Restoration work on the synagogue building in Seini, in northwest Romania, has been completed. As we posted in 2023, the €2.4 million project will transform the long-disused building complex into a Museum of the Jews of Transylvania, concert hall, and cultural space.
“The transformation is profound, turning a monument once on the brink of decay into a vibrant cultural hub,” the NGO Maramures Heritage Association said on its web site. It said the restoration marked “a pivotal moment in safeguarding the town’s cultural legacy.”
This building, a true symbol of diversity and multicultural coexistence, has been brought back to life through an extensive restoration process. The project aimed not only to structural consolidation but also to highlight the architectural details that define the historical identity of the Seini community […] The restoration of the synagogue is a significant step for cultural tourism in the county and proof that heritage, when cherished, becomes a living resource for current generations.
As we posted in December, the town of Seini — located between Satu Mare and Baie Mare — obtained ownership of the dilapidated synagogue building in 2019, and already published plans for the project, including cost estimate, in April 2021. The project is mainly financed via EU funding, with also a grant from the state.
The synagogue was built in 1904. The Jewish community in Seini dated from the late 18th century, and the town became a major centre of Jewish printing in the first half of the 20th century. Its Jewish population — around 615 people — was deported to Auschwitz in 1944; some survived and reestablished the community after the war, but virtually all eventually emigrated.
The web site of the project, which posts updates, says the aim is “to transform this emblematic building into a Museum of Jews in Transylvania, which serves not only as a reference point for Jewish history and heritage in the region, but also as a multifunctional cultural space.”
The building, it says, “will be adapted to host high-quality musical events, given the lack of a suitable hall for symphonic concerts in the city. Thanks to its unique architecture and acoustics, it will become a vibrant cultural centre, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities, from theatrical performances and cultural workshops, to art exhibitions and film screenings.
See our earlier posts HERE and HERE and HERE, with our pictures of the synagogue and Jewish cemetery from our visit in 2024 HERE.
Read the statement announcing the completion of the restoration work
.