Interesting Facts about Notre Dame Cathedral You Probably Didn’t Know

4/21/2019

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Geography Story: Interesting Facts about Notre Dame Cathedral You Probably Didn’t Know

A fire engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, destroying historic architecture in a matter of hours. It’s difficult to overestimate the historical significance of the Cathedral. Fortunately, Notre Dame is not dead and a plan to renovate the French symbol has already been announced by the French government. Let’s recollect all the features that attract millions of tourists every year.

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Notre-Dame de Paris is built on the Île de la Cité (City Island) in the very center of Paris.

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On the square in front of the church there is a much overlook tiny plate, “point zéro des routes de France” (Point Zero of French Roads), which indicates where all distances to and from Paris are measured from.

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There are 140 steps to the top of the tallest bell tower.

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In 1831 the French writer Victor Hugo wrote the classic "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," which made the cathedral famous.

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The three great rose windows were all made with 13th-century glass.

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It took 182 years to build the cathedral. Building began in 1163 and ended in 1345.

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There are chimeras and gargoyles on the walls of Notre-Dame. They were added between 1843 and 1864 during the radical restoration overseen by Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.

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Notre-Dame is home to a priceless treasure among which are the Holy Crown worn by the Christ, a piece of the Cross, and a nail.

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The cathedral contained one of the oldest surviving wood-timber frames in Paris, involving around 52 acres of trees that were cut down in the 12th century.

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In 2013 a small hive of bees was installed on the Notre-Dame sacristy.

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The Notre-Dame organ involves almost 8000 pipes (some dating back to the 18th century) played with five keyboards, making it the biggest pipe organ in France.

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At first glance, Notre-Dame’s two towers appear like identical twins. Closer examination reveals that the north tower is, in fact, a bit bigger than the south.

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The Portal Sainte-Anne was recycled from a previous Romanesque church and adapted to fit the Gothic structure of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Have you ever been to Paris? Do you know other facts about Notre Dame Cathedral? Share them in the comments!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

52 Comments

Steve Goodman

Been there, not religious but couldn't speak whilst there, felt "something "Dont know what, but eerie

Linda Evers

My daughter and her family were in Paris when the fire occurred. They had been to Notre Dame earlier in the day and my son-in-law had taken a lot of photos in the area. He went back the following day to take a series of ‘after’ photos to show the devastation.

gjbrodkey

Been to Paris but not inside Notre Dame - vive la France!

Mark Yakabuski

The frieze above the main entrance depicts Jesus flanked by his disciples, 6 on either side each holding something to indicate who they are (Peter with keys, Andrew with fishing rod, etc.) John the youngest, is the only one without a beard and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” looks almost effeminate. The fact this was carved 700 years before The da Vinci Code kind of freaked me out. Okay religious people, lay it on me. I’m just saying what it looks like.

Joni Carroll

They are using the video game assassins creed unity to help rebuild because the cathedral was in it and is in good detail. They are using it to help rebuild it because it has such detail they need to help rebuild it as there were not many photos available to restore it

Bobie Delaney

When I went to Paris and visited Notra Dame, there are bronze statues of the apostles

Sarasu Ajayakumar

Visited Paris and Notre Dame Cathedral in 2018. Fantastical.

renegarjim

While I was in the Navy and stationed in Naples, I flew several time to Paris but never visited. I did get many visuals from the air of the church. I can still see it in my mind. I wish that I would have visited.

Leapy Lee

I’m glad I spent hours there exploring before the fire. It was amazing.

garrett scott

I consider it the most beautiful manmade structure I have ever seen. When I was there I was fit enough to climb the bell tower. A visiting choir sang. The windows were beautiful. People lighting candles were probably thinking about and/or practicing their faith. Altogether, a moving and memorable experience.

Edith Rookes

Thanks for the info. I did dream of visiting Paris.

Barb Beck

We went in 2017 and got to all through Notre Dame before it caught on fire. I would love to return to Paris some,time...The City of Light"..

vasily tchaikovsky

I.ve been where many times ,but every time as uniqee visit Magic Building

Nancy Yaw

I've been to Paris a couple of times, and had the privilege of visiting Notre Dame. What an impressionable work of art it is. It's massive structure holds so much artistic value, impossible to see all in one day.

Allison Aspden

Great facts & history of the iconic Church.

Lori Livensparger Reinhardt

We were there about a year and a half ago! Obviously before the fire and it was amazing. Beautiful stained glass windows and so serene inside. Would love to go back to Paris!

Ian Swindale

If York Minster in the UK is anything to go by Macron's response that the cathedral will be rebuilt in 5 years is simply unobtainable. York's fire was decades ago and they are still working on its restoration. However I wish them the greatest good luck in achieving what they can so the magnificent cathedral can rise from the ashes