Notre Dame, also known as Notre Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is recognized worldwide as one of the most famous symbols of French culture. It is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and is a Catholic church by design. Notre Dame is shrouded in centuries of mystery and legend. It has survived difficult times many times and risen again and again. Although it is home to the Archdiocese of Paris, it is state property and has been given to the Catholic Church for lifelong and free use. It is in Notre Dame that the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, previously kept in Jerusalem, is kept.
The cathedral was built on one of the islands of the Seine River - Cité, in the heart of the French capital.
Initially, on the site of Notre Dame Cathedral, there was probably a pagan temple. In the IV century, it was replaced by an early Christian church. In the VII century, a new, larger religious building appeared - the Cathedral of St. Stephen, and in 1160, the Parisian bishop Maurice de Sully announced the construction of the grandiose and beautiful Notre Dame de Paris. The construction of Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1163 and was completed in 1345.
Notre Dame Cathedral was heavily damaged during the French Revolution. In 1793, by order of Robespierre, the statues of the facade, in particular the Jewish kings, were beheaded, as they were mistaken for figures of French monarchs. The unique stained glass windows were also damaged, and the spire, erected in the middle of the 13th century, was demolished. This is how the restored spire and the figures of the apostles look now:
Notre Dame Cathedral was returned to the church in 1802, and in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte was consecrated here as emperor. He got married here. Nevertheless, talk began about its demolition. The situation was defused by Victor Hugo, who wrote the novel "Notre Dame de Paris". This was soon followed by a major restoration.
The western (main) facade of Notre Dame overlooks the cathedral square, where the zero kilometer of France is located:
In front of the cathedral is a statue of Charlemagne on horseback, and to the south is a monument to Pope John Paul II, who was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 2014.
Above the Jewish kings, in the rose window, is the Madonna with the newborn baby, and to the right and left of her, a little further away, are the figures of Adam and Eva.
To get to the observation area with a view of the temple, you need to climb a narrow spiral staircase of 387 steps. It offers a wonderful view of Paris.
The height of the temple is 35 meters, the length is 130 meters, the width is 48 meters, the height of the bell tower is 69 meters, the height of the spire is 96 meters, the bell "Emanuela" on the southern tower weighs 13 tons, and its tongue - half a ton.
This is what Notre Dame looks like from the inside:
On 110 windows Incredibly beautiful stained glass windows have been installed.
The first organ was installed in the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in 1402, and the current one has been improved with the help of computer technology. In terms of the number of registers, it is the largest in France.
Here is the main altar:
On the first Friday of each month, as well as every Friday of Lent at 15:00, the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ is brought out to the faithful - a unique relic and one of the greatest shrines of the Christian world.
Notre Dame has a museum where every visitor can learn more about the history of the cathedral, famous and little-known facts associated with this place. It houses various exhibits that are directly related to the centuries-old life of Notre Dame. It also houses an underground treasury of historical and religious relics, including Christ's crown of thorns and one of the nails with which he was nailed to the cross.
The temple is open every day from 8 am. On weekdays it closes at 18.45, on weekends - at 19.15.
With rare exceptions, Sunday mass is presided over by the Archbishop of Paris.
The exact address of Notre Dame: 6, Pavris Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul II 75004 Paris).
Information on how to get to Notre Dame:
Directly on the Ile de la Cité there is a metro station of line 4 Cité, as well as bus stops: Pont Neuf - №70, 72, 74; Cité — Palais de Justice — №21, 38, 47, 58, 96; Cité — Pont d'Arcole — №75. RER B, RER C express trains stop on the left bank of the Seine - Saint-Michel — Notre-Dame station. On the right bank there is the metro station Châtelet lines 1, 7, 11, 14.
Ticket prices:
- entrance to the temple is free;
- view of the temple treasury - 5 euros;
- climbing the towers of the temple - 10 euros.
In April 2019, a fire broke out in Notre Dame, as a result of which the spire collapsed, the wooden frame of the roof burned, and the building itself was significantly damaged. Since then, the cathedral has been closed. According to official sources, it will open on December 25, 2024.
Follow the news on the official website of Notre Dame: https://www.notredamedeparis.fr.
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