Five years after a devastating fire engulfed one of the world’s most iconic religious structures, the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is poised to fully reopen as reconstruction efforts draw to a close. The grand reopening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, and will be presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron. Approximately 50 national leaders, including then-US President-elect Donald Trump, are expected to attend the event. Following the official ceremony, the renowned cathedral will once again welcome the public, marking the end of a lengthy restoration process that began on April 15, 2019, when images of the burning cathedral seared into the collective memory of Francophiles worldwide.
The journey to restore Notre Dame has been extensive, with a rich history dating back to the 12th century when Bishop Maurice de Sully deemed it necessary to construct a grander cathedral to accommodate the growing capital of Paris. Construction commenced in 1163 and was largely completed by 1260, though periodic updates have been made since then. Over the centuries, Notre Dame has stood as a definitive example of French Gothic architecture, serving as the backdrop for both historical events like Napoleon’s coronation and literary masterpieces such as Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’.
Concerns about fire had long been a topic of discussion among those responsible for the cathedral’s upkeep. Erosion had weakened many of the roof timbers, and multi-million-euro renovation projects were underway on the main spire when disaster struck. At approximately 6pm on April 15th, a fire erupted in the attic. Issues with the fire alarm system delayed its detection, and by the time firefighters were notified, the blaze had already spread across the roof and spire. Firefighters arrived on the scene within ten minutes and began battling the inferno from within, a risky but necessary measure to prevent further damage from water drops.
One of the most poignant images of the fire was the spire collapsing as it was consumed by flames. Firefighters prioritized saving the two towers, as damage to them could have led to the collapse of the entire structure. The fire raged until the following morning, by which time Macron had already pledged to rebuild the iconic cathedral. Investigators entered Notre Dame ten days after the fire, by which time a formal investigation into the cause was already underway. Prosecutors quickly ruled out arson, though it was confirmed that some workers had been smoking on the job.
Two months after the fire, then-Archbishop Michel Aupetit held the first mass inside the cathedral, attended by around 30 people in the Chapel of the Virgin. On July 16th, France’s parliament passed a law governing the restoration of the spire and recognized the building’s UNESCO World Heritage status. A year later, the forecourt reopened after extensive cleaning to remove toxic lead dust, though the reopening was slightly delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After over two years of preparation, including lead decontamination and structural fortification, reconstruction of the destroyed spire, roof, vault, and nave began. The process, which cost €165 million, ensured the cathedral was secure and ready for restoration. French army general Jean-Louis Georgelin was appointed to oversee the reconstruction in 2020 but passed away, leading to civil servant Philippe Jost taking over the role.
The 170-year-old stained glass windows survived the fire but required cleaning from eight glass manufacturers. A golden rooster, a national emblem of France, survived the fire and was replaced on the new spire. In December, Macron visited the cathedral as the new spire was unveiled, and Archbishop Laurent Ulrich blessed the rooster.
After extensive work, including the felling of 12,000 oak trees for the roof, the cathedral’s roof was completed, and the bells, which could have caused catastrophic damage, were returned. With the interior finishing touches complete, Macron made his final visits ahead of the grand reopening, which will feature the reopening of the cathedral’s massive doors, the reawakening of its organ, and the celebration of the first Mass.
On Saturday evening, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will lead a reopening service for over 1,500 guests, followed by an inaugural Mass on Sunday with special rites to consecrate the main altar. The reopening of Notre Dame is not just a restoration but a testament to resilience and global influence for both France and the Catholic Church.
Source link: https://www.euronews.com
