This is quite a late evening post for me but given the current news about the fire that is ravaging the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, I couldn’t help but write. I am heartbroken watching the videos that have been splashed all over social media; the iconic spire cracking and wailing as it falls into the flames, the wooden interior slowly peeling away from its skeleton and falling into the firey pit below and the smoke blackening the Parisian sky, mourning for the demise of the medieval cathedral.
At the time of writing, the cause is undetermined. Current theories suggest an awfully dark irony: that the reconstruction works attempting to preserve the Cathedral might have accidentally caused the fire. I’m not really sure the causation is the most important factor, it’s the history of the building and the irreplaceable works of art and architecture disappearing into the smoke that devastates me.
In honour and commemoration of the tragic events that are currently unfolding in Paris, I wanted to write a short history of Notre-Dame. Whilst it won’t save the iconic building from burning, it is still important to preserve the intellectual history of the cathedral.
The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1163, witnessed by Pope Alexander III. It was one of a series of buildings that were constructed at the behest of King Louis VII, who wanted to shape the identity of Paris and convey its power. In terms of innovation, the cathedral made use of a rib vault nave to give increased structure more support and a transept was added near the altar in order to let more light flood into the building. The spire, which today has collapsed, was added initially in the 13th century. The structure became damaged and dangerous over the years and was ultimately removed in 1786 and the decision was made to rebuild it in the 19th-century restoration efforts. I can’t help but think that if it’s been rebuilt once, it can be again.
Throughout the centuries since its original construction, Notre-Dame has undergone significant transformations. From complete renovations in style (to the Rayonnant style, which favoured the repetition of motifs in various sizes, best seen on the Rose Windows in the cathedral, see below), to the addition of the flying buttresses (which more evenly distributed the weight of the roof and enabled taller walls and larger windows to be added), the Cathedral has consistently changed in appearance.
Over time, Notre-Dame has witnessed its fair share of destruction. In the 16th century, Huguenots caused substantial damage to some of its statues and during the French Revolution, in the late 18th century, the cathedral was plundered and statues were beheaded because they were believed to be kings of France (they were, in fact, biblical kings). Even as recently as 1944, Notre-Dame suffered minor wounds from gunfire during the liberation of Paris.
Notre-Dame has survived extensive hardship throughout centuries of conflict and the power of the natural elements. Though it is suffering once more, I can only hope that Notre-Dame will, once again, push through and show the resilience it is known for. I really hope that the fire can be stopped before the entire structure is lost – we might lose some of the original structure but I hope we will rebuild and protect the invaluable history that will still remain within her walls.
The Girl In The Window 