Lviv after the shelling. UNESCO assessed damage to cultural heritage sites in Lviv Culture and Education
In October, UNESCO and the International Study Centre for the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) assessed damage to eight cultural sites in Lviv, in close cooperation with the regional administration and Ukrainian experts. The sites in the buffer zone of the World Heritage site “Lviv – Historic Centre Ensemble” were hit by strikes on 3 September 2024.
Immediately after the attack, UNESCO provided support for the creation of 3D images of damaged cultural monuments and schools. A follow-up mission to Lviv a few weeks after the attack allowed for a more in-depth analysis of the damage, an assessment of further risks and the planning of emergency repairs.
Visual inspection reports were drawn up in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and recorded significant damage to the roofs, facades and windows of the buildings, according to representatives of the Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Lviv Regional Administration.
UNESCO and ICCROM identified priority measures needed to stabilise the sites and supported the launch of a restoration project.
“By sharing its expertise and supporting Ukrainian experts and authorities in damage assessment and risk mitigation, UNESCO ensures that these skills are transferred to as many specialists as possible, as their role will be crucial in the recovery of Ukraine and its heritage,” said Maissa Acheuk-Youssef, UNESCO expert who led the mission.
UNESCO and ICCROM used an international methodology for damage and risk assessment developed with financial support from Japan. It complies with the national legal framework of Ukraine, as well as relevant international UNESCO standards in the field of culture.