Verona's Giusti Garden is the single most endangered Italian site in Europe

Announced this morning by Europa Nostra the seven most endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for the 2021 7 Most Endangered program. From the list of the twelve most endangered European sites announced last December, the circle has narrowed down to seven: the Achensee Railway (Austria), the Mirogoj Cemetery Complex (Croatia), Aegean Islands (Greece), the Giusti Garden (Verona), the Visoki Decani (Kosovo), the Post Office Palace in Skopje (North Macedonia), and the Chapel of San Juan de Socueva (Spain).

Italy thus counts one endangered site in Europe: the Giusti Garden in Verona. Open since 1570, it is one of the best examples of a Tuscan Renaissance garden that has been maintained in its original form to this day. In 2020, the privately owned Giusti Garden was hit by three violent storms that caused extensive damage. About thirty trees, one-third of the total, and part of the boxwood maze were uprooted along with some boxwoods in the parterre. Three seventeenth-century statues and the lighting and irrigation systems were also broken or severely damaged.

Guy Clausse, executive vice president of Europa Nostra, said, “The purpose of our list of Europe’s seven most at-risk sites is to sound a wake-up call about the serious threats these sites are facing. From a medieval monastery to a Renaissance garden, from industrial and modern buildings to iconic cultural landscapes: these sites are important reminders of our past, shared memory and identity. At a time when our continent is undergoing an unprecedented crisis, Europa Nostra wishes to express its solidarity and lend its support to local communities across Europe who are determined to save these heritage treasures at risk. Through our extensive pan-European network of members and partners, we will mobilize diverse expertise and resources to help save these heritage sites, which should be recognized as powerful vectors for sustainable development as well as vital tools for peace and dialogue among diverse communities. Together we can do it!”

Standing alongside Europa Nostra is, as always, theEuropean Investment Bank Institute. “Once again, the Institute stands by Europa Nostra, our longstanding partner in safeguarding Europe’s most endangered cultural heritage sites,” commented Francisco de Paula Coelho. “Europeans are proud of cultural heritage. It unites them. It is natural for the European Bank to help strengthen this bond through our support and commitment to the now annual 7 Most Endangered program.”

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, added, "Europe’s cultural heritage is our past, present and future. It is part of our identity and brings together people from across our continent around shared values and experiences. It is precious and deserves our utmost attention and protection. Through the 7 Most Endangered program, we shine a spotlight on Europe’s endangered heritage, raising awareness and paving the way for a future for selected sites."

Pictured is the Giusti Garden in Verona. Ph.Credit Europa Nostra

Verona's Giusti Garden is the single most endangered Italian site in Europe

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