(CLO) After more than 5 years of reconstruction, Notre Dame Cathedral officially opened to the world on November 29 with rebuilt soaring ceilings and smooth white stone walls like new, erasing the dark memories of the terrible fire in 2019.
Live footage of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Notre Dame Cathedral has shown the interior of the cathedral, with the vast open space letting in sunlight that illuminates the brilliant stained glass windows.
Mr Macron was among the first to catch a glimpse of the newly renovated cathedral on the morning of November 29. He walked through the cathedral’s huge, intricately carved front doors and gazed up at the ceiling in wonder.
“It was overwhelming,” the president said as he toured the site with First Lady Brigitte and several officials, shaking hands with many of the master craftsmen who worked on the renovation.
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral on November 29. Photo: Pool
The facade of Notre Dame Cathedral on November 29 ahead of the French President's visit. Photo: Pool
Inside Notre Dame Cathedral during French President Macron's visit. Photo: Pool
Major reconstruction works have restored the spire, domes, buttresses, stained glass windows and carved stone gargoyles, returning the cathedral to its former glory, with the white and gold stone decorations shining brighter than ever.
The cathedral’s limestone walls looked brand new, clean not only of the dust from the fire but also of the grime that had accumulated over the years. The cathedral attracted millions of worshippers and tourists each year before the fire.
The scene was a far cry from the evening of April 15, 2019, when television viewers in France and around the world watched in horror as the cathedral's roof and spire collapsed in a raging fire, threatening the main bell tower, which had fortunately escaped destruction.
Firefighters worked through the night to save the cathedral, and over five years, thousands of skilled craftsmen used age-old methods to restore, repair, and replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
“It was a special renovation project,” said stone carver Samir Abbas, 38, who breathed a sigh of relief at finishing on schedule as he and about 1,300 other workers waited in front of the cathedral for President Macron.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by many celebrities and heads of state, is expected to take place on the evening of December 7, followed by several special holidays to celebrate the reopening and thank those who helped save and rebuild the cathedral.
The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet stands at the heart of Notre Dame Cathedral. Photo: AFP
According to President Macron's office, so much money from all over the world, more than 840 million euros, has poured in to renovate the cathedral that there is still money left over to invest further in the building.
The Catholic Church now expects the cathedral to welcome around 15 million visitors a year. “We look forward to welcoming the whole world under the roof of our cathedral,” Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris said in a message on the cathedral’s website, expressing the church’s gratitude to all who helped save the cathedral.
Parisians expressed excitement on November 29 at the prospect of the cathedral reopening. “I am very happy,” said Sebastien Truchot, a 50-year-old architect who lives nearby. “Whether you believe in God or not, Notre Dame is a global icon, and it is wonderful to have it back.”
Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters, AP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nha-tho-duc-ba-paris-mo-cua-tro-lai-sau-5-nam-ke-tu-vu-hoa-hoan-kinh-hoang-post323494.html
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