Europa Nostra published a list of the 7 most endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe which includes the watermills of Bistrica site in Serbia, a press release said on Thursday.

Other sites in the Western Balkans include the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in the Bosnia-Herzegovina city of Mostar and the cultural landscape of the coastal town of Sveti Stefan in Montenegro.

The Europa Nostra board selected the 7 sites from a shortlist of 11 sites in eight countries nominated by its members and associates and members of the European Heritage Alliance based on heritage significance and cultural value and their potential to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development as well as a tool for promoting peace and dialogue within their localities and wider regions, the press release said.

It quoted Europa Nostra Executive Vice-President Guy Clausse as saying that the organization wants to convey a message of hope, solidarity and support to the local communities and activists who are resolutely determined to save the sites. “Let us use Europe’s cultural heritage as a vector for peace, social cohesion and sustainable development,” he said.

European Investment Bank Institute Head of Programme for Climate and Heritage Bruno Rossignol said that “cultural heritage is a key resource for shaping our European identity, without which economic growth is meaningless”.

Europa Nostra said the 7 selected sites are eligible for an EIB Heritage Grant of €10,000 per site to help preserve them.

The 7 Most Endangered sites for 2023 are the Kortrijk Railway Station, Belgium, the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tchakvinji Fortress in Zugdidi, Georgia, Sisters’ House Ensemble, former Moravian settlement in Kleinwelka, Germany, Memento Park in Budapest, Hungary, Cultural Landscape of Sveti Stefan in the Pastrovici area of Montenegro and the Watermills of Bistrica in Petrovac na Mlavi, Serbia.