Ukraine's cultural sites, including 6 UOC temples, enter UNESCO heritage list

UNESCO has taken 19 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine under enhanced protection. Photo: mcsc.gov.ua

Ukraine received the decision of the UNESCO Committee to include 19 new sites in the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection, among them 6 churches of the UOC, reports the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

The decision was made on December 4, 2025, at the 20th session of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Ukrainian side presented sites including historical monuments, churches, architectural ensembles, and museums located in different regions of the country. It is emphasized that this will allow them to receive support from international experts and access to cultural heritage preservation programs.

The new list includes, in particular, 5 churches and one monastery of the UOC:

• Dormition Cathedral of the UOC, Kharkiv;
• Molchensky Monastery of the UOC, Putyvl, Sumy region;
• Intercession Church of the UOC, Kharkiv;
• Resurrection Church of the UOC, Sumy;
• Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC, Sumy;
• Trinity Cathedral of the UOC, Sumy.

The Ministry noted that the status of enhanced protection is introduced for sites that have special significance for humanity and require prevention of damage.

As reported by the UOJ, UNESCO named the conversion of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra into a museum as a commemorative date.

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