Nearly five years after a devastating fire tore through the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the restoration effort has hit a significant milestone with the unveiling of its newly rebuilt spire.
The Etablissement Public, the body overseeing the restoration, has begun the process of dismantling the scaffolding that has encased the spire, a structure that soars to a height of 330 feet. This marks a significant step towards the cathedral’s reopening, scheduled ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The original spire, added during a 19th-century renovation, was not part of the cathedral’s initial construction but became an integral aspect of its silhouette. After the fire in April 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron committed to restoring the cathedral to its former glory, sparking a debate over whether to modernize its design. However, it was eventually decided that the spire would be reconstructed as a replica of the original, combining traditional materials like oak and lead to preserve the historical integrity of the 800-year-old structure.
While the cathedral will not be open to the public during the Paris Olympics, the removal of scaffolding and the restoration work’s progress have stirred hope and anticipation among Parisians and the global community.
The reconstruction effort, bolstered by a substantial fundraising campaign that garnered over 800 million euros from around the world, aims not only to restore the cathedral but to enhance its resilience against future threats.
This includes the implementation of an anti-fire misting system and the recreation of the original cross, ensuring that Notre Dame’s legacy continues for centuries to come.
Editorial credit: Vernerie Yann / Shutterstock.com
