April 15 marks the first anniversary of the fire that devastated Notre Dame de Paris, one of the greatest landmarks of Western civilization. The Cathedral was accidentally set ablaze likely by a short circuit due to an ongoing renovation and miraculously remained intact despite losing a spire and a wooden roof. Throughout its 850-year-old history, Notre Dame de Paris survived several swirling events including the French Revolution, World War I and World War II, as well as plague, smallpox, cholera, flu and other fatal diseases that ravaged France and the rest of Europe. The current COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily put breaks on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris which is quite symbolic as it exemplifies the hardship and resilience of the French people. I was very fortunate to visit Notre-Dame de Paris in 2017 and was stunned by its grandeur and beauty, and today I'd like to share some of those memories with you.
Even by today's standards, Notre Dame de Paris makes a spectacular and monumental appearance from the outside.
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The Cathedral's flying buttresses support the whole structure and have a very ominous look resembling a giant skeleton with ribs.
Combine it with the numerous monsters called gargoyles staring down at parishioners from the walls, and you'll get an idea of what this Cathedral was like for mere mortals in the Middle Ages. Well, actually, the gargoyles aren't that old as they were only added between 1843 and 1864.
Notre-Dame de Paris set the standard of a new architecture called Gothic that flourished in Europe for almost four centuries. It still is the finest example of the French Gothic architectural style.
The interior is immensely spacious thanks to the buttresses forming pointed arches.
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Stained glass windows, another indefeasible feature of the Gothic style, mesmerize and fill with wonder.
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Climbing the towers will not only allow you to take a close peek at the oldest bell called Emmanuel circa 1681, but also will offer you some of the best bird-eye views of Paris.
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My other posts about Paris:
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