The Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ) and the Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH) are delighted to announce that the historic Orla synagogue in Poland has been shortlisted for this year’s edition of the 7 Most Endangered (7ME) Heritage Sites in Europe Programme. This important award is run by Europa Nostra with the support of the European Investment Bank.
Jews have lived in Orla since the 16th century, and was a majority of the village’s population on the eve of World War II. Orla synagogue was founded in the first half of the 17th century. Its interior reflected baroque and Renaissance influences, and the most distinctive feature was the great Ark. The walls were painted with colourful frescoes mainly of animal and plant motifs.
The building was frequently remodelled and a striking classical façade was added. In March 1942, the community was forcibly moved into a ghetto and, later that same year, transported to Treblinka extermination camp. The synagogue served as a storehouse for property stolen by the German soldiers from the Jewish population and the Ark was destroyed.
After World War II, the synagogue building stood empty and neglected, occasionally used as a storage facility while its condition deteriorated.
Since 2010, the synagogue has been owned by FODZ. FJH became involved with Orla in 2022 when it worked in collaboration with FODZ and the University of the Arts Poznan to create an innovative Arts Festival based at the synagogue. FJH also assisted FODZ in applying for the 7ME programme.
Since its launch in 2013, the 7ME programme has become a leading civil society initiative dedicated to safeguarding Europe’s endangered heritage, acting as advocate and catalyst for rallying necessary public and private support. If Orla synagogue reaches the final seven selected, it will receive funding and expert advice to guide its preservation and development.
Piotr Puchta, CEO of FODZ commented, ‘it is very significant for the future of our work with Orla synagogue that it has achieved this recognition by Europa Nostra as a leading European heritage site and one in danger. The synagogue absolutely deserves this attention.’
Michael Mail, Chief Executive of FJH, remarked, ‘Orla synagogue is a striking and important building that celebrates and commemorates a community destroyed in the Holocaust. We need to ensure such vulnerable sites are protected and repurposed to ensure their futures as part of European memory.’
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