Notre Dame Cathedral - the iconic medieval monument immortalized in history, cinema and literature, has been gradually restored over the past five years, overcoming challenges such as delays during the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of the project's head.
Scaffolding around the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral will be removed from January 24, 2024 to March 6, 2024. Photo: AP
The restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Here are the events during the restoration:
April 2019
A devastating fire tore through Notre Dame Cathedral, collapsing its roof and spire and destroying its interior, sparking a global outpouring of solidarity with the French people. French President Emmanuel Macron has begun work to restore the cathedral to its former glory, pledging to complete it within five years.
June 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the cathedral’s restoration work, but the removal of charred scaffolding that had encased the spire amid previous restoration work still marks an important step.
August 2020
France has begun restoring the cathedral’s once-resounding pipe organ – the largest musical instrument in France. The 8,000-pipe organ survived the fire, but was covered in toxic lead dust. Workers have begun dismantling and cleaning it so experts can restore it later this year.
March 2021
France has cut down the first of 1,000 oak trees planned for the cathedral's spire. The 230-year-old tree was selected from the Bercé forest in France's Loire region.
The spire of Notre Dame Cathedral after the removal of scaffolding, March 14, 2024. Photo: AP
September 2021
The structural integrity of the structure was secured, after carpenters, scaffolding specialists and others helped build temporary structures and create a special giant ''umbrella'' to protect the towers, domes and walls of the roofless building.
Spring 2022
Master glaziers and locksmiths from across France began the process of cleaning and restoring the cathedral's famous stained glass windows.
July 2023
Giant oak trusses were pulled up to Notre Dame Cathedral, drawing Parisians to witness what was described as a magical moment, intertwined with preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
August 2023
France mourns the sudden death of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the former chief of the French army's general staff who was appointed to oversee the restoration. President Macron hailed him as the "greatest soldier" who dedicated himself to restoring Notre Dame Cathedral stone by stone.
December 2023
A golden rooster was returned to the top of the building, marking the rebirth of Notre Dame. With its phoenix-like “wings of fire,” the rooster symbolizes rebirth from the ashes. The statue also contains religious relics, such as part of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.
The cross and rooster on the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, March 14, 2024. Photo: AP
February 2024
Scaffolding was removed to reveal the church's new spire with a golden rooster and a cross, providing a glimpse of the future as the church reopens.
Hoai Phuong (according to AP)
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