Notre-Dame de Paris is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest. Also called Notre-Dame Cathedral, is one of the most faimous church in the world. The Cathedral will celebrate 850 years of History, Art and Spirituality at the heart of Paris from the 12th December 2012 to 24th November 2013, in a year marked by many liturgical, cultural and artistic events, as well as by major renovation projects, some of which follow in the footsteps of the Cathedral’s original builders.
Located at the eastern end of the Ile de la Cite, an Seine's island, in the historical heart of the Paris, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was built on the ruins of two earlier churches. The cathedral was initiated by Maurice de Sully, who about 1160 conceived the idea of converting into a single building over the ruins of the two earlier basilicas. Construction began in 1163 with the choir, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182. The most significant change in design came in the mid 13th century, when the transepts were remodeled in the latest Rayonnant style. Remaining elements completed in 1345.
The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress. After the construction began and the thinner walls grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral's architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. Inside, exceptional features include three spectacular rose windows – the most renowned of which is the 10m-wide one over the western façade above the 7800-pipe organ – and the window on the northern side of the transept, which has remained virtually unchanged since the 13th century.
The Towers at Notre-Dame contain five church bells. The great bourdon bell, Emmanuel, original to 1681, is located in the South Tower and it have just over 13 tons. There are four additional bells on wheels in the North Tower. These bells were meant to replace nine which were removed from the Cathedral during the Revolution and are rung for various services and festivals. The 9 new bells, which were delivered to the cathedral at the same time, at 31 January 2013), are designed to replicate the quality and tone of the Cathedral's original bells.
The cathedral suffered desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, when much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. During the 19th century, an extensive restoration project was completed, returning the cathedral to its previous state.
October 14, 2013
A.I.
