When Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire in 2019, the world watched in dismay. The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest Gothic buildings in history. Construction began in 1163 under King Louis VII and wasn’t completed until 1345.  So, when the infamous “flying buttresses and bell towers” and “nearly 900 years of history” were almost destroyed, spectators far and wide held their breath hoping and praying for containment and salvation.

According to Friends of Notre Dame of Paris, the cathedral is a place of worship and a global symbol of communal resilience dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It housed many religious artifacts and treasures within, “such as the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.”

This tragedy ignited global solidarity, according to OSV News, Notre Dame is a “symbol of hope” and its restoration renewed faith

Maureen Verwey, SHS French teacher of 35 years and a frequent visitor to France, shared her experience when visiting Paris. Verwey said, “Notre Dame means ‘our lady’ but the locals refer to the cathedral as ‘the forest’ because the original ceiling was constructed from all wood, using trees in the surrounding forest in the late 1100s.” Verwey also explained, ” The cathedral is more than a monument, it’s a symbol of Christianity in the Western world.” Verwey explained the outer stone wall pictorials of heaven and hell were originally carved because most people were unable to read.

It is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, a historical monument representing hundreds of years. More than just a religious and historical site, it is an icon of Paris that inspires reverence and awe.  According to Madame Verway, the cathedral is the “oldest landmark in Paris”.

When it burned down in April of 2019, reconstruction didn’t begin until two years later in 2021. This universal landmark is an attraction for both locals and tourists to see, then and now since its reconstruction. When the cathedral hosted its first inaugural mass in five years, 40,000 onlookers gathered in public viewing areas.

On the day of its grand reopening, Dec. 7, according to the Associated Press, “1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US First Lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and many more.” It’s expected the cathedral will receive up to 15 million visitors per year after its reopening.