This is a first that changes the place of the Comoros on the cultural map of the world. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed the medinas of the historic sultanates of the Comoros on its prestigious list. Six ancient cities of the archipelago, shaped by centuries of exchanges in the Indian Ocean, thus receive international recognition that has been long awaited.

This decision goes far beyond symbolism. Until now, the Comoros had no sites inscribed on the World Heritage list. The archipelago now joins the territories whose history is considered to have “outstanding universal value.” For a small island state often absent from the global tourism narrative, this inscription can become both a source of national pride, an economic lever, and an obligation for protection.

Six Medinas, One Story to Preserve

The inscribed property is a serial site composed of six historic cities. Four are located on the island of Ngazidja, also known as Grande Comore: Iconi, Itsandra, Moroni, and Mbeni. The other two, Mutsamudu and Domoni, are situated on Ndzouani, better known as Anjouan. Each has its own identity, but all tell the story of the formation of a network of city-states and sultanates connected by the sea.

According to UNESCO, their urban cores date back at least to the 11th century, before evolving into city-states around the 14th and 15th centuries. Their narrow streets, mosques, palaces, squares, and houses testify to an ancient urban organization that was not isolated. These medinas participated in a vast commercial and cultural space linking East Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, and South Asia.

Why This Decision Can Change Everything for the Comoros

The World Heritage inscription offers unparalleled visibility. The Comoros are known for their volcanic landscapes, beaches, and biodiversity, but much less for their architecture and urban history. The UNESCO label can attract researchers, funding, restoration programs, and a better-structured cultural tourism.

This recognition also comes at a time when small island states are seeking to better defend their heritage against climate change, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and economic constraints. In Busan, South Korea, where the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee is being held, UNESCO has adopted a strategy aimed at small island developing states for the period 2026-2034.

The potential is considerable, but the label is not a blank check. A rapid increase in visitor numbers, without appropriate regulations, could weaken historic neighborhoods, drive up prices, or transform inhabited spaces into mere backdrops. The challenge will be to protect the buildings while maintaining daily life, local activities, and the transmission of know-how.

The Indian Ocean Recovers an Essential Chapter of Its Narrative

The significance of the Comorian medinas lies in their ability to tell a story often reduced to a few major ports. For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been a space of intense circulation. Merchants, sailors, scholars, artisans, and families have traveled goods, languages, techniques, and beliefs long before the European colonial expansion.

The Comoros occupied a strategic position in this context. The architecture of the medinas bears traces of multiple contacts while retaining local forms. Swahili culture, Islam, African traditions, and influences from other shores of the Indian Ocean do not merely overlap; they have produced a distinct Comorian identity.

This global perspective gives the inscription its editorial strength. It is not just about saving beautiful buildings. It is about recognizing that the Comoros have participated in the construction of a connected world, with their own political centers, dynasties, trade networks, and urban cultures.

Moroni, Mutsamudu, and Domoni in the Spotlight

Moroni, today the capital of the Union of the Comoros, offers the most well-known image of this heritage with its old town, waterfront, and religious buildings. However, the inscription reminds us that heritage is not limited to the capital. Iconi, Itsandra, and Mbeni complete the narrative of ancient powers and communities oriented towards the sea on Grande Comore.

In Anjouan, Mutsamudu stands out with its dense medina and the royal palace of Ujumbé, which is the subject of a revitalization project involving UNESCO and Comorian stakeholders. Domoni also retains marks of its sultanate past. Bringing these six sites together in a single inscription avoids reducing national history to a single city and highlights the circulation of influences between the islands.

A Victory Achieved After Long Work

The application did not appear overnight. The Comoros ratified the World Heritage Convention in 2000. In January 2025, the country submitted its first application file, specifically dedicated to the medinas of the historic sultanates. Experts, public institutions, associations, and residents then worked on documentation, delimitation, and conservation commitments.

The international evaluation examined the authenticity of the ensembles, their condition, management, and their ability to represent an important stage in the region’s history. The 2026 decision thus crowns a demanding technical and diplomatic process. It also places the authorities before a lasting responsibility: the state of conservation will be monitored, and the promises made in the application must be respected.

The Real Test Begins After the Celebration

The needs are numerous: restoration of facades and monuments, urbanization control, sanitation improvement, artisan training, building inventory, and public awareness. Protection must also integrate the climate risks specific to the islands. Effective conservation cannot rely solely on foreign experts; it must give a central place to the residents.

Tourism can bring income to guides, restaurateurs, accommodations, and craft professions. However, its development must remain proportionate to the archipelago’s infrastructure. The challenge is to invent a model that finances preservation without displacing families or erasing the social use of the medinas. This is often where the real success of a UNESCO listing is determined.

On July 25, 2026, the Comoros achieve a historic and profoundly modern victory. By recognizing six medinas, the archipelago reminds us that Africa and the Indian Ocean have produced cities, networks, and cultures at the heart of global exchanges. The world now looks at Moroni, Iconi, Itsandra, Mbeni, Mutsamudu, and Domoni in a new light. The next step will be to transform this new light into concrete protection, shared pride, and a sustainable future.

Sources

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre, official file of the medinas of the historic sultanates of the Comoros, inscription 2026.
• UNESCO, submission of the Comoros’ first application file, January 2025.
• AFP via The Peninsula, announcement of the inscription of the six medinas, July 25, 2026.
• Le Monde with AFP, first Comorian inscription on the World Heritage list, July 25, 2026.
• UNESCO, strategy 2026-2034 for small island developing states, July 23, 2026.