Photo: tinou bao
The World Monuments Fund’s 2010 watch list covers sites from the world famous to the iconic local.
Every two years, the World Monuments Fund publishes a “watch list” of sites it deems most threatened, whether from encroaching development, global warming, or simple neglect.
The 2010 list has been released, and as Yahoo News reports, two of the more familiar entries are Machu Picchu and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia cathedral.
As Trips has discussed before, the continued existence of the ruins of Machu Picchu is endangered by the thousands of tourists that visit each day. Erosion of their mountaintop perch could cause sections of the ruins to collapse within the next few years.
Photo: Wolfgang Staudt
Gaudi’s famous uncompleted cathedral faces a different kind of threat.
A proposed high-speed underground train line is planned to run just six feet from the foundation of one portion of the massive church; the vibrations from the passing trains could do considerable damage to the structure.
The monuments fund also reaches beyond big-name sites to single out places with a more local significance. The stone bridges of Connecticut’s Merritt Parkway make the list, as does New Orleans’ St. Louis Cemetery #2 — still in need of restoration following damage from Hurricane Katrina.
Breaking down the list by country, those with the most entries are the U.S. (10), Peru (8), and Spain (6).
The World Monuments Fund partners “with local communities, funders, and governments” to protect these and many other sites, directing 85% of its revenue toward “preservation projects, fieldwork, advocacy, and educational programs.” To help them out, click here.
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6 Comments... join the discussion!
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I’ve been to Machu Picchu & Sagrada. I guess I’m part of the problem
. However, if we’re going to talk about damaging la sagrada familia, can’t we talk about the newer part next to the nativity facade (bearing fruit at their peaks). I love the passion facade, but whatever is next to the nativity facade is really disappointing.
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Joel, there’s nothing wrong with visiting the Sagrada Familia–the WMF cites the proposed underground train tunnel as the problem.
Do you have a link to a photo of that new section?
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The Merritt bridge is on the list? Wow… I’m glad it got recognized, not so much that it needed to be. That’s great though, keeping it local. It is a beautiful bridge.
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Looks like I need to get to Machu Picchu quickly…and responsibly! I’ve always wanted to go…
-Kathryn
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What…La Sagrada Familia?. I just toured it last week and I didn’t see a mention of the proposed underground high-speed rail the entire time. If I am wrong and there was literature about it, then I must’ve missed it while marveling at the ceiling, stained glass windows, etc.
This is something that LGS is not overtly communicating it to their guests. If they did, there would be a bigger uproar from there 2+ million yearly visitors! I’m sure many of them would be concerned.
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