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All the Netherlands Arnhem Skatehal Arnhem
Skatehal Arnhem is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Skatehal Arnhem

A long-closed church turned into a saintly skate park.

Arnhem, Netherlands

Added By
Henrik Johansson
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Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Skatehal Arnhem.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
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About

After being closed for years, St. Joseph Church in Arnhem, Netherlands, reopened again in 2011 as something altogether unexpected: a skate park. Eight years had passed since the closing ceremony, in which the consecrated altar was moved, but statues of saints still decorate the building.

The transformation into a skate park was blessed by the parish Saint Eusebius, even though some people found it hard to get used to the idea of children skateboarding in their beloved church. Others saw the repurposed space as a way to give something back to the community and to the local residents that originally financed the building in the 1920s and '30s.

There are, however, dark clouds on the horizon for Skatehal Arnhem. The Roman Catholic Church, which still owns the building, has been trying to find a buyer for a long time without succeeding. The building itself is in need of repair due to water damages and faulty construction, something neither the owners or the municipality are too keen to spend money on. The needed repairs have left this unique church-turned-skate park closed to the public for the time being, except for some special events.

Related Tags

Skate Parks Sports Churches Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

Skatehal Arnhem is not open to the public at the moment, but there are occasional events held there. You may also be offered a private tour if you contact the owner through Skatehal Arnhem's Facebook page. Be sure to leave a contribution to the development of the skate park before leaving. A bottle of whiskey is also appreciated.

Community Contributors

Added By

hrnick

Published

December 21, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.skatehalarnhem.nl/2015/01/artikel-wallstreet-journal/
  • https://www.facebook.com/collin.versteegh/posts/1903238006364007
  • https://www.trouw.nl/home/via-de-halfpipe-langs-de-gesluierde-heiligen~a60e8732/
  • https://www.gelderlander.nl/arnhem/skatehal-arnhem-gaat-zonder-extra-geld-nooit-meer-open~a8a33fe7/
  • https://www.omroepgelderland.nl/nieuws/2318982/Skatehal-Arnhem-komt-50-000-euro-tekort-en-gaat-mogelijk-nooit-meer-open
  • https://www.facebook.com/skatehalarnhem
Skatehal Arnhem
700 Rosendaalseweg
Arnhem
Netherlands
51.998093, 5.94021
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Castle Rosendael

Rozendaal, Netherlands

miles away

Nederlands Openluchtmuseum

Arnhem, Netherlands

miles away

Eusebius Church

Arnhem, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Arnhem

Arnhem

Netherlands

Places 5

Nearby Places

Castle Rosendael

Rozendaal, Netherlands

miles away

Nederlands Openluchtmuseum

Arnhem, Netherlands

miles away

Eusebius Church

Arnhem, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Arnhem

Arnhem

Netherlands

Places 5

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