From the New York Times: A deconsecrated Amsterdam church built roughly 150 years ago was engulfed in flames in the early hours of New Year’s Day, prompting widespread evacuations and causing extensive damage to the cultural monument. There were no initial reports of casualties.
The fire at the Vondelkerk broke out at around 12:45 a.m., according to the local authorities, sending flames shooting through its historic neo-Gothic spire.
The blaze swiftly ravaged the Vondelkerk’s roof and collapsed its tower, and strong winds blew sparks and burning debris into the surrounding area, according to the area’s safety department. The authorities reported that the fire had been brought under control by roughly 11 a.m. and, citing a structural engineer, said the church walls would remain standing.
The cause of the fire was not yet determined, but there had been a lot of fireworks in the area, due to the New Year’s celebrations.
Construction to build the historic church had first started in 1872. It was once used for Catholic services, but had fallen into disrepair in the 1970s and was then renovated to be used for cultural events and other community functions.
Many on social media are saying the fireworks were being shot off by Muslim migrants. However, that has not been officially confirmed.
Another iconic European church burned to the ground overnight, this time in Amsterdam.
The Vondelkerk, which sits just next to the Dutch capital’s famous Vondelpark, was destroyed as invader gangs ran wild with fireworks.
Had enough of them yet?
Mass deportations 2026. pic.twitter.com/KBMzLHmnYI
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) January 1, 2026
Dutch journalist Jan-Willem Bakker wrote, “I really think that the complete burning down of the monumental and defining Vondelkerk symbolizes and marks something bigger. With the Vondelkerk, a piece of civilization in Amsterdam also dies.”
Ik denk echt dat het volledig afbranden van de monumentale en gezichtsbepalende Vondelkerk iets groters symboliseert én markeert. Met de Vondelkerk sterft ook een stukje civilisatie in Amsterdam.pic.twitter.com/imfSRBpVrc
— Jan-Willem Bakker 🔶 (@JanWBakkerNL) January 1, 2026
🇳🇱 Shortly after New Year’s, a major fire broke out at Amsterdam’s historic Vondelkerk, with flames engulfing the top of the church.
Built in the late 1800s by architect Pierre Cuypers, the former Catholic church later became a cultural and events venue after closing for worship… pic.twitter.com/8H3QGFnHzl
— Europa.com (@europa) January 1, 2026
BREAKING: Historic Vondelkerk Church in Amsterdam just burned to the ground on New Year’s Eve pic.twitter.com/fkpRsJgzLJ
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 1, 2026
Vannacht is een oude ziel in vlammen opgegaan. De prachtige Vondelkerk, een neo-gotische icoon aan het Vondelpark, is zwaar getroffen door een verwoestende brand. De toren ingestort, het dak weg, een hartverscheurend gezicht.
Maar laten we niet opgeven. Als er nog echte… pic.twitter.com/0TXE2IeuPs
— 卄𝐎ù𝔰ε 𝐨𝔣 ℙｏє𝐌 _ @gEet Sch@@p (@P0eMPieDinges) January 1, 2026
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