Synagogue of Siena, ITALY
Located only a few steps from the central Piazza del Campo, in the area of the former Jewish neighbourhood/ghetto in Siena, the synagogue is one of the few examples in Europe of a pre-19th century synagogue that has not been destroyed and is still in use by the local community. The heritage value of the synagogue partly lies in its architectural significance. Built in 1786 by the Florentine architect Giuseppe del Rosso, it is one of the rare examples of architecture showcasing a blend of Rococo and Neoclassical elements in the region. The beauty of the interior of the building also attracts thousands of tourists from all over Europe and the world each year.
Beyond its architectural prowess, the synagogue has served as the focal point of the Jewish community in Siena since its construction, playing a crucial role not only in supporting the local Jewish population but also fostering connections with the wider Jewish community. Furthermore, the synagogue bears witness to the trauma endured by Siena’s Jewish Community during the Holocaust as well as throughout the centuries: two memorial plaques commemorate the deportation to Nazi death camps in 1943 and the anti-Jewish pogrom of 1799.
The earthquake in February 2023 caused structural damage to the vault of the Synagogue of Siena, including the walls and the roof, which remain structurally unstable. 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 community 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, 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. Inclusion in the 7 Most Endangered Programme would grant visibility in order to find funding and resources needed to carry out its restoration.
The nomination of the Synagogue of Siena to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2024 was made by an individual member of Europa Nostra from France with the Jewish Community of Florence, owner of the Synagogue of Siena, and the World Monuments Fund Spain. The efforts of the Jewish Community of Florence have been partially supported by a grant from the Leon Levy Foundation, and also received the support from the David Berg Foundation through the World Monuments Fund, the Misericordia Israelitica di Siena, and the Fondazione Beni Culturali Ebraici Italiani.
