The first of five $1m grants as part of a partnership between American Express and the World Monuments Fund has been given to six sites across the world in desperate need of restoration and protection. Each of the six sites was added to the 2012 Watch List, marking them as top priority in the world in terms of historical sites.

Benefiting from the 2012 World Monuments Fund will be: Ruta de la Amistad in Mexico City, Mexico, Salvador de Bahina, Brazil; Balaji Ghat in Varanasi, India; the Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings in Christchurch, New Zealand; the ruins of the former Cathedral of Saint Michael in Coventry, UK; and the town of Sawara in Japan.

President of the World Monuments Fund, Bonnie Burnham, commented: “WMF is grateful to American Express for its longstanding commitment to the World Monuments Watch. Over the years, the company’s steadfast support has helped to preserve 138 sites in 62 countries, benefiting both the local populations and the many people from across the globe who visit them for their beauty and to learn about history and culture.”