Monday, April 9, 2007

UNESCO condemns attack against World Heritage site in Kosovo


Read the full article from the Kuwait News Agency.

Director-General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura has condemned the mortar attack launched against the Monastery of Decani, which is part of the ensemble of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004 and put on the World Heritage in Danger List in 2006.

The Visoki Decani Monastery, situated in the western part of the UN administered Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohia, was built between 1327 and 1335. The monastery is settled in the valley of the Bistrica river. Although the monastery buildings suffered damage from the Turkish occupation, the church has been completely preserved with beautiful 14th century fresco paintings. Today 30 brethren live in the monastery. The brotherhood has developed various activities: wood carving, icon painting, book publishing and is also active in the missionary work.