Precisely in the year that Sint-Jan exists 800 years, Martijn Vissers has reconstructed the famous cathedral in Den Bosch with the patience of a saint from 25,000 Lego blocks. After a year of construction, he was allowed to give ‘his’ cathedral a place of honor on Thursday in the real Saint John. “I’m still standing here with a lump in my throat.”
On Thursday, with bated breath, the native of Bossche pushed the building onto a table. Even before Martijn had added the tower and secured the last loose stones, visitors came to look with interest.
Admiring glances followed as Martijn gave the tree its place and clicked pillars onto the underlying blocks. “Completely made of Lego bricks, this is great,” it sounded around him.
Why the Saint John? “Because it is the most beautiful building in the world,” explains Martijn. He drove back and forth to the cathedral countless times over the past year. To view new details, take photos and participate in tours.
Meanwhile, the table in his living room became fuller and fuller with Lego blocks that he found all over Europe via the internet. He adapted the usual Lego garden gates for the stained glass windows. Because a rooster could not be found, the spire was given a golden dragon, originally from a Harry Potter set.
Martijn built and disassembled parts again because it wasn’t quite right. “What stands here now has often been broken down and put back together again. Last night I put the finishing touches on the tower because I thought it needed an adjustment.”
“I am very honored that my work is allowed to stand here.”
The builder is not only proud that ‘his’ cathedral has now been given a permanent place in the great Saint John. “I am especially relieved, because the transport was still quite exciting. And I think it is very honorable that my work can be here.”
Plebaan Vincent Blom of Sint-Jan was immediately enthusiastic when he heard of the Lego model. And not just because he played with Lego a lot as a child. “Isn’t it nice that this scale model of 2022 now gets a place of honor here in the anniversary year of St. John’s?”
When the lights also come on and the mini-cathedral shines brightly, even more photo cameras appear here and there. “400 hours and 25,000 Lego bricks, isn’t it incredible?” exclaimed four women. Visitors of all ages come closer to view details. Martijn heaves another deep sigh. “Operation succeeded, but for now I’m done with Lego.”