Iran Dominates Top 10 of Wiki Loves Monuments 2025 Photo Contest

The Wikimedia Foundation revealed the results of the 16th annual Wiki Loves Monuments photo contest, where three of the top five submissions hailed from Iran. Since its inception in 2010, this competition has encouraged photographers globally to capture cultural heritage under Creative Commons licenses. In 2025, a total of 3,789 participants contributed 227,918 images to national contests held in September and October. After several months of evaluation, a nine-member expert jury determined the 25 winners. Hossein Pourakbarian claimed first place for his photo of a wall and gate near the Dayr-e Gachin Caravanserai, known as the 'mother of Iranian caravanserais.' The second prize showcased the Mehmāndust Tower, a Seljuk Empire tomb from 1097 in northern Iran. Third place went to Kusum Sarovar in India, while fourth featured the Ishak Pasha Palace in eastern Turkey, built over a century starting in 1685. Fifth place highlighted a bazaar in Arak, Iran, one of the city’s earliest structures. Other notable winners included Luxor, Egypt (sixth), Sacra di San Michele in Italy (seventh), Sant Climent de Taüll in Spain (eighth), the Church of the Intercession in Ukraine (ninth), and a Confucius temple in Tonghai County, China (tenth). The foundation acknowledged that Wiki Loves Monuments photographers have contributed millions of images to Wikimedia Commons over the years.