Experts from the Europa Nostra organization and the European Investment Bank Institute came to Romania for a three-day mission focused on saving the wooden churches in Northern Oltenia and Southern Transylvania, reports local Digi24.

The churches were included in “the 7 most endangered” 2014 programme, after a nomination made by Pro Patrimonio Foundation.

“It’s not a pride to be named among the most endangered sites. It would have been better to not be any endangered sites, on one hand. On the other hand, this title brings visibility. Being visible means that at some point you can make connections and these connections can help you raise funds, get specialists, and to be included at some point in a national or international programme,” said architect Serban Sturdza, cited by Digi24.

“The 7 most endangered” programme was launched in January 2013 by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute and the Council of Europe Development Bank. It identifies endangered monuments and sites in Europe and mobilizes public and private partners on a local, national and European level to find a viable future for those sites. Find out more about the programme here.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Pro Patrimonio Foundation)