The 7 Most Endangered sites 2024 have been announced today by the EIB Institute and Europa Nostra, the European voice of civil society committed to cultural and natural heritage and the call for nominations for the 7 Most Endangered 2025 was launched.
The selected sites and monuments 2024 are:
Working-class Housing (courées) in Roubaix-Tourcoing, France
Cycladic Islands, notably Sifnos, Serifos and Folegandros, Greece
Church of San Pietro in Gessate, Milan, Italy
Synagogue of Siena, Italy
Home of the Yugoslav People’s Army in Šabac, Serbia
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Georgios, Altınözü / Hatay province, Türkiye
Iron Gate of Antioch, Antakya / Hatay province, Türkiye
Launched in 2013 by the Institute and Europa Nostra and supported by Creative Europe, the 7 Most Endangered programme mobilises public and private partners on a local, national and European level to find a viable future for endangered monuments and sites in Europe.
This year’s list comprises two heritage sites in the Hatay province in Türkiye that were heavily damaged by the devastating earthquake of 6 February 2023, which caused severe human and heritage losses in the wider region, as well as a religious building in Siena in Italy that suffered structural damage as the result of an earthquake that occurred in the same month.
The announcement was made at an online event featuring nominators and representatives of the selected sites, which attracted participants from across Europe and beyond.
The Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra, Guy Clausse, stated: “The 2024 list of 7 Most Endangered comprises three heritage sites seriously damaged by natural disasters, as well as heritage sites threatened by demolition, unsuitable development, or lack of funding. Together with our partners (European and national), we will provide technical expertise, identify possible sources of funding, and mobilise our wide network to support the efforts of the local communities to save these sites. It is our common responsibility to preserve and enhance our shared heritage. Our heritage is instrumental in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful Europe.”
The Director and Head of the European Investment Bank Institute, Shiva Dustdar, said: “When disaster hit Türkiye and Syria, as well as Italy, last year, the EIB Group, through the Institute, was there to provide emergency relief and support. Now, with the 7 Most Endangered 2024, we will provide our expertise via both active and retired staff to three sites damaged by these catastrophes. This illustrates the win-win partnership between a vibrant civil society organisation and the EIB Group. It also helps shedding light on sites which could ultimately benefit from EIB Group advisory and financing support. We are proud to have recently renewed our partnership agreement with Europa Nostra through this flagship programme.”
Experts from Europa Nostra and the EIB Institute, together with the organisations that nominated the sites and other partners, will now gather information and meet with key stakeholders to assess the sites and issue a technical and financial report with recommendations for action.
Each site is eligible for an EIB Heritage Grant of €10,000 to assist in implementing an agreed activity that will contribute to saving them.
The Board of Europa Nostra selected the finalists from among the 11 monuments and heritage sites from nine countries previously shortlisted by the Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered programme. The nominations of the sites for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2024 were put forward by member organisations, associate organisations and individual members of Europa Nostra.
The selection of the 7 sites was made on the basis of the heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites, as well as the serious danger that they are facing today. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders (including the corresponding nominator) to saving these sites were considered crucial added values. Another selection criterion was the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.
The Institute supports the EIB Group’s activities in the field of cultural heritage, facilitates the transfer of know-how and experience between different partners and countries to safeguard European cultural heritage and serves as a gateway between the world of cultural heritage and the EIB Group.
