Emergency Intervention for the Safeguarding of the Borobudur World Heritage Site

• © T.Leber/UNESCO
• Weeping Buddha, Borobudur, 2010

The catastrophic volcanic eruption of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia that began on 26 October 2010 constitutes a significant threat to the internationally renowned Borobudur Temple Compounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Borobudur World Heritage Site, located just 35 kilometres from Mount Merapi, was covered in up to 3 centimetres of corrosive volcanic ash. If not addressed it may cause serious damage to the drainage system at the monument and, most importantly, to the unique carved reliefs covering its walls, façades and balustrades.

The Borobudur Temple Compounds - built around 800AD - remain a major Buddhist pilgrimage site and the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. Since 1975, UNESCO has led international campaigns to safeguard Borobudur, in support of the Government of Indonesia.

Through the continued generous support of donors from around the world, UNESCO will be able to assist the Government of Indonesia and local civil society partner "Friends of Borobudur". This will include an emergency operation to clean the corrosive dust from the temples and their surrounding environmental settings, to assess needs and carry out rehabilitation work for long-term preservation.

For online donation, please click here

You can also make an offline donation :

U.S. dollar or Euro cheques bearing the reference “Borobudur” can be sent to:

UNESCO, Treasurer – BOC/TRS –
7 place de Fontenoy
75352 PARIS 07 SP
FRANCE

More information please contact Mr. Masanori Nagaoka m.nagaoka@unesco.org

• Source:UNESCO Jakarta
• 22-12-2010

• Image 2 : © Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism - 
• Image 3 : © Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism -