We were all stunned yesterday when one of the national, cultural and historical emblems of France went up in flames. The Notre Dame Cathedral survived tumultuous French history over 850 years, but was devastated amid renovation works at the start of Catholic Easter week. For over 12 hours, hundreds of firefighters fought to contain the blaze that engulfed this iconic site. In the end, the famed Paris Notre Dame Cathedral sustained immense damage, and while the twin bell towers remain, the spire and wooden roof collapsed. Although details are still being release and the full extent of the damage has to be ascertained, it has been stated some of its treasured artwork and relics survived the fire.
Although it will be at least 6 years before the Cathedral is reopen to the public, here is what we know Survived the Notre Dame Fire:
- The main structure, including the twin bell towers with its iconic rose windows survived without catastrophic damage. The North tour was completed in 1240 and the South Tower in 1250. Within the cathegral, the 42 ft. stained glass window that includes scenes from the Old & New Testaments, did not suffer catastrophic damage, although some of the lead that hold the panes in places have melted so this is something that will need to be quickly addressed.
- Intricately-carved stonework on the exterior of the building.
- Pictures being shown this morning on TV showed the high altar, with a cross and sculptor Nicolas Coustou’s Descent From The Cross, or Pieta still standing, which was painted in 1723. Sixteen religious statues that had been removed in recent weeks for cleaning, were spared.
- Also, thanks to the first responders creating a human chain to save religious artifacts & relics, it has been confirmed that the Tunic of Saint Louis and the Crown of Thorns had been saved.
- One French journalist reported that at least one of the stained glass windows appears to be undamaged.
- The famous 18th century organ that boasts more then 8,000 pipes survived, but does have significant damage. None of the pipes collapsed which means it is hopeful that it can be restored.
- The May de Notre-Dame, a series of painting done in the 17th and 18th century Paris, may have some smoke damage, according to French Culture Minister Franck Riester, but no fire damage.
- Although much is still unknown including the cause of the fire, it is clear that there is a commitment to restore the cathedral.
- The 3 meter tall copper statues that looked over the city from Notre Dame’s 96 meter peak had already been sent away due to the renovation project that was underway.
Unfortunately, the 315 foot tall oak spire that was construction, fell in the early hours for the fire. The spire contained relics of St. Denis & St. Genevieve, the patron saints of Paris which are also now destroyed.
One expert warned that restoring Notre Dame Cathedral following the damage caused by yesterday’s fire could take as long as two decades, but there is no doubt that France is committed to do so. The family of Bernard Arnault, owners of LVMH luxury groups MOET Hennessy Louis Vuitton, planned to contribute 200 million euro million for the reconstruction. The Pinault family pledged 100 million euros (around $113 million). Total, L’oreal and several others have all pledged money as well. As of writing this blog, over 400 million euros had been committed to the restoration, and we are certain that number will grow in the coming days and weeks.
