Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is ready to open its doors.

On June 21, a section of Notre Dame Cathedral's wall was adorned with a new poster welcoming the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the cathedral's reopening in December.

During a construction progress update on June 25th, the director and parish priest of the cathedral, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, announced that Notre Dame de Paris will officially reopen on December 8th. The inauguration will be a grand ceremony, with continuous Masses over eight days, celebrated by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, including a special service for the firefighters, volunteers, artisans, and staff who participated in the restoration.

The renovation of the church's interior, a massive undertaking, was completed with "joy, eagerness, and profound gratitude" by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris suffered a major fire in April 2019, causing the spire to collapse and burning down part of the roof of the 860-year-old Gothic structure. Images of the flames engulfing Notre Dame Cathedral spread worldwide , shocking those who appreciate architecture and culture. Hundreds of thousands of donors from 150 countries contributed more than $840 million to restore the cathedral.

The church has not only been restored to its original state but also cleverly incorporates modern design elements, promising a unique viewing experience for visitors.

In addition to new interior furnishings, the chapel's decorative motifs have been restored to their original brilliance, and seven tapestries and six stained-glass windows have been added. These windows are representative works selected through a competition that brought together 110 contemporary artists, including Daniel Buren, Herve Di Rosa, and Yan Pei-Ming. This combination aims to honor the church's historical value while infusing the building with contemporary artistic flair.

Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas emphasized that the restoration project would offer a "profound cultural and spiritual experience." The restoration process also includes the restoration of key elements such as the main tower, the wooden framework, the golden cross, and the rooster statue, ensuring that the church's distinctive shape is preserved while incorporating modern safety features.

The cathedral anticipates a surge in visitors after its reopening, with approximately 15 million annual visitors, up from 12 million before the fire. The cathedral management will implement an online ticketing system, ensuring visitors have a maximum wait time of 30 minutes to enter. Tickets will also be sold directly at the cathedral to serve spontaneous visitors. Individual visitors can begin visiting the cathedral on December 16th, while pilgrims and tour groups will be welcomed from February 1st, 2025, and after Pentecost. Visitors will be able to tour a portion of the cathedral grounds, including the plaza, gardens, and south portico. This is the first step in the plan to fully open the cathedral in 2026.

Visitors explore the church through an outdoor exhibition in 2023.

The church will provide a mobile app to assist visitors, pilgrims, and children. Guidebooks and assistive devices for visitors with disabilities will also be prepared.

After restoration, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris can accommodate 2,500 visitors at a time, bringing the total daily visitor numbers to 40,000 – double that of the Palace of Versailles and over 10,000 more than the Louvre Museum. The combination of historical charm and modern improvements, along with an advanced fire safety system, promises an impressive and safe experience for all visitors.

The public is eager to discover "a sanctuary of beauty, tenderness, and comfort as a sign of hope in difficult times," Archbishop Ulrich said.

TH (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nha-tho-duc-ba-paris-san-sang-mo-cua-386195.html