Construction for the great Notre Dame began in 1163. For about 100 years after the establishment, other embellishments were added onto the legendary cathedral.  The architectural masterpiece is the most famous of all Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Age. Notre Dame was initiated by Maurice de Sully, who was the bishop of Paris (1160), and the foundation of the church was laid by Pope Alexander III (1163). The cathedral went through severe deterioration and damage through the several centuries it had yet faced. In the mid-19th century, French architect, Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, restored the church’s casualties.

The next restoration the church would undergo would be about 200 years later; in 2019.

During the restoration this year, on April 15, a fire broke out beneath the roof of the cathedral. The enormous fire destroyed the majority of the roof, Viollet-le-Duc’s renovated spire, and parts of the rib vaulting.

Notre Dame’s iconic pipe organ is the largest in France and it is centuries years old. When the spire collapsed, the organ was damaged with it. “We were just terrified, absolutely terrified,” Latry, the chief organist at Notre Dame says. “This is probably the most famous organ in the world.” Though the organ was spared from the fire, it will still have to go through substantial and expensive renovations.

French President Emmanuel Macron reports on the devasting fire. He addressed, “We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years.” Macron continues, saying, “Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind’s mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them … The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched.”

The fire has initiated great sadness throughout France, but also a burst of hope. Citizens have been brought together to not only raise money for the restoration but also, grieve and remember the original history of their beautiful landmark.