ΕΙΣΗΓΗΤΙΚΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΙΣ / INTRODUCTORY REPORT

World Heritage 26 BUR

Distribution Limited WHC-02/CONF.201/15

Paris, 27 May 2002

Original : English / French

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE

BUREAU OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

Twenty-sixth session

Paris, UNESCO Headquarters, Room IV 8 – 13 April 2002

REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR

XIII. INFORMATION ON THE TENTATIVE LISTS AND EXAMINATION OF NOMINATIONS OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL PROPERTIES TO THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER AND THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST. pp. 27 – 36

Β.MIXED PROPERTIES

Property: Saint Catherine Area

Id.N°: 954

State Party: Egypt

Criteria: C (iii) (iv) (vi)

The Bereau recommended to the Committee that this property be inscribed on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi)

Criterion (iii). St Catherine's Monastery is one of the very early outstanding examples in Eastern tradition of a Christian monastic settlement located in a remote area. It demonstrates an intimate relationship between natural grandeur and spiritual commitment.

Criterion (iv). Ascetic monasticism in remote areas prevailed in the early Christian church and resulted in the establishment of monastic communities in remote places. St Catherine's Monastery is one of the earliest of these and the oldest to have survived intact, being used for its initial function without interruption since the 6th century.

Criterion (vi). The St Catherine's area, centred on the holy mountain of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, Mount Horeb), like the Old City of Jerusalem, is sacred to three world religions Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The Bureau discussed the possible use of criterion (i) for this property, but concluded that it should not be used. The Bureau also recommended that the Committee request the State Party to consider the recommendations contained tin the ICOMOS evaluation, particularly the need to prepare a visitor management plan for the monastery and the implementation of the 1998 sustainable development plan for the town of St. Catherine. The State Party should report on progress in these areas to the Committee in the year 2004.

The State Party welcomed the Bureau’s recommendation, nothing that his visit, the Pope had emphasized the importance of this site towards furthering understanding between the different faiths. This spiritual importance of this property as a meeting point for followers of the three Great Monotheistic religions, Christians, Muslims and Jews was stressed. If the Committee decides to inscribe the property it should take the opportunity to publicize the message of peace of the World Heritage Convention.

Report of the Rapporteur WHC-02/CONF.201/15, pp.28-29.