The Notre-Dame Cathedral: a phoenix rising from the ashes

The Notre-Dame Cathedral stands as a captivating testimony of history and faith on the Île de la Cité in Paris. Its dazzling French Gothic architecture, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, has withstood the vagaries of time between the 12th and 14th centuries, bearing witness to all kinds of historical events. 

The impressive stained-glass windows, intricate stone sculptures and the spire that rises over 100 meters have millions of visitors enamored. In addition, this jewel has even more popularity, as it holds relics such as the crown of thorns, associated with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, in 2019, a heartbreaking fire caused a lot of damage to the structure, generating a global feeling of sadness.

A little history about Notre-Dame

Imagine a world where the Gothic architectural style was not recognized. You would find it practically implausible, wouldn't you? Well, I must tell you that this actually happened. In the 16th century, critics mocked this medieval expression as "Gothic" in reference to the bold Germanic Goths, who centuries earlier had overthrown the Roman Empire. Giorgio Vasari, one of the "fathers" of art history as a discipline, scorned it as monstrous and barbaric. 

Although the term "Gothic" reflected more the Renaissance's disdain for its northern counterparts than for the Goths themselves, this label persists and today is unwaveringly intertwined with what many consider to be the most impressive and iconic cathedral on the planet, the glorious Notre-Dame de Paris. It was erected on ancient ruins on the Île de la Cité, with construction beginning under Maurice de Sully in 1160. However, it was not completed until 1250.

What parts make up Notre-Dame?

This architectural masterpiece boasts a grand design: it features a choir, an apse, a short transept, and a nave surrounded by double aisles and square chapels. In the 19th century, a new central spire was constructed to replace the original one that had been taken down in the 18th century. 

The cathedral is monumental, with an interior layout measuring 427 feet by 157 feet and a ceiling height of 115 feet. The west facade is dominated by two early Gothic towers, each rising to 223 feet. These towers, adorned with decorated doors and figures of Old Testament kings, add to the cathedral's imposing presence. 

On the eastern side, the apse showcases triforium windows and flying buttresses, reflecting the radiant Gothic style. The cathedral's three rose windows, with their original 13th-century stained-glass, are a sight to behold. This architectural marvel seamlessly blends history, art, and spirituality into an impressive ensemble that captivates at every turn.

Did this cathedral undergo any restoration throughout its history?

The Notre-Dame cathedral emerged triumphant after the French Revolution thanks to Napoleon, who proclaimed his empire in 1804 in this sacred enclave. In the fervor of the 19th century, the architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc undertook a series of restorations that were prompted by Victor Hugo's epic novel, "Notre-Dame de Paris" (1831). This means that, in Viollet-le-Duc's restorations, a fanciful air came into play by modifying the structures that used to represent him.

Where is Notre-Dame located?

If you are thinking of visiting Notre-Dame, you should know that it is located at the eastern end of the Île de la Cité in Paris. As is often the case, various groups that conquered a region would build their temples over the existing ones, aiming to replace the previous religion. That is why it stands on the ruins of a Roman temple to the ancient god Jupiter and a Christian Romanesque Basilica. You can find this wonderful French construction at number 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004.

Why was the cathedral damaged in 2019?

On April 15, 2019, the Gothic cathedral witnessed a depressing structural fire that consumed its roof and brought down its iconic spire. Fortunately, its interior was salvaged by a vaulted stone ceiling that managed to avoid some extensive damage, although valuable works of art and some relics suffered due to the smoke. 

The altar, centuries-old pipe organs and iconic 13th century rose windows barely showed flaws thanks to three brave emergency workers who were injured. Due to the contamination of the site with toxic dust and lead, which spread to surrounding areas of the city, Notre-Dame did not celebrate Christmas Mass in 2019 for the first time since 1803. 

French president Emmanuel Macron set a very ambitious five-year timeline for the restoration, managing to raise more than €840 million from donors by September 2021.

How did the fire break out?

On April 15, 2019, around 6 p.m., a raging fire broke out in the cathedral's attic. The solemn melody of the alarm sounded at 6:20 p.m., giving way to the urgent evacuation, although an initial mistake led a guard to explore the wrong attic, delaying the emergency response. 

Fifteen minutes later, the location rectification revealed a raging fire that defied the grandeur of the structure. Moreover, the alarm was not able to automatically alert the firefighters, who ended up arriving at 6:51 p.m. The Île de la Cité, silent witness to the tragedy, was evacuated as the initial white smoke took on a somber black hue, anticipating the emergence of flames in the spire. Unfortunately, the smoke eventually took on a deep yellow hue, painting the sky with the tragedy to come.

What is the total damage that has occurred in the Notre-Dame Cathedral?

The Gothic cathedral suffered the destruction of most of its wood and metal roof, along with its spire. In total, approximately one-third of the roof remained. The debris fell on the stone vaulting of the cathedral's interior and, although some sections collapsed, the vaults joining the arches helped preserve much of the interior and its artifacts. Among the treasures affected were the crown of thorns of Jesus, a fragment of the cross, the tunic of St. Louis, a pipe organ and the 14th century statue of the Virgin of Paris. 

Although the 19th century stained-glass windows and some pews were damaged, the 13th century pink stained glass windows and key elements such as the main cross, altar and statues survived. 

On the other hand, some paintings and statues were damaged by the smoke, so they had to be moved to the Louvre, including those of the twelve apostles. The rooster-shaped reliquary on the cusp, although it received damage, was found intact. The pipe organs and the largest bell, known as the bourdon, were not significantly damaged.

What problems does the restoration of Notre-Dame pose after the fire?

This information is important if you want to visit Notre-Dame in the future. The cathedral, touched by flames, faces the titanic task of rising from the ashes. Despite the announcement of a design competition and donations approaching one billion euros, the restoration stands as a monumental challenge. 

Macron longs to restore Notre-Dame to its original splendor with specialized craftsmen. In addition, the oak wood, which is one of the materials used in the construction, must be imported, or transformed with modern techniques. 

On the other hand, the Lutetian stone is a Parisian architectural treasure that was extracted from mines that are now abandoned, difficult to access or under the city of Paris, thus posing another huge problem. In addition, the philosophical debate about the authenticity of the reconstruction stirs the soul of Notre-Dame and its visitors. 

Should the cathedral be restored, or should we accept the chain of events? This is one of the most widespread debates within the world of conservation and restoration in Art History. All that remains of Notre-Dame are pieces of Parisian stone, charred wood, and ashes. However, the original design was captured in a detailed 3D scan performed in 2000 by the late Professor Andrew Tallon. 

For the moment, in the midst of the search for ingenious solutions and the confrontation with the scarcity of skills and materials, the reconstruction of Notre-Dame presents itself as a monumental challenge, transcending the physical aspect and raising deep questions at the heart of the tragedy about historical authenticity.

Why has this event had an international emotional impact?

Human beings have a great appreciation for the traces of their past because it is what makes the present make sense. In other words, tangible and intangible art is what forms the culture and the environment in which we move.

Undoubtedly, the destruction of these elements has an important impact on how we understand life. We feel that if certain emblems disappear, part of who we are is also disappearing with them. 

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most outstanding icons of Art History in the world and this is why its destruction has caused a great sense of loss. We are talking about one of the most relevant monuments of history and French Gothic. 

If you are interested in visiting this wonderful cathedral and the French capital, do not hesitate to book a room in our hotels in Paris for your next trip.