BAM, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Bam and its Cultural Landscape in Iran -- a magnificent ancient city built from mudbrick -- was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004, just months after a devastating earthquake struck in 2003. The disaster nearly leveled the historic citadel of Arg-e Bam, one of the largest adobe structures in the world. Recognizing both its cultural significance and urgent need for protection, UNESCO also placed it on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

After years of international cooperation and dedicated restoration, in 2013, the World Heritage Committee removed it from the endangered list.