Despite some urgent repair work and archaeology carried out in 2017-2020, the medieval former synagogue in Híjar, Spain has been placed among the 12 threatened heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for Europa Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered program for 2022.
The final list of 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2022 will be announced in the spring of 2022.
The only medieval synagogue remaining in the region of Aragon, and one of only five in all of Spain, the synagogue was transformed into a church following the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, as were many other synagogues in the country. The church was dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot, and today, though still a church, the synagogue is known as St. Anthony’s Synagogue. Rarely used, it is in deteriorating condition.
“[F]urther urgent works are needed to stabilize the building,” Europa Nostra says on its web site.
Striking evidence of its original use was discovered in 2017, including the foundations of the bimah and traces of wall paintings of Hebrew inscriptions and a menorah.
“The building presents iconography of both Jewish and Christian religions and origin,” Europa Nostra says on its web site.
Of particular importance are the fragments of wall paintings which were recently revealed from under several layers of plaster, which contributed to the unique preservation of the paintings for over 500 years. Due to the poor quality of their surroundings, these medieval paintings are now completely unprotected and are in direct contact with the outside atmosphere. The importance of protecting these medieval paintings is now clear, especially since there are no specific measures in place for their protection.
The Advisory Panel of the Program added:
The outstanding wall paintings must undergo thorough study and be given immediate protection. The Region of Aragon and the municipality of Híjar have taken the first crucial steps to stabilise and protect the building. The local community is aware of the significance of this site and supports the possibility of re-opening it as a heritage, cultural and educational centre.
The Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH) said that the inclusion on the shortlist represented a significant step in this process. The Municipality of Hijar is working with the Foundation on plans to develop the site into a visitor destination “that will convey the culture and traditions of the lost Sephardi Jewish communities of the region, while fostering inter-cultural understanding and dialogue.”
The 7 Most Endangered Programme is an awareness-raising program run by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It also has the support of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Launched in 2013, it forms part of a civil society campaign to save Europe’s endangered heritage. It provides a grant of €10,000 per listed site.
Nominations for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2022 were submitted by member organisations, associate organisations or individual members of Europa Nostra as well as by members of the European Heritage Alliance. The Hijar synagogue was nominated by the Future for Religious Heritage network.
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.
Read the Europa Nostra announcement of the shortlist — and see all 12 members
Read the specific announcement on Hijar
Read (in Spanish) a 2018 archaeological study of the synagogue based on the 2017 discoveries
Read (in Spanish) a description of the archaeological excavation, in particular of the Bimah
The Hijar synagogue on the Foundation for Jewish Heritage site