Pierre Cuypers

Built World

As of May 2026: Deceased; legacy includes Rijksmuseum, Central Station, and over 100 churches

The Vondelkerk, a 154-year-old neo-Gothic church designed by P.J.H. Cuypers (architect of the Rijksmuseum and Central Station), burned on New Year's Day at 12:45am. The tower collapsed at 2:30am, and by mid-morning officials declared it a total loss. Within 24 hours, expert surveyors found that full restoration is technically possible, though expensive, and the Netherlands' Cultural Heritage Agency launched an assessment to determine what can be preserved.

Updated May 19