Whether you are Christian or not, you have to admire the dedication of Johan Huiber.
The Dutch builder grew up in the province of Noord-Holland, surrounded by water on three sides, and his fascination with the ocean dates back to his childhood.
At the age of 24, Johan turned to God, and nine years later, he dreamed that a terrible flood swept over the Netherlands and wiped out the entire country.
Johan, a carpenter by trade, saw this as a sign that he should build a boat, modeled after Noah’s Ark.
The result? Incredible…
The origins of Johan’s massive ark date back to 1992. That’s when the carpenter began researching Noah’s Ark so he could one day replicate it.
He read the Bible, studied reference books, and watched films, all to create an authentic replica of Noah’s Ark.
Johan’s first version, built between 2005 and 2007 in the port of Schagen, was 70 meters long and cost 1 million euros. Johan sailed this ark for 3 1/2 years around the Netherlands.
But that wasn’t the only ark he built…
In 2013, he completed a larger project: Johan’s Ark!
Huibers and eight assistants spent four years building the ark. It has seven stories.
« The Noah’s Ark replica was built by Johan Huibers from 2008 to 2013. The ark is located in the Netherlands and has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, » says the ArkofNoah.org website.
« The ship itself is an immense life-sized exhibition with multiple floors. Visitors will experience biblical stories and exhibits, attractions, a cinema, and more.
The Noah’s Ark Foundation will bring Noah’s Ark to Brazil with the help of supporters worldwide, » the statement continues.
The ark is currently anchored in Dordrecht, Netherlands. Its construction cost more than 4 million euros and is situated on a platform made of 21 barges.
The ark can be towed along inland waterways by tugs, but it needs to be transported on a pontoon or transport ship to cross oceans.
The ship itself is an immense life-sized exhibition with multiple floors.
The new ark is 119 meters long, 30 meters wide, and 23 meters high.
The special boat has attracted more than 280,000 visitors over the past four years.
And when you look inside, it’s easy to understand why… Visitors will experience biblical stories and exhibits, attractions, a cinema, and more.
An estimated 12,000 trees were used for the construction of the ark.
But while the Bible suggests that Noah built his ark from gopher wood, Johan Huibert built his from American pine and cedar trees.
Sailing the ship across the Atlantic would cost nearly $2 million, according to the Daily Mail.
Johan’s ark contains various statues of animals, including cows, penguins, a crocodile, and a giraffe.
Awesome, isn’t it?
The ark also includes two cinemas and a restaurant.
Johan’s ark has been open to the public since 2012.
Previously, Huibers said he had plans to sail the ark to Brazil, but they were not realized.
The massive ark also hosts business meetings, weddings, and other special events.
According to Bored Panda:
« Huibers is currently seeking donations from good Samaritans to achieve his goal of bringing the ship to Israel.
Since the ship has no motor, Huibers will need to rent tugs to sail it and will need about $1.3 million to complete the journey. »
Now he wants to bring the ship to Israel, expressing his love for the Jewish state in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and adding that « this is a copy of God’s ship. It only makes sense to bring it to God’s land.
« I love the country, I love the people. They don’t obey, they do what they want, they drive like crazy, push in line while waiting, and don’t listen to anyone. Just like me. »
Wouldn’t it be amazing to stand on a real ship?
Johan deserves much respect for his masterful creation. Share if you agree!