Famous landmarks under scaffolding in 2026

26 of the 306 landmarks we track have scaffolding, works, closures or conflicting reports. Each entry links to its source. Last checked 2 Nov 2026.

Closed (6)

• Apollo Theater · New YorkClosed for a year-long, $65 million renovation including the facade and marquee.until summer 2027
• Centre Pompidou · ParisClosed for a five-year renovation (asbestos removal, fire safety, accessibility). No exact reopening day has been announced.until 2030
• Moraine Lake · CanadaSeasonal closure: Moraine Lake Road closes after Canadian Thanksgiving because of snow and avalanche risk and usually reopens around 1 June. The lake is frozen until June…until 2027-06-01
• Pergamon Museum · BerlinFully closed since October 2023. The wing with the Pergamon Altar reopens on 4 June 2027; the Ishtar Gate wing follows in the 2030s. The nearby Pergamon panorama exhibiti…until 2027-06-04
• Shuri Castle · Western Japan and OkinawaThe rebuilt main hall, lost to fire in 2019, is scheduled to open to the public on 23 November 2026. Until then the grounds are open but the main hall is a construction s…until 2026-11-23
• Smithsonian Castle · Washington, D.C.Closed for a multi-year renovation; the first floor reopened only for summer 2026, until 7 September.Closed

Covered by scaffolding (3)

• Enryaku-ji · Kyoto and NaraThe main hall (Konponchudo) is covered by a scaffolding shed, and its interior is closed for most of 2026 and 2027.until 2031
• Giotto's Campanile · FlorenceFull-height scaffolding was completed on 1 October 2026 for the first complete restoration in the tower's history. The climb and rooftop terrace stay open. Scaffolding wi…until 2030
• Kofuku-ji Five-storied Pagoda · Kyoto and NaraThe pagoda is fully covered during its renovation until March 2034. The rest of the temple is open.until 2034-03

Partly under works (14)

• Angkor Wat · Siem ReapThe whole site is open. The north-east corner of the central Bakan tower is under restoration by APSARA and the Korea Heritage Service, with some areas roped off.until end of 2026
• Cologne Cathedral · CologneThe cathedral works yard keeps scaffolding on some part of the building at all times; locals joke the world ends when it comes off. The main west facade is usually clear.until never fully
• Église de la Madeleine · ParisThe north facade (rue Tronchet side) is under scaffolding for about 16 months, partly funded by a 700 m² advertising tarp. The church stays open.until autumn 2027
• Flatiron Building · New YorkScaffolding that wrapped the building for seven years started coming down on 8 April 2026, top first; the building is lit at night again. Lower-level removal and the resi…until 2026 to 2027
• Golden Gate Bridge · San FranciscoSeismic retrofit under way: about 230,000 sq ft of temporary work platforms and scaffolding on the side spans; the next phase also repaints the south tower.Partial
• Hagia Sophia · IstanbulOpen. The main dome is closed off inside and scaffolding covers part of the exterior; the gallery mosaics remain visible.Partial
• Heian Shrine · Kyoto and NaraRenovation in stages until March 2031. Some buildings are covered, but the shrine and garden remain open.until 2031-03
• Kumamoto Castle · Western Japan and OkinawaThe main keep reopened in 2021 after earthquake damage; repairs to walls and other buildings continue and parts of the grounds are off-limits.until around 2042
• Notre-Dame de Paris · ParisThe west front and towers seen from the parvis are clear. The east end (chevet) is under scaffolding for the restoration of its 22 flying buttresses, and the 19th-century…until 2033
• Royal Alcázar of Seville · SevilleOpen. The Cenador de Carlos V garden pavilion is closed while its roof is restored; restoration was widened on 13 October 2026. It is the only closed space in the complex…Partial
• Sagrada Família · BarcelonaThe central Tower of Jesus Christ was completed in February 2026 and blessed on 10 June 2026. Cranes and scaffolding remain around the tower and the unfinished Glory Faca…until 2034 or later
• Spotify Camp Nou · BarcelonaMatches are played in the partly rebuilt stadium; the third tier is done but the roof has not been installed. Expect cranes.until 2027 to 2029
• Sydney Harbour Bridge · Sydney and AustraliaOngoing repainting works with scaffolding and work platforms on sections of the bridge; some heritage lights are covered. Work near Circular Quay started in mid-October 2…Partial
• White House · Washington, D.C.The East Wing was demolished in October 2025 to build a ballroom; the construction site is visible from the east side. Legal challenges were still pending in 2026.until 2028

Conflicting reports (3)

• Basilica Cistern · IstanbulClosed briefly in June 2026 during a disputed handover from the city to the national foundations directorate. Some sources say it reopened on 6 June; others still list it…Unconfirmed
• Basilica di San Clemente · RomeScaffolding went up in January 2026 with short winter closures. We found no report confirming it has come down.Unconfirmed
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool · Washington, D.C.Drained on 10 April 2026 for cleaning, joint repairs and a new lining. We found no confirmation that it has been refilled.Unconfirmed

Recently reopened or uncovered

• Parthenon · Athens and SantoriniThe scaffolding on the west facade came down in early June 2026, after about 20 years; the restored west pediment was unveiled on 15 June 2026.Since 2026-06-15
• Belém Tower · LisbonReopened on 27 May 2026 after a restoration that started in April 2025. Entry is now timed: up to 60 visitors every 30 minutes.Since 2026-05-27
• Citadella · BudapestReopened in 2026 after a full renovation of the fortress walls and Liberty Statue.Since 2026-04
• Sistine Chapel · RomeThe scaffolding in front of Michelangelo's Last Judgment (January to March 2026) has come down. Visits continued throughout.Since 2026-03
• Taj Mahal · Agra, Delhi, Jaipur and AmritsarDome scaffolding was due down before Christmas 2025 and visitors reported a clear front view from January 2026. Minor conservation at the rear may continue.Since 2026-01
• Column of Marcus Aurelius · RomeThe laser cleaning in Piazza Colonna was due to finish in early 2026.Since 2026
• St. Stephen's Cathedral · ViennaThe south tower lost its scaffolding in October 2025 after almost 30 years. Smaller works will keep returning.Since 2025-10
• Neuschwanstein Castle · Munich and BavariaThe long interior restoration was declared complete on 7 July 2025, so the full room tour is back.Since 2025-07-07

Coming up

• The Plaza Hotel · New YorkClosing in January 2027 for at least four years to restore the facade.

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