New Monument Could Remove the Kremlin from UNESCO List
The Commission of UNESCO experts may consider removing the Kremlin from the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Der Tagesspiegel reported on January 19th that such a decision was prompted by the plans of Russian authorities to construct a 24-meter monument to Grand Duke Vladimirat on Borovitskaya Square near Kremlin. The Grand Duke was a historical figure who chose Orthodox Christianity as the state religion of Kievan Rus.
According to UNESCO experts, the monument, rising high above the Kremlin walls, will destroy the historically created landscape in the center of Moscow. In September 2015, UNESCO sent a letter to Russia advising them to change the chosen installation site of the monument.
Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order to demolish building number 14 within the Kremlin. This decision caused much dispute. However, the chairman of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Professor Dr. Todor Krestev, reported that an agreement was reached on this issue. According to Krestev, the green light was given for the demolition of the building as it has no architectural value.