The Notre-Dame brûlée cathedral: the whole planet cries

A catastrophic fire hit yesterday the high-rise areas of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, while restorations were underway, putting at risk one of the greatest architectural treasures of the Western world in front of the astonished eyes of tourists and tourists. Parisians.

The fire destroyed the spire of the cathedral and extended to one of its iconic rectangular towers, but the Parisian fire chief, Jean-Claude Gallet, said the structure of the cathedral Pregnant had been saved thanks extended to the northern bell tower area.

The 12th century cathedral houses priceless works of art and is one of the world's most famous tourist attractions, immortalized in Victor Hugo's novel. Notre Dame of Paris, from 1831.

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The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the French press reported that a Paris fire brigade had indicated that the fire "could be linked" to a renovation project of 6 , $ 8 million on the church steeple. with 250 tons of lead.

The prosecution found it to be arson or possible motives related to terrorism.

When the needle fell, the sky was lit up with orange flames from the roof behind the nave of the cathedral, one of the most visited places in the world. Hundreds of people have cluttered the bridges around the island where the structure is located, watching, incredulous, huge columns of smoke.

At night, there were indications that the fire was giving way.

Concussion

While the cathedral was burning, the Parisians gathered to pray in front of the Saint Julien les Pauvres church, on the other side of the river, in front of Notre Dame, while the flames lit up the sky behind them.

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre-Dame is the most famous Gothic cathedral of the medieval era, as well as one of the most appreciated structures in the world. Located on Ile de la Cité, an island of the Seine, the architecture of the cathedral is distinguished by its gargoyles and flying buttresses.

Among the most recognized works of art inside its interior are its three rosettes located at the top of the west, north and south sides of the structure.

Its precious treasures also include a Catholic relic: the crown of thorns, which is only rarely exposed, including on Fridays during Lent.

The French historian Camille Pascal said: "The cathedral has been guarding Paris for 800 years, events that have been happy and unhappy for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre-Dame, and we can only be horrified by what we see. . "

Reactions quickly appeared around the world. The Vatican issued a statement in which he expressed his shock and sadness at the "terrible fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral, a symbol of Christianity in France and in the world".

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, said: "I pray to ask the intercession of Our Lady, Our Lady, for the cathedral in the heart of Paris and for the civilization that is now burning. this beautiful house of prayer and protects firefighters who fight the fire. "

The main relics were at the shelter

The voice of alarm has precipitated the rescue tasks.

treasures The rector of the temple, Archbishop Chauvet, badured that the main relics could be saved, among which the crown of thorns of Christ.

The treasure was not touched, but some of the largest altarpieces, which could not be saved.

The damage is immeasurable, objects such as stained glbad windows, gargoyles and a large number of historical objects have been lost, impossible to recover.