In 1993, Johan Huibers was reading his children the story of Noah’s Ark when an idea struck him—what if he built his own replica of the legendary vessel? His wife laughed, doubting he could ever finish such an ambitious project.
But Johan wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. By 2006, he had constructed his first version of the Ark. Yet, it wasn’t enough. The ship was only half the size described in the Bible.
Determined to go bigger, Johan teamed up with amateur carpenters in 2008 to create a full-scale version of Noah’s Ark. This life-sized replica, completed in 2012, cost Johan $1.6 million and was built using American cedar and pine, with a sturdy steel frame for added support.
The Ark stands 23 meters tall, spans 29 meters wide, and stretches an incredible 125 meters in length—large enough to hold over 5,000 people at once and weighing a whopping 2,500 tons! 🛳️
Inside, the Ark is a marvel of creativity. Wooden models of animals, from gorillas and elephants to rhinos and leopards, bring the biblical story to life. Johan, however, humbly admits, “We’re not professional builders, so some parts of the ship are a little crooked.” Still, visitors couldn’t help but be amazed by the scale and attention to detail.
For years, the Ark was a hit in Dordrecht, Netherlands, but it eventually closed due to disputes with city officials. Johan had bigger dreams for the Ark anyway. Initially, he planned to sail it to Brazil for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but safety concerns forced him to abandon the idea.
Now, Johan has set his sights on Israel, which he calls the Ark’s “most fitting destination.” As he puts it, “It’s a copy of God’s ship, so it makes sense to bring it to God’s land.” Forest fires in Israel delayed his plans, but Johan remains determined.
Since the Ark has no motor, towing it to Israel would require several tugboats and a staggering $1.3 million. Johan is currently seeking donations from generous supporters to make his dream voyage a reality. 🌍
Will Johan’s Ark finally reach the Holy Land? Only time—and the kindness of modern-day Samaritans—will tell. ⛵✨
