Despite recently intensified restoration efforts spearheaded by the World Monuments Fund, Europa Nostra has placed the 1902 Art Nouveau synagogue in Subotica, Serbia shortlisted for its 2014 “Seven Most Endangered” program. Designed by the Budapest-based architects Marcel Komor and Dezso Jakab, who designed other important buildings in and around Subotica, it is regarded as one of the finest examples of Hungarian art nouveau architecture. The synagogue’s central dome is supported by eight steel columns, and the inner dome is constructed of light concrete and built in a shell-construction technique. The building’s roof is covered with elaborate Zsolnay-glazed roof tiles, and other tiles are used in the facade. The interior is decorated with elaborate paintings drawing on Hungarian folk motifs.
The building was used by the Subotica National Theatre for a number of years but is now empty, with visitor access only one day a week, and its condition has inevitably deteriorated. Over the years a number of grants have enabled various repair works to be undertaken to the building; regrettably not all have been undertaken effectively. As a result the building remains at serious risk and urgently needs a more strategic approach to the re-use of the building as well as a co-ordinated and appropriate programme of repairs both internally and externally.
Europa Nostra lobbies for monuments and heritage preservation, targets endangered sites and grants annual awards for restoration projects. It is a network of 250 member organizations across Europe, including heritage associations and foundations, plus 150 associated organizations (governmental bodies, local authorities and corporations) and also 1500 individual members.
The announcement of this year’s shortlist coincided with the opening March 6 of the conference “Heritage First: towards a common approach for a sustainable Europe,” hosted in Athens by the Greek Presidency of the European Union. The final list of seven sites will be made public on 5 May during Europa Nostra’s European Heritage Congress in Vienna.
“These monuments and sites were selected taking into account not only their remarkable heritage and cultural values but also the serious danger that they are facing. The engagement of the local communities and the commitment of various public or private bodies to saving them were also considered vital. Another important criterion was the potential of these sites to stimulate socio-economic development,” stated Piet Jaspaert, Chairman of ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ advisory panel.
The Subotica synagogue has been under fitful restoration since the 1970s. Over the past decade, it has been a priority project of the World Monuments Fund and its Jewish Heritage Program. Exterior work on the synagogue and its roof has been completed (or is almost completed) and, as we reported, the stained glass windows by Miksa Roth are also under restoration.
Last month, the WMF announced a further grant to the synagogue to expand and upgrade the exhibition on display there and create a related web project.
360 Degree panoramic view of the synagogue
WMF Jewish Heritage Program brochure
1 comment on “Subotica synagogue shortlisted for Europa Nostra’s “7 Most Endangered” List”
A gorgeous building. I hope this is restored and admired for future generations.