NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS

I visited the awesome Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, in May 24, 2010.

Little did I know that is the 'first and last' time I will see her. 

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL

On April 15, 2019, massive fire guts Notre-Dame Cathedral – gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world.

The fire, after burning for fifteen hours, was finally extinguished – it was assumed that the fire was accidental.

The cathedral sustained serious damage including the destruction of the timber spire over the crossing and most of the lead-covered wooden roof above the stone vaulted ceiling.

POSING WITH A MUMMY OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL

Notre-Dame de Paris means 'Our Lady of Paris' often referred to simply as Notre-Dame. It is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the 'lle de la Cite' in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.

The Cathedral is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

Its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style.

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL

Artwork, relics and antiques stored at the cathedral are – the supposed Crown of Thorns which Jesus wore prior to his cruxifixion and a piece of the cross on which he was crucified, a 13th-century organ, stained-glass windows, church bells and bronze statues of the Twelve Apostles.

STATUE SITTING ATOP THE CATHEDRAL

The cathedral's construction was begun in 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully, and completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the following centuries – desecration during French Revolution (1790) and the roof caught fire undergoing renovation (April 15, 2019).

Interest in the cathedral blossomed after the publication of Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) which led to major restoration project between 1844 – 1864.

STATUE IN A ROW

As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. In 1805, Notre-Dame was given the honorary status of a minor basilica.

The cathedral is renowned for its Lent semons founded by the famous Dominican Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire in the 1860s.

Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.

BEAUTIFULLY CARVED DOOR OF THE CATHEDRAL

MAY 24, 2010