Rising sea levels, salinity and extreme weather are accelerating damage to Bangladesh’s 15th-century Sixty Dome Mosque, raising fears of irreversible cultural loss and a potential UNESCO “World Heritage in Danger” listing.
The Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj Masjid), a 15th-century UNESCO World Heritage site and a jewel of Bangladesh’s medieval Islamic architecture, is facing severe threats from climate change. Rising sea levels, increasing salinity, extreme heat and humidity are causing visible and accelerating damage to this historic coastal monument.
Globally, the Sixty Dome Mosque is among 127 coastal heritage sites in Bangladesh facing climate-induced risks, with at least 50 already showing damage.
Experts emphasize the importance of non-economic loss and damage (NELD), including the potential permanent loss of culture, identity and historical knowledge, impacts that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
Built by the Sufi saint Ulugh Khan Jahan Ali, the mosque’s sixty domes, intricately carved mihrabs and sandstone pillars have long stood as a testament to the architectural brilliance of Bengal’s Sultanate period. However, this priceless piece of history and heritage is now facing severe deterioration.
Climate change, increased salinity, humidity and environmental pollution have caused visible damage to the mosque’s walls, mihrabs, pillars and domes. Rising salty groundwater evaporates inside the bricks, forming salt crystals that weaken their cohesion. White salt deposits on the walls, cracks, flaking plaster and fading patterns in the mihrabs are now regular sights.
Recent research by the Department of Architecture at Khulna University, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society and ICOMOS, shows that rising temperatures, industrial pollution, monsoon-season humidity and underground salinity have dramatically accelerated the rate of damage.
Saltwater intrusion from rivers and storm surges has led to crystallized salt forming within the bricks, further weakening walls, domes and structural pillars. Cracks have appeared across the mosque, while green moss and fungal growth flourish on damp surfaces. Experts note that some recent repairs using modern bricks less tolerant to salinity have unintentionally accelerated deterioration in certain areas.
During cyclones Sidr and Aila, salt-laden spray severely affected the mihrabs, said Dr. Md. Shafiqul Alam, former Director General of the Department of Archaeology. The sandstone pillars are porous and rusting iron clamps have weakened the structure’s load-bearing capacity. If the mihrab collapses, the mosque could be listed as a World Heritage in Danger site. This would be a major national setback.
A five-member expert committee formed by the Department of Archaeology recommended urgent conservation measures. Lovely Yasmin, regional director for the Department’s Khulna and Barishal divisions, said UNESCO will assist in mapping damage across walls, domes and pillars, guiding a precise restoration plan. The initiative will involve local architects, engineers, chemists and archaeologists trained under international supervision, ensuring long-term expertise for heritage preservation in Bangladesh.
In 2019, CyArk digitally documented the mosque using 3D laser scanning to track changes and support preservation planning. However, researchers stress that further funding, advanced conservation techniques and updates to heritage protection laws are crucial to prevent irreversible loss.
“The Sixty Dome Mosque is not just a monument; it is the soul of Bangladesh’s medieval heritage,” Dr. Alam said. “Saving it means protecting history, culture and identity against the accelerating climate crisis.”
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said, “Non-economic loss and damage is often invisible but deeply felt. The destruction of cultural heritage like the Sixty Dome Mosque affects community identity, collective memory and social cohesion. Protecting these sites is not just about preserving bricks and domes, it is about safeguarding our culture, values and history for future generations.”
