Walk over the ridge of Sint-Jan and around the Vieringtoren at a height of almost 50 meters. Now that the roof of the 800-year-old cathedral is being replaced, the scaffolding is being used for the ‘Adventurous Climb’. That is special, because climbing the roof of Sint-Jan will no longer be possible for the next 100 years.
It’s quite a climb. To get to the highest point, the Vieringstoren at 50 meters, you have to climb more than 300 steps. “You shouldn’t be afraid of heights,” says climbing guide Ad Groenen with a smile. “If you dare, it is definitely worth it. From here you can see all of Den Bosch and the surrounding area.”
Ad is one of dozens of guides who accompany visitors on their adventurous climb. He was born and raised in Den Bosch and therefore knows a lot about Sint-Jan and the view. “Most will listen to my talk about the history of the cathedral and the city, but I think they will immediately reach for their phone or camera to take pictures of this beautiful view. But I do understand that.”
“There is a lot to see on Sint-Jan.”
From the Bossche Broek and the Provinciehuis and to the Pagoda of the Efteling and the tallest building in Tilburg. All this can be seen in clear weather. “But there is also a lot of beautiful things nearby. To our old Sint-Jan itself”, says Ad proudly.
Like the figurines that sit on the flying buttresses. “Normally you don’t see it from the ground. Now you see, for example, that they all represent a craft. “You can almost touch them. You won’t experience anything like that again.”
Ad climbs further up to the ridge of the roof. Then he pauses for a moment. “You know what I like so much? That you keep discovering new things in the city. I regularly walk and cycle through the streets, but now I notice completely different things. For example, I only now see that in gold letters ‘Library ‘ on the building in the Hinthammerstraat.”
“Such a climb is no longer possible for the next 100 years.”
In 2016, visitors were already able to climb the cathedral at a height of 25 meters. Then the scaffolding was placed for the Jeronimus Bosch year. It is now for the second and for the time being last time that it is possible.
“To replace the slates on the roof, scaffolding costing more than 400,000 euros will be placed. But with a few minor tweaks, those same scaffolds are now used for the Adventurous Climb. With the proceeds they can restore the slates.”
It’s a unique opportunity. “It’s now or never, because it won’t be possible for the next 100 years. The new slates are intended to last for a hundred years, so no more scaffolding will be placed up to the roof before then.”
St. John can be climbed from Tuesday, May 23 to August 31.
