The site included a church, museum, and fire that burned continuously. The complex was destroyed by ISIS in 2014.
wiki commons
A key city for the Greeks and Romans, established in 630 BC. Famed as the basis for enduring myths and legends, such as that of the huntress heroine of the same name and bride of Apollo. The ruins were some of the best preserved from that period, but in the wake of Libya's revolution, <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article3856669.ece" target="_blank" target="_blank">vast tracts have been bulldozed</a> including its unique necropolis complex.
Cyrene, Libya —
A key city for the Greeks and Romans, established in 630 BC. Famed as the basis for enduring myths and legends, such as that of the huntress heroine of the same name and bride of Apollo. The ruins were some of the best preserved from that period, but in the wake of Libya's revolution, vast tracts have been bulldozed including its unique necropolis complex.
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Home to one of the world's most impressive collections, with over 100,000 pieces that cover the entirety of Islamic history. The Cairo site was first built in 1881, the museum recently underwent an eight-year multi-million dollar renovation. Shortly after re-opening, a car bomb targeting a nearby police building <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25877201" target="_blank" target="_blank">caused catastrophic damage</a> and forced the museum to close again.
Museum of Islamic Art, Egypt —
Home to one of the world's most impressive collections, with over 100,000 pieces that cover the entirety of Islamic history. The Cairo site was first built in 1881, the museum recently underwent an eight-year multi-million dollar renovation. Shortly after re-opening, a car bomb targeting a nearby police building caused catastrophic damage and forced the museum to close again.
Courtesy B.O'Kane / Alamy
This 121-year-old wooden building, humble but elegant, was home to the nation's first governor general Muhammed Ali Jinnah for the last phase of his life. The residency <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/15/world/asia/pakistan-founder-home-attacked/index.html?hpt=hp_t2">was attacked with rocket fire by a separatist group in 2013</a>, and almost completely demolished. A new structure is being built on the site.
Quaid e Azam residency, Pakistan —
This 121-year-old wooden building, humble but elegant, was home to the nation's first governor general Muhammed Ali Jinnah for the last phase of his life. The residency was attacked with rocket fire by a separatist group in 2013, and almost completely demolished. A new structure is being built on the site.
Wiki commons
A 15-year civil war of incredible brutality, successive battles with Israel, and sweeping urban development has robbed the 'Paris of the Middle East' of much of its visual lustre. Once known for its landscape of swaggering Ottoman, French and Art Deco architecture, officials say just 400 of 1200 protected historic buildings remain.
'Old Beirut', Lebanon —
A 15-year civil war of incredible brutality, successive battles with Israel, and sweeping urban development has robbed the 'Paris of the Middle East' of much of its visual lustre. Once known for its landscape of swaggering Ottoman, French and Art Deco architecture, officials say just 400 of 1200 protected historic buildings remain.
Courtesy Charles Cushman Collection, Indiana University Archives
Before-and-after photographs of the destruction. The US and ISIS trade blame for <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/21/world/mosul-iraq-mosque-destroyed/index.html" target="_blank">its loss</a>.
The Great mosque of al-Nuri, Mosul —
Before-and-after photographs of the destruction. The US and ISIS trade blame for its loss.
AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images/Irqai Military
Precious monuments lost in Middle East
CNN  — 

It is a cruel irony that a region so blessed with the treasures of early human civilizations is also among those most troubled by conflict. As violence threatens to annihilate some of history’s greatest monuments, we count the cost of our irreplaceable losses.