Since 1978 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – UNESCO has been designating important sites worldwide, places that are of outstanding universal value to humanity. The World Heritage List currently includes 1007 diverse and unique places in 161 countries around the world with cultural and natural value.

The nomination proposal is submitted by the country itself to the World Heritage Committee. A site must go through a nomination process before being considered for inscription. If the nomination meets at least one of the ten necessary criteria, the property becomes inscribed on the World Heritage List. The preservation and protection of the site thereafter will be a concern of the international World Heritage Community as a whole.

The Middle East has outstanding cultural heritage, a wealth of history. The region occupies Northwest Asia and Egypt including large countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen or Iraq just to mention a few, all boast of diverse cultures. Even though the region is considered to be a centre of war, and therefore not the safest place to travel to, people who skip these countries will be missing a lot. Careful planing, avoiding danger zones and being up-to-date with the current political situation make it possible to visit these countries safely and it will be a highly rewarding holiday. We have selected a list of outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Sites in ten different countries in the Middle East.

1. Hatra and Nimrud, Iraq

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Hatra and Nimrud are 3000 and 2000 year old ancient cities founded by early Islamic civilisation, both of them are cultural heritages of Iraq and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hatra was a religious and trading centre of the Parthian empire, it survived several invasions before being razed in AD 241. It is an important archaeological site with well-preserved ruins.

Photograph found on National Geographic/Alamy

Over recent weeks these sites has been attacked and bulldozed by the extremists known as Daesh. The aim of UNESCO is to protect and preserve the cultural heritage for future generations and the organisation is now working together with experts, along with intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to block black market trade in artefacts and train specialists in to, where possible, help protection for cultural sites.

2. The Ancient City of Petra, Jordan

Photograph taken by Dennis Jarvis

The capital of the Nabataean Arabs, Petra is the most famous and important archeological site in Jordan. It was inhabited since the prehistoric times and began to prosper from the 1st century BC as a major caravan centre for the incense of Arabia, the silks of China and the spices of India, a crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Each year thousands of visitors arrive to wonder between the carved rock walls and gorges.

3. Memphis and its Necropolis – The Pyramid Fields, Egypt

Photograph found on www.99traveltips.com

The Egyptian pyramids are the most well-known monuments on the African continent, barely need any introduction. The only member of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World that are still standing are the remains of the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. With its extraordinary funerary monuments, rock tombs, temples and pyramids are a must see despite of the crowd that it sees all year around.

4. The Old City of Jerusalem, Israel

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Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and the holy city for three religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The old city and its walls are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and look back to a history of 3000 years. This is a fascinating place with rich cultural and spiritual heritages. Wandering around the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter is lika walk through history.

5. Bahla Fort, Oman

Photograph taken by Dragan Tapshanov

One of the greatest examples of historic medieval Omani architecture, the fort of Bahla was built in the 13th and 14th century. Located at the feet of the mountains called Djebel Akhdar the massive fortress includes many towers, mosques and wells. It is probably the best World Heritage Site that Oman present to the world.

6. Persepolis, Iran

Photograph taken by Mohammad Reza Tavajjoh

Iran has one of the oldest civilisations in the world with a fascinating history and culture. This huge country has 17 sites inscribed in world heritage list. One of them is Persepolis, probably the most important historical site of Iran. The name literally means ´city of persians´. The earliest remains of the capital of the Persian (Achaemenid) Empire date back to 515 BC and was built by Darius I.

See also: 10 Cities and Places to visit in Iran

7. Crac des Chevaliers, Syria

Photograph taken by Louai Aboulkher

Crac des Chevaliers is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world. It was built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271 on a high stone mountain about 2,132 feet above sea level. It is a significant example illustrating the exchange of influences and documenting the evolution of fortified architecture in the Near East during the time of the Crusades.

8. Baalbek & Its Ruined Temples, Lebanon

Photograph taken by Arian Zwegers

Baalbek is a small town in Lebanon. The old Phoenician city has monumental ruined temples dating from the Hellenistic period, when it was called Heliopolis. During the Roman times the city attracted thousands of pilgrims, Jupiter was worshipped here among many other gods. It is a holy and peaceful place and it has the biggest stone construction in the entire world. Many tourists visit this place because of the spirituality attached to it.

9. Cultural Sites of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Photograph found on visitabudhabi.ae

Al Ain is located at the foot of Mount Ḥafīt in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating ancient human occupation in the desert region. Occupied since the Neolithic, the area presents ruins of numerous prehistoric cultures. The grave mounds, circular tombs, wells and residential buildings with figures of animals and people are carved from stone and dating back to about 2700 BC.

10. Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

Photograph found on www.cntraveler.com

Socotra Archipelago is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its exceptionally rich and distinct flora and fauna. 37% of Socotra’s plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. Socotra is of particular importance to the Horn of Africa’s biodiversity hotspot and, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”. – UNESCO