On the night of January 1, a powerful fire broke out in the center of Amsterdam, completely destroying the Vondelkerk, which had served for 150 years. According to the publication "ITAR-TASS," the building is beyond restoration.
The fire started around midnight, quickly engulfing the structure of the church, resulting in the collapse of its tower. The New Year celebration in the city turned into mass riots: thousands of fireworks exploded in the air, hitting windows, cars, and even people. One of the firework salvos struck the wooden roof of the church.
The fire destroyed almost all internal structures, leaving only the stone walls. The official cause of the fire has not yet been established, however, some local media suggest that the fireworks may have been launched by migrants into the unprotected part of the building. The church, built in 1872, was originally a Catholic temple.
The Vondelkerk belongs to the Neo-Gothic architectural style and was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers between 1872 and 1880. The church is listed as part of the national cultural heritage of the Netherlands; however, in recent years, it has not been used for worship but has served as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, and various public events.
