The Dream

The Ark of Noah is, for many, an ancient Biblical story, but for Johan Huibers, it became reality in the form of a powerful dream.

In his vision, he saw water mercilessly engulfing the Dutch landscape, sweeping away everything in its path. When his nephew had a similar dream that same night, Johan knew he couldn’t ignore it—it felt like a clear calling.

This experience ignited a deep-seated desire to build a modern-day Ark, a floating symbol of faith that not only reminds people of their fragility but also offers hope for the future.

“Daddy is going to build Noah’s Ark!”

After a long day at work, Johan sat on the couch at home, flipping through a book about Noah, surrounded by his children. With excitement, he shared his dream and showed them the awe-inspiring illustrations of the Ark. When his daughter spontaneously exclaimed, “Daddy is going to build Noah’s Ark!” Johan realized this was more than just a passing thought; it was the beginning of a mission. A mission that would change his life and lead him to build not one, but two Arks.

The construction

For thirteen years, Johan delved deeply into the Biblical story, explored the technical possibilities, and steadily turned his dream into reality. He envisioned building an Ark that could sail across the Netherlands, spreading a message of salvation and God’s love. The old band saw he purchased to cut logs into beams and planks became his trusted companion.

The first truckloads of wood arrived at his warehouse in Schagen, with the word “Ark” proudly displayed on their backs. Johan worked tirelessly for sixteen months, braving all kinds of weather, until the 70-meter-long ship was officially launched in Schagen on April 29, 2007.

The Ark across the Netherlands

What followed was a journey across the Netherlands. The Ark docked in cities such as Rotterdam, Arnhem, Texel, and Sneek, with over 20 moorings spread across the country. Every day, hundreds of visitors—from curious school groups to families and tourists from all over the world—came to admire the ship.

The 70-meter-long Ark, 9.5 meters wide and 13 meters high, was specially designed to fit through Dutch locks and beneath bridges, ensuring it could reach every corner of the country.

The full-scale Ark

The original design of the Biblical Ark continued to fascinate Johan. He knew it had to be bigger, and that thought stayed with him. In 2008, he took on the challenge of building a full-scale Ark. He purchased 25 LASH barges (floating containers) and began welding them together in Sliedrecht, laying the foundation for an even more impressive ship. The first wooden planks were attached to this floating platform, and the Ark made its first voyage to Dordrecht.

To fully dedicate himself to building this larger Ark, Johan sold his previous ship to Aad Peters in 2010. Aad would later use the Ark as a “Story Ark,” traveling across Europe with it.

Inside the Ark

The new Ark, measuring 122 meters in length, 29 meters in width, and 27 meters in height, brought the Biblical story to life in all its glory. Visitors could truly imagine what it must have been like: the animals, both large and small, paired up in their enclosures, the food storage, water, and life aboard—the entire scene was meticulously recreated in detail.

In the special “science section,” visitors gained insights into the Biblical narrative, supported by evidence and scientific perspectives. Two cinemas provided additional depth, offering films that explored the story further. On the upper deck, visitors could relax in the restaurant, enjoying a panoramic view while having a bite to eat. The deck itself, where the wind would tousle their hair, completed the immersive experience.

The Ark also housed a large conference hall for meetings, weddings, and events. For children, the adventure was made even more exciting with a treasure hunt and elephant footprints that guided them through the ship, adding an element of fun and discovery to the journey.

The Ark closed

In 2016, the adventure came to a temporary halt; Noah’s Ark had to make way for the construction of a new residential area in Dordrecht. It found a new mooring in Krimpen aan den IJssel, where it has remained closed to the public since. However, Johan’s dream lives on. Together with various partners, he continues to search for a new, ideal location to reopen the Ark, whether that will be in the Netherlands or abroad.