Symbol of Hope: Notre Dame Cathedral regains its luster with the unveiling of the tower and the golden rooster.
fire last year. After months of careful restoration work, the scaffolding surrounding the top of Notre Dame’s newly constructed spire was removed, allowing the public to catch a glimpse of the restored structure. This significant event symbolizes a milestone for the historic Parisian cathedral, which had suffered extensive damage from a devastating fire just last year.a fire in April 2019The tall tower, decorated with a cross and a golden rooster, emerges from a tightly woven framework of support pillars.
The new tower is a replica of the original tower that was destroyed in the fire.
Notre Dame is expected to reopenelectric short circuit. The cathedral plans to reopen in 2024.electrical malfunction during a renovation.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his joy and pride over the achievement, sharing on social media, “She has reappeared in the sky once more! A source of pride for France.”
Jennifer Feltman, a University of Alabama medieval art historian who belongs to a particular group,official teamIn a phone interview, the person studying the restoration of Notre Dame expressed that the unveiling was incredibly remarkable. They also mentioned that reaching this stage has been possible due to a significant amount of dedication on their part.
The devastating fire created a gap in the Paris skyline that resembles a cathedral and left the city feeling empty. The rebuilding of the spire has brought happiness to those who believed in the recovery of something lost, although not everyone feels the same way. This unveiling also signifies the end of a heated discussion on how to repair the iconic structure. Some people believed it was crucial to recreate the spire from the 19th-century, while others feared that imitating the past would negate our contemporary design sensibilities.
Notre Dame Rises Again: Unveiling of the new tower and golden rooster after fire restoration.
describes the new construction as primarily a restoration project.describesexact replica in terms of appearance, materials (made with an oak frame covered in lead), and how it was built compared to the previous one. However, the only difference is the golden rooster, which now resembles a phoenix with wings on fire, redesigned by the reconstruction’s chief architect, Philippe Villeneuve. It should be noted that there was already a rooster atop the spire before, and this new one is believed to be an identical representation of the previous bird.emblem of France.
approximately 800 years ago, has experienced numerous changes throughout its existence.around 1250In the 1600s, the structure functioned as a bell tower but was taken down in the 1700s due to the danger of collapsing caused by deterioration. After that, for many years, the cathedral did not have a spire. However, in the mid-19th century, architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc created a new spire that remained until it was destroyed by the fire.
This event is a milestone in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Meredith Cohen, a historian specializing in medieval architecture at UCLA, commended the individuals accountable for the restoration for their openness and thorough record-keeping. However, she expressed mixed feelings through a phone conversation, describing herself as somewhat uncertain or conflicted about the unveiling process.
Notre Dame, which started construction in 1163, was not officially considered finished until 1345. Over the years, numerous additions and modifications were made to the cathedral. According to Cohen, builders incorporated elements and conducted repairs according to the prevailing style of their era. Therefore, it is ironic that the best way to restore the medieval Notre Dame would be to repair it using contemporary techniques and designs.
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Historic achievement: Notre Dame revives its spirit by installing the tower and the golden rooster.
Cohen admits that the public may desire the return of the adored 19th-century spire, but it is not possible. She explains that the current spire is merely a replica built in the 21st century to resemble the original. She believes that this approach is manipulating history to some extent and lacks visual authenticity.
Cohen is not the only one who holds this perspective. Numerous contemporary interpretations of the spire were suggested, however.not all were serious, and Macron once proposed the idea. However, Villeneuve, the main architect of the reconstruction, stated that he would rather quit than allow a contemporary spire.reported.
According to Feltman, a professor from Alabama, advanced technology made it possible for the architects to accurately rebuild the spire. She attributes this achievement to the highly detailed digital scans. She also noted that by recreating a structure from the 19th century, they are inadvertently developing a modern piece.
Feltman mentioned that witnessing the construction of the cathedral has a medieval sense to it. He believes that this rare opportunity allows people to gain a deeper understanding of the past. For many, the revelation of the cathedral this week was a particularly thrilling moment.
