Damages and Destruction to Historical and Cultural Heritage in 2025

In this post, we compile a comprehensive list of significant instances of fires that have transpired within historical or cultural edifices, of which news has been disseminated through the internet. Although the list does not intend to be exhaustive, it serves as a testament to the persistent threats posed to the cultural heritage and the multifaceted factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

June, 15 – Fire in Historic Town of Villingen – (Germany)

In the picturesque town of Villingen-Schwenningen, situated in Baden-Württemberg, a devastating fire engulfed the historic district, causing severe damages. Six buildings were engulfed in flames, with two structures sustaining such extensive damage that they partially collapsed. Firefighters valiantly battled the inferno for several hours, and as the situation unfolds, the extent of the damage is becoming increasingly evident.

June, 10 – Fire near Temple in Seoul (South Korea)

A fire broke out in a building on the Jogye Temple grounds in Seoul, but was extinguished before reaching the temple or the Central Buddhist Museum. Nearly 300 people were evacuated, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

June, 10 – Odessa (Ukraine)

During Russia’s war against Ukraine, on June 10, 2025, in Odessa, the Holy Wisdom Cathedral, also known as St. Sophia, was damaged by some of the drones that were launched against the Ukrainian city.
According to the Catholic Review website, “Ukrainian Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi said a blast damaged the cornice on the main apse of the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which serves as the mother church of all Christians who trace their roots to ancient Rus, Catholics and Orthodox.“

June, 7 – Mount Athos (Greece)

The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck the Mount Athos peninsula in Greece on June 7 caused structural damage to the ninth-century monasteries built in the area (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Although the damage was not severe, the quake will require repairs.

June, 7 – Laerdal Historic Town Damaged (Norway)

A major fire has severely impacted Lærdal, a historic mountain village in Western Norway, renowned for its exceptionally preserved wooden architecture. Known for its 18th- and 19th-century Hanseatic-style buildings, Lærdal has long been recognized as a cultural treasure. The town’s urban layout—characterized by densely arranged wooden structures—reflects its historical role as a key inland port on the Sognefjord.

June, 1 – Breda Historic Building Damaged (Netherlands)

In the early hours of June 1, 2025, a devastating fire destroyed the Landhuis Burgst, a historic 18th-century villa in Breda, the Netherlands. The fire broke out at around 2:30 a.m. on the ground floor of the building, while 18 people, including the owner, his family and migrant workers, were inside. Fortunately, everyone was able to evacuate safely, but the structure was completely destroyed.

April – Glen Rosa Island Fire (UK)

In early April 2025, the spectacular valley of Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, was the scene of a devastating bushfire that destroyed a decade of conservation efforts, raising significant concerns about protecting natural heritage in areas prone to similar risks.

March, 6 – Arnhem Historic Centre Damaged (Netherlands)

On Thursday, March 6, 2025, a town-scale evacuation was initiated at around 7:00 am in the city center of Arnhem (Netherlands) due to a fire that broke out at around 3:45 am in a shop on Jansstraat, which quickly spread to other historic shops and buildings.

March – Uiseong 7th century temple (South Korea)

In March 2025, southeastern South Korea experienced a series of wildfires of unprecedented scale and destructiveness. Originating with over a dozen ignitions on March 22nd and 23rd, these fires rapidly expanded, ultimately becoming the largest and deadliest on record for the country.  One of the most significant losses was the ancient Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, dating back to 618 AD, which was razed, along with Unramsa Temple (the national treasures housed in the temple had been relocated earlier).  Other vital cultural assets, including the UNESCO World Heritage site Andong Hahoe Folk Village and the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy, were also at risk. The destruction of sites like Unramsa Temple highlights severe damage to Korean culture and underscores the need to understand the mechanisms of ignition and spread for future mitigation.

March, 28 – Temples destroyed by Earthquake in Bagan (Myanmar)

On March 28, 2025, a powerful earthquake (7.7 M) struck the city again, but even after several days, it is unclear how extensive the damage to historical heritage in Myanmar was. The event, which killed dozens of people, had its epicenter in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. According this AP post, dated April 10, 2025: “The earthquake destroyed 48,834 houses, 3,094 Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, 2,045 schools, 2,171 departmental offices and buildings, 148 bridges and 5,275 pagodas, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported, citing Vice Senior Gen. Soe Win, the vice chairman of the ruling military council.” In the former capital Inwa (previously Ava), according Wikipedia ” 75% of the historical structures in the former royal capital were damaged, including pagodas and temples“.

January – Severe damages to Historic Buildings in Los Angeles (USA)

On January 7, 2025, devastating fires started in Los Angeles county, with the Eaton Fire killing five people and causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Officials estimated that nearly 180,000 residents were evacuated due to the fires in Los Angeles County. Firefighters faced a shortage of personnel and resources, with approximately 2,500 firefighters battling the Eaton and Palisades fires. The situation was exacerbated by a lack of water at some higher elevation fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades. In this context, historical and heritage sites have suffered severe damages.