CHANCE FOR REVIVAL – SYNAGOGUE IN SUBOTICA

Abstract

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.