Unveiling the World’s Most ‘At Risk’ Monuments: Discover These Iconic U.S. Landmarks on the Watchlist

Many iconic travel spots around the globe are facing new threats. These include natural disasters, conflicts, and overtourism. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) shares a watchlist every two years to highlight these vulnerable locations. This year, they’ve added 25 new sites at risk, from historic lighthouses in Maine to our very own moon.

The WMF aims to rally support for these sites, sharing the challenges they face and highlighting communities that use their heritage to address modern issues. More information about their initiatives is available on their website.

Some notable additions to the watchlist include the Chapel of the Sorbonne in Paris and the haunting Ruins of Old Belchite near Barcelona. Surprisingly, the moon is also on the list due to concerns about space exploration that may lead to looting and exploitation.

Here’s the complete list for 2025:

• Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape, Zambia
• Belfast Assembly Rooms, Northern Ireland, UK
• Bhuj Historic Water Systems, India
• Buddhist Grottoes of Maijishan and Yungang, China
• Chapel of the Sorbonne, France
• Chief Ogiamien’s House, Nigeria
• Cinema Studio Namibe, Angola
• Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, Mongolia
• Gaza Historic Urban Fabric, Palestine
• Historic City of Antakya, Türkiye
• Historic Lighthouses of Maine, US
• Jewish Heritage of Debdou, Morocco
• Kyiv Teacher’s House, Ukraine
• Monasteries of the Drino Valley, Albania
• Musi River Historic Buildings, India
• Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites, Japan
• Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, several South American countries
• Ruins of Old Belchite, Spain
• Serifos Historic Mining Landscape, Greece
• Swahili Coast Heritage Sites, East Africa
• Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal
• The Great Trading Path, US
• The Moon
• Waru Waru Agricultural Fields, Peru
• Water Reservoirs of the Tunis Medina, Tunisia

The WMF has invested over $120 million to help protect these sites. They also encourage responsible travel to ensure these treasures remain safe for future generations. For more information on how you can help, check out their site at wmf.org.

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