After the fire, Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen in December

The restoration of the centuries-old building, a landmark of Gothic architecture, began in 2021

Closed for restoration after the tragic fire of 2019, the Notre Dame Cathedralin Paris, has a scheduled reopening date: December 8, 2024, more than five years after fire consumed part of the structure.

The building located on one of the natural islands of the Seine, with more than 860 years of history, is one of the main monuments in France and throughout Europe. Before the disaster it received an average of 13 million visitors a year.

A landmark in the center of Paris

Built between 1163 and 1345 The Île de la Citéa small island surrounded by the Seine, Notre Dame Cathedral In Paris It is one of the greatest and oldest exponents of Gothic and Romanesque architecture in the world.

In addition to hosting a rich artistic collection, the place hosts historical objects, such as an 18th century organ, and relics considered sacred in Christianity, such as fragments of the Crown of Thorns and the Cross of Jesus Christ. During its existence, the place was also the scene of important events, such as the coronation of King Henry VI of England in 1431.

Notre Dame in flames

Visits to the cathedral were interrupted on April 15, 2019, when a fire caused extensive damage to the temple structure.

The flames, probably caused by ongoing work on site, spread for hours, causing the fall of the famous central “arrow”, which had been rebuilt in the 1860s. The catastrophe also caused the total collapse of its partial vault clock.

The so-called “forest”, which formed the roof of the cathedral, was also consumed by fire. This attic-shaped architectural treasure contained approximately 1,300 wooden beams from different trees, aged between 300 and 400 years. Part of this structure turned to ash and the rest was charred to the ground.

The organ, the Crown of Thorns, the tunic of St. Louis and the statue of St. John were not hit by the flames, but were damaged by the rubble.

Under the spotlight of reconstruction

Surely you’ve heard of it Quasimodo. Before becoming the character of a series of contemporary literary, theatrical and cinematographic productions, the famous “Hunchback of Notre-Dame” starred in the novel Notre Dame of Pariswritten by Victor Hugo in 1831.

In addition to narrating the challenges of a fatal love, the work denounces the precarious conditions of the cathedral and promotes important renovation works, carried out between 1844 and 1864. The neglect attributed to its structures in the 19th century, fortunately, does not reflect the efforts made after the 2019 fire.

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A post shared by Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (@notredamedeparis)

Relying on donations from the French luxury sector (including the LVMH group, which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bulgari and Marc Jacobs), the restoration cost more than half a billion euros and involved around 250 companies and ateliers across the Village. France.

Before the start of the renovation works in 2021, two years of studies were dedicated to planning the project, which mobilized around 500 workers daily, including carpenters, bricklayers, sculptors, glassmakers and other professionals.

Waiting for the reopening

At the reopening, which will be marked by a novena between 8 and 15 December, 14 million people are expected.

The preparation for the big day will also include a popular procession through the streets of the city Pariswhich will accompany the return to the cathedral of the statue of the Virgin and Child, a 14th century sculpture saved from a fire.

More information (in French) on the cathedral’s official website.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.