CHANCE FOR REVIVAL – SYNAGOGUE IN SUBOTICA

Abstract

<p>Research presented in this paper considers the problem of the Synagogue restoration in Subotica, built in 1902, which has been deprived of its basic function, left without financial means for maintenance due to the changes in the social, economic system and great changes in the population structure during the First and Second World War. Lack of financial resources, poor interest for the building and Balkan wars in nineties caused that the restoration works on the synagogue were performed partially, where often several construction seasons had to elapse before the next works were undertaken. This resulted also in decay of those parts of building that have already been restored or conserved earlier. Today it seems that there is a solution to complete the restoration and revitalization works of a synagogue, building that was four times on the World Monuments Watch list and in 2014 listed among”7 Most Endangered monuments” by Europa Nostra programme. The primary objective of this paper is to highlight the importance of a continuous process of maintenance and conservation to preserve building heritage, which has to actively involve all levels from government to the citizens and their initiatives.</p>