On December 7, 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, one of France's oldest and most famous landmarks, reopened to visitors after being closed for five years for restoration following the 2019 fire.
The revival of this historic landmark not only marks the rebirth of a nearly 900-year-old masterpiece but also reinforces the significance of determination and solidarity of France and the entire world .
A historical symbol of France.
As one of the symbols of Western Christian civilization, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is world-renowned for the architectural and cultural values it represents.
Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (in French, Notre-Dame de Paris) began construction in the mid-12th century.
Construction of this building continued uninterrupted for approximately 200 years. Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Cité oasis in the Seine River in Paris.
This unique geographical location has made the cathedral a historical symbol, closely linked to the formation and development of Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral is 128 meters long, 48 meters wide, and 96 meters high, and can hold 6,500 people. It is not the largest cathedral in France, but it is the most influential and attractive.
As the most famous religious building of the Gothic architectural style, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris features symmetrical, herringbone-shaped arches. With its pointed spires on the exterior and soaring ceilings adorned with stained-glass and kaleidoscopic windows, this historic structure has been featured in numerous classic works of literature.
After nearly nine centuries of existence, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris embodies all the historical, religious, architectural, and cultural values that have made it one of the greatest symbols of Western Christian civilization.
Having survived two world wars, on August 24, 1944, Notre Dame Cathedral rang its bells, proclaiming the liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.
Notre Dame Cathedral has also become a source of inspiration for many literary works, including the famous novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by the great writer Victor Hugo, with the main character being the hunchback Quasimodo.
Prior to the 2019 fire, this site attracted between 12 and 14 million visitors from around the world each year, making it the most visited historical landmark in Europe.
A masterpiece reborn.
In the past, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was damaged at the end of the 18th century, during the French Revolution (1789). The subsequent restoration, under the direction of architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was not completed until the end of the 19th century.
Subsequently, in the 21st century, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was unexpectedly engulfed in a massive fire on April 15, 2019, burning down two-thirds of the cathedral's roof. The spire, roof, and many other important architectural elements of Notre Dame Cathedral were severely damaged.
The fire caused a strong emotional reaction worldwide because it was a great loss to a cultural icon of France and of the world.
At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to restore and reopen the cathedral after five years, a commitment that sparked considerable skepticism. However, true to his word, the restoration was completed after five years and it reopened to visitors on December 7, 2024.
According to President Macron's office, France has received funding from various sources around the world to restore this historic building, estimated at 843 million euros. Of this, 700 million euros have been spent on the first two phases of reinforcement and restoration; the remaining 140 million euros will be used to restore the facades and roof of the sacristy by early 2025.
After five years of tireless work, the artisans and carpenters have successfully completed the restoration, bringing back the church's original beauty. The iconic spire has now been meticulously reconstructed, ready to welcome visitors.
The spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, standing 96 meters tall, was constructed entirely of oak wood, with its surrounding structure completed in late December 2023. Around this spire, the original lead-decorated statues have been reinstalled. Fortunately, these statues were taken down before the fire, and therefore were not damaged.
Restoring the church's spire is an extremely laborious task and requires specialized techniques.
From a distance, the tower resembles a needle with two open levels, including railings, columns, gables, and a pointed spire. Weighing 750 tons, the tower's wooden base serves as a solid foundation, supporting the entire complex structure.
The tower's main body is an octagonal structure 20 meters high, composed of 285 parts. The base, designed like a stool, is 15 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 6 meters high, securing the tower to four large pillars.
In addition to the spire, the roof of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has also been restored to its original form, reflecting the 13th-century masterpiece. The roof is composed of a series of basic spans approximately 4 meters long. Each span includes triangular structures with four secondary rafters and one main rafter.
A week before this historic masterpiece reopened, on November 29, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Notre Dame Cathedral and was completely overwhelmed by what the artisans had painstakingly worked on for the past five years to "transform coal dust into art."
During the visit, President Macron emphasized that this was an opportunity to express special thanks to the 2,000 people from all professions and 250 different companies, from woodworkers, metalworkers, stonemasons, scaffolders, roofers, bell makers, to art restorers, gilders, builders, sculptors, carpenters, organ makers, architects, archaeologists, engineers, and others who participated in the restoration of the cathedral.
President Macron stated: "The embers of Notre Dame Cathedral were once a national wound, and you have healed it with your will, your work, and your dedication… You have accomplished what many thought was impossible."
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nha-tho-duc-ba-paris-su-hoi-sinh-ky-dieu-tu-dong-tro-tan-236300.html
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