FRH is delighted that the Great Synagogue in Orla, Poland, nominated by our network to the 7 Most Endangered programme, has been included in the final list of most endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2025. This recognition, made by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute, highlights the urgent need to preserve this historically significant Jewish landmark and ensure its future restoration.
Located in Orla, a village on Poland’s eastern border, the Great Synagogue was built in the late 17th century and was once the heart of Jewish life in the region. The building’s Baroque and Renaissance influences, as well as remnants of its colourful polychrome wall paintings, stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish community that thrived there before the Holocaust. Today, the synagogue faces severe structural deterioration, making its inclusion in the 7 Most Endangered list a crucial step toward securing international awareness and support.
Europa Nostra’s Advisory Panel emphasised the synagogue’s cultural and historical significance, as well as the potential for its restoration to serve as a unifying project for Polish, Belarusian, and Ukrainian communities committed to preserving Jewish heritage. As part of this program, the site will receive expert assessments and guidance on potential restoration efforts, as well as eligibility for an EIB Heritage Grant to assist with preservation initiatives.
A Key Partnership in Jewish Heritage Preservation
The Foundation for Jewish Heritage (UK), founded by Michael Mail, played a crucial role in bringing the Great Synagogue in Orla to our attention. Through their efforts, we have been connected with Piotr Puchta, the General Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ), which owns the synagogue and is leading the restoration efforts. The Foundation for Jewish Heritage has also successfully secured funding for a feasibility study, which will be instrumental in shaping the next steps for preserving this significant site.
Piotr Puchta, General Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ), stated that from his perspective a solution that will be developed for the Great Synagogue in Orla withing the framework of long-term cooperation between FODZ and Europa Nostra will create a model for the preservation of other historical Jewish sites in Poland.
Michael Mail, Chief Executive of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, 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 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 and we are delighted to be working with owners FODZ on this.’
The final selection of the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites underscores the importance of collective action in safeguarding Europe’s cultural and religious landmarks. As we move forward, we look to engage with local and international partners in ensuring the Great Synagogue in Orla is preserved as a vital piece of Jewish heritage for future generations.
The 7 Most Endangered Programme
The announcement took place on 18 March during an online event co-hosted by Guy Clausse, Vice-President of Europa Nostra, and Shiva Dustdar, Head and Director of the EIB Institute, with participation from Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport. Nominators and site representatives joined the event, which drew attendees from across Europe and beyond.
The seven selected sites were chosen based on their historical and cultural significance, the severity of the threats they face, and the level of community involvement or commitment from public and private stakeholders. Additionally, their potential to drive sustainable socioeconomic development was a key factor in the selection process.
These are the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2025:
● Arakelots Monastery and Settlement, ARMENIA
● Nyborg Castle, DENMARK
● Castle of Monemvasia, GREECE
● Great Synagogue in Orla, POLAND
● Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade, SERBIA
● Valhalla Swimming Hall, Gothenburg, SWEDEN
● Victoria Tower Gardens, London, UNITED KINGDOM
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