Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute have announced the List of the 7 Most Endangered Monuments and Cultural Heritage Sites in Europe for 2025. The final heritage sites selected include the historic synagogue in Orla in the Podlaskie province of Poland whose preservation the Foundation for Jewish Heritage has been supporting.
In addition to the synagogue, the list includes: the Arakelot monastery and settlement in Armenia, the castle in Nyborg, Denmark, the castle in Monemvasia in Greece, the modernist Generalštab complex in Belgrade, the swimming hall in Gothenburg and Victoria Tower Gardens in London.
The 7 Most Endangered Cultural Heritage Sites in Europe programme has been in place since 2013. Its aim is to support the protection of particularly valuable monuments. Each site entered on the list receives 10,000 euros from the European Investment Bank for activities that will contribute to its preservation as well as expert advice and guidance.
The 7 sites were selected based on their importance for cultural heritage and cultural value, as well as the serious threat to which they are exposed. The level of involvement of local communities and/or the involvement of public and private stakeholders in saving these sites was considered to be a significant added value.
“Europe’s cultural heritage is a cornerstone of our shared identity, economic vitality and historical legacy. The list of endangered sites underlines not only their importance but also the urgent need to take action to ensure their survival,” said Shiva Dustdar, Director of the European Investment Bank Institute.
The synagogue in Orla was built in the 17th century. It testifies to the history of Jews who lived in this town from the 16th century and who, until 1942, constituted the majority of its inhabitants. The interior of the building reflected Baroque and Renaissance influences and, in the main hall, there was an impressive Aron ha-Kodesh. The walls were decorated with polychromes with quotes from the Torah, animal and plant motifs. The building was rebuilt several times, and it had an impressive classicist facade.
During World War II, the Germans devastated the interior of the synagogue and converted it into a warehouse. After 1945, the building was periodically used as a warehouse, and its condition deteriorated.
Since 2010, the synagogue has been owned by the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ), which intends to establish an art and education centre there. The Foundation for Jewish Heritage introduced FODZ to the Europa Nostra 7ME programme and assisted with the application. The submission was sponsored by the Brussels-based Future for Religious Heritage which is the leading European-wide network supporting historic places of worship across Europe.
"We recently carried out security work in the synagogue. We are looking for partners and funds to renovate the building and adapt it to a new function," said Piotr Puchta, general director of FODŻ. ‘Recognizing the synagogue as one of the seven most important monuments in Europe will not only contribute to its protection, but also to the promotion of Orla as a visitors destination’.
Michael Mail, Chief Executive of FJH, remarked, ‘Orla synagogue is one of the most important synagogue buildings in Poland that survived WW2. It stands as a moving memorial and testimony to a Jewish community that was lost in the Holocaust. This makes its preservation all the more significant. This recognition by the 7ME programme will help to ensure a new future for the site.’
"I am convinced that in the future our synagogue will be known not only in Podlasie, but also throughout Europe and the world," commented Marek Chmielewski, the Mayor of Orla.
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