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Illuminating the past: Mogadishu’s lighthouse leads a heritage revival in Somalia
A mission anchored in the principles of the , this effort marks a key step in safeguarding the site and laying the groundwork for what could become Somalia’s first nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The mission brought together a dynamic consortium of international structural engineers, conservation architects, and Somali heritage professionals, coordinated in close partnership with the Somali Academy of Science, Culture and Arts (SOMASCA). The team’s mandate was clear: assess the structural integrity of the partially collapsed lighthouse, identify potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) within Mogadishu’s layered urban landscape, and chart a strategic roadmap for safeguarding and nomination.
This mission builds on the spirit and momentum of the (May 2025), which reaffirmed Africa’s resolve to diversify and strengthen its presence on the World Heritage List. With its unique synthesis of pre-colonial trade networks, Islamic heritage, colonial imprints, and post-conflict urban resilience, the Lido Secondo Lighthouse and its surrounding Old Town present a compelling case under several World Heritage criteria—particularly Criterion (ii), which recognizes sites that exemplify significant interchange of human values across time and regions.
Perched on a coral outcrop overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Lido Secondo Lighthouse once guided merchants, sailors, and pilgrims navigating Mogadishu’s vibrant maritime corridors. Following its partial collapse 2 years ago, it stands as a witness to the city’s cross-cultural interactions and evolving urban identity. The Old Town’s dense architectural fabric—including historic mosques, colonial-era buildings, and traditional marketplaces—reinforces the area’s rich narrative of intercultural exchange and continuity.
In line with the 1972 Convention, which urges States Parties to integrate heritage into public life, Somalia has drafted a national heritage law aligned with the Convention—currently pending parliamentary approval. This legal milestone offers a promising framework to institutionalize heritage conservation and empower national and local actors.
Site visits undertaken during the mission included key heritage landmarks such as the Jama’a and Fakhrudin Mosques, the Somali National Museum, and the Cathedral of Mogadishu. Leading the structural assessment of the lighthouse, experts proposed a phased stabilization strategy, beginning with emergency shoring, detailed documentation and protective measures against further deterioration. Technical discussions also explored the expansion and refinement of Somalia’s Tentative List, recommending a broader nomination scope encompassing the entire historic port city of Mogadishu.
The mission culminated in a high-level debriefing with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, SOMASCA, national experts, and UNESCO, where consensus was reached on the urgency of enhanced documentation, capacity-building, and international technical support moving forward.
“This mission is not only about safeguarding the Lighthouse,” said Dr. Masanori Nagaoka, UNESCO’s Regional Adviser for Culture, “but about affirming Somalia’s rightful place on the global map of heritage. It is a testament to the critical importance of heritage preservation in fragile contexts, and the role of international solidarity in rebuilding cultural resilience.”
As Somalia embarks on the process of preparing a World Heritage nomination dossier, the mission has laid a robust technical and strategic foundation—blending international heritage standards with locally driven action to ensure that the story of Mogadishu’s past continues to illuminate its future.
