Restoration plan for the Synagogue of Siena presented at conference on Safeguarding Jewish Heritage
On 18 April, one day after the announcement of the inclusion of the Synagogue of Siena in Italy in the list of the 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe for 2024 by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, the Jewish Community of Florence and Opera del Tempio Ebraico di Firenze held an international conference on Safeguarding Jewish Heritage. On this occasion, the restoration plan for the Synagogue of Siena was presented.
All rights reserved
The conference hosted speakers from Europa Nostra, the European Investment Bank Institute, the World Monuments Fund, Fondazione CR Firenze, Opera Laboratori, David Berg Foundation and Leon Levy Foundation.
Representing both Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, Romualdo Massa Bernucci, who has been an expert of the 7 Most Endangered Programme since 2019, delivered the keynote address. During his speech, he underscored the significance of the 7 Most Endangered Programme and reiterated the commitment to support both the listed sites and the communities surrounding them.
The initial support of the David Berg Foundation to the Synagogue of Siena generated further momentum around its restoration. These first steps led to deeper cooperation amongst other organisations committed to safeguarding cultural heritage, notably Europa Nostra and World Monuments Fund, as underscored by Pablo Longoria, Director of World Monuments Fund Spain, which nominated the Synagogue of Siena to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2024.
All rights reserved
“It is the first time, in the history of the Jewish Community of Florence and also of Opera del Tempio Ebraico, that we have managed to bring together various supporters, from foundations in the United States to the European Investment Bank, in a series of coordinated efforts of co-funding support,” said architect Renzo Funaro, President of Opera del Tempio Ebraico di Firenze.
“The visibility we have received following the inclusion of the Synagogue of Siena in the shortlist and then in the list of the 7 Most Endangered 2024 has been one of the key factors in helping us reach our project’s goals. This has helped create awareness and draw attention to the importance of protecting Jewish heritage in Siena as a significant part of a wider European Heritage,” stated Brett Lalonde, Vice-President of the Jewish Community of Florence.
The Jewish Community of Florence has proposed specific solutions for the restoration of the building, which is planned to unfold in two phases. The initial phase focuses on consolidating the vault and arches, while the subsequent phase entails replacing the roof. Within the prayer hall, the restoration work will focus on the interior decorations of the vault, addressing detachments or cracks using plaster, stucco, and pictorial film. With approvals secured from local and national supervisory bodies, the project is set to start pending the acquisition of necessary funding.
Beyond structural improvements, the primary objective of the restoration is to re-establish the Synagogue of Siena as the community’s central place of worship.
