Restoration

Through the centuries, the Pieterskerk Leiden has been on the move.  It grew from a chapel into a cathedral and after the iconoclasm it transformed from a Roman Catholic church into a reformed church. Throughout the centuries there has been no year that the building did not change or  was restored.

From 2000 to 2010 the largest restoration since the disaster of the gunpowder ship in 1807 took place. Ten long years of very thorough restoration. The wood structure in the hood of the church was replaced, which was necessary because the death watch beetle very severely affected the wood. The damage to the stone was restored. The floor slabs were taken out and  provided with a new and enhanced surface and were then put back. The slates of the roof were partially replaced and repaired.

There were also adjustments made to improve the use of the monument. Insulating sashes were placed on stained glass and new floorheating was placed. With the consent of the State Service for Cultural Heritage, ducts and lifting equipment were installed. All this makes the Pieterskerk Leiden currently one of the best-equipped  medieval buildings of Europe.

 An almost 900 year old building implies a never-ending process of renewal and restoration process. As a result  the Thomas Hill organ is yet to be cleaned and a number of important art historical monuments still need restoration. The preservation of Pieterskerk is supported by the Friends of the Pieterskerk Leiden.