Notre Dame Cathedral, an 800 year old building that is showcases beautiful Gothic Architectural art, was caught on fire recently in Paris and was said by the Fire Dept. that it could have been started in the attic. Construction began in 1163 after the old cathedral was demolished in 1160 and wasn’t completed until 1345 on a small island in the middle of Seine…a project that took over 150 years to do. During the late 1700’s, in the time of the French Revolution, the structure withstood so many great issues. The cathedral was almost demolished but was actually saved by Napoleon, who had actually been crowned inside the cathedral in the early 1800’s.
During WWII, a slight rumor went around while the cathedral was in construction. It was thought that German Soldiers were actually going to try and destroy the stained glass windows, so they were taken down and after the war, they were put back up. Later on, Joan of Arc was later declared innocent and a Martyr and was recognized by Pope Pius X in the Cathedral.
Inside the Cathedral, going up towards the bell that was redesigned and set to ring automatically, you will encounter over 130 steps that a person must climb to view the bell and Paris itself. There are many greats to see and learn about in the Cathedral, and we can only hope to see it reborn with it’s great beauty restored.
