Italy Update: The Siena Synagogue, damaged by earthquake, is listed as one of Europa Nostra’s 2024 Seven Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe

The late 18th century synagogue in Siena, Italy, damaged by an earthquake in February 2023, has been listed by Europa Nostra as one of the 2024 Seven Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe. (We posted in February when the synagogue was put on the short-list.)

Located just off Siena’s expansive central Campo, the synagogue was inaugurated in 1786 as an extension of an earlier one, following the project of Giuseppe del Rosso. Since the earthquake, the sanctuary has been closed both for prayers and to visitors, though the synagogue building, which houses a small Jewish museum, remains open.

The earthquake “caused structural damage to the vault of the Synagogue of Siena, including the walls and the roof, which remain structurally unstable,” Europa Nostra said.

Measures were promptly taken to limit access to the prayer hall. Its entrance is still roped off with a cord so that visitors and tourists can see the room without actually accessing. Religious services were moved to a small area in the women’s gallery on the second floor. All this poses a threat to tourism, on which the city of Siena greatly relies.

The Seven 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.  Each listed site is eligible for a grant of €10,000.

The selection of the seven sites was made

on the basis of the heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites, as well as the serious danger that they are facing today. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders (including the corresponding nominator) to saving these sites were considered crucial added values. Another selection criterion was the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.

Watch the Europa Nostra video about the synagogue:

 

The 2024 list includes two sites in the Hatay province of Turkey that also suffered earthquake damage in February 2023.

 “The 2024 list of Seven Most Endangered comprises three heritage sites seriously damaged by natural disasters, as well as heritage sites threatened by demolition, unsuitable development, or lack of funding,” the Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra, Guy Clausse, said.

Together with our partners (European and national), we will provide technical expertise, identify possible sources of funding, and mobilise our wide network to support the efforts of the local communities to save these sites. It is our common responsibility to preserve and enhance our shared heritage.

See the Synagogue on the Europa Nostra web site

See the full list and announcement of the Seven Most Endangered Sites

See our February post, with more details, when the synagogue was put on the short list