2023-12-01 00:21:15
On the frozen nights of Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral appears illuminated and shines like a wounded Christmas tree, covered with iron and wooden walkways, for its Next inauguration on December 8, 2024.
After its fierce fire in April 2019, the thousand-year-old Old Lady has recovered much of its familiar silhouette, with the construction of the new wooden spire to replace the predecessor, which was consumed in an incident that shocked the world. The spire is outlined in the sky, surrounded by silver lattice scaffolding. It is the new tourist attraction of the capital.
Scaffolding conceals the 70-metre-high latticework of oak beams, which has been bolted over the transept of the badly damaged cathedral, which is entering the final restoration phasebefore its planned reopening in a year.
The symbolic needle, similar to the original
The collapse of the burning spire, one of the most distinctive symbols of Notre Dame, was the most dramatic image on the night of the fire that also destroyed the roof, weakened the structure, broke the vaults, and blackened the interior.
Notre Dame Cathedral is expected to reopen on December 8, 2024. Photo: AP
After President Macron abandoned a modern renovation proposal, the spire was built using traditional materials and methods, as a replica of the version installed in the mid-19th century by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
The spire will be topped with its original copper rooster. The weather vane has been repaired since it was found battered under the rubble after the fire.
The wooden structure, which will be covered in lead, should be fully visible before Christmas, fulfilling the promise of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, responsible for the restoration, who died in August at the age of 75 while hiking in your holidays in the Pyrenees. The spire was demolished in a decrepit state in 1792, after the French Revolution.
The new spire is constructed from green oak, sourced from trees up to 18m long, which were felled in the winter of 2021-22. Ten years of drying have been planned, which will alter the shape of the beams.
The wooden structure
Philippe Jost, Georgelin’s successor, aims to complete the intricate wooden structure supporting the roof of the nave and choir by spring. The metal covering should be finished by the Paris Olympics in July and August next year, giving the cathedral its normal appearance.
Reconstruction work in the Notre Dame cathedral, in Paris, after the fire in April 2019. Photo: EFE
It is believed that the fire occurred in the “forest”, as the wooden area is known, after being started by an electrical fault. The restored version will be equipped with a high-tech fire fighting system, which will spray water if the sensors detect smoke or heat.
The roof will be divided into compartments, to prevent the spread of fire if it occurs.
It is expected that the reconstruction works of 942 million dollars They will be completed in December of next year.
Cleaning of interior walls is nearing completion before installation of furniture and accessories. The stained glass windows, which survived, are being reinstalled after cleaning. Repairs to the cathedral organ are advanced.
The gardens, ahead
Redevelopment work on the surrounding land and new entrances is unlikely to be completed before reopening next December.
An image of the Notre Dame fire, on April 15, 2019. Photo: AFP
The remodeling of the esplanade and surroundings of Notre-Dame de Paris, whose Final delivery is scheduled for 2027, is led by the team of Belgian architect and landscape designer Bas Smets. The project leaves a lot of room for green spaces and the improvement of the façade of the famous monument.
On the afternoon of April 15, 2019, a large fire partially destroyed the upper part of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The fire caused serious damage, but thanks to the 400 firefighters present at the scene, the monument was partially saved.
After this tragedy, emotional messages of support have come from all over the world.
When does it reopen?
The reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris is announced for December 8, 2024. A Te Deum is planned for April 15, 2024, exactly 5 years after the fire.
The restoration is led by architect Philippe Villeneuve. The general principle is to rebuild the cathedral in an identical way, including the needle.
Masses are currently being celebrated in the church of Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois in the first arrondissement of Paris, where services will be held for the next few years during restoration work on the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.
French people and foreigners who wish to do so can make a donation to support the cathedral and participate in its restoration.
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