On April 17, 2024, Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute announced the list of the 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2024. This programme is one of Europe’s leading civil society campaigns to safeguard endangered heritage.
The list[1] includes the following monuments and sites:
This year’s list comprises heritage sites heavily damaged by the devastating earthquake of February 2023, which caused severe human and heritage losses.
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 were put forward by member organisations, associate organisations and individual members of Europa Nostra, as well as members of the European Heritage Alliance.
The selection of seven 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.
Seven selected sites are eligible for an EIB Heritage Grant of €10,000 per site to assist in implementing an agreed early activity that will contribute to saving the threatened sites.
Teams of experts representing Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, together with the organisations that nominated selected 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.
Being on the list of the 7 Most Endangered serves as a catalyst for action and as an incentive for mobilisation of the necessary public or private support. Ultimately, the listing helps raise awareness. It also fosters a sense of European identity and the feeling of belonging to a wider European community.
The list, maintained since 2013, includes seventy monuments and heritage sites from over thirty countries across Europe. The 7 Most Endangered Programme is run by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It also has the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union through Europa Nostra’s network project European Cultural Heritage Agora.
[1] The sites are listed in alphabetical order of the country where they are located.