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December 8, 2024 | 02:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Notre Dame Cathedral in the capital of France, Paris, reopened on Saturday, December 7, 2024. This is five and a half years after the Catholic church was engulfed by a devastating fire that destroyed the spire and roof, causing the entire Gothic masterpiece to collapse in just minutes.
As reported by Reuters, the 860-year-old medieval cathedral that is a symbol of France and Paris has been meticulously restored. The church now features a new spire and ribbed dome, flying buttresses and carved stone statues returned to their former glory, and its white and gold stone decorations shine brighter than ever.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, Parisians flocked to the scene and viewers around the world watched in horror as the spire and roof of the cathedral collapsed in a blaze threatening the main bell tower and the entire building, which came close to total destruction.
"The world was in shock on that day," said French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the reopening ceremony on Saturday. "This reopening surprise - I am sure and want to believe - will be as strong as the fire, but it will be a surprise of hope."
Macron, weakened by deep political crises at home, will have a chance to forget those hardships as he welcomes U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Prince William of England, and dozens of heads of state and government including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a lavish opening ceremony set to start around 7 p.m. local time.
On the late evening of December 6, Macron's office and the Paris Diocese said strong winds would necessitate holding the celebration entirely inside the cathedral. Macron was originally expected to deliver his speech outside the church.
"I'm afraid I'm going to faint when I get in because it's going to be so emotional," said choir member Cecilia De Vargas, who will take part in the opening ceremony.
"Despite the horrible event, there is a positive side to it, seeing how everyone, all the French people, have tried to rebuild the cathedral very quickly."
Thousands of skilled craftsmen - from carpenters and stone masons to stained glass artists - have worked around the clock over the past five years. They employed ancient methods to restore, repair, or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
"Notre Dame is more than just a Paris or French monument. Notre Dame is also a universal monument," said historian Damien Berne.
"Notre Dame is an anchor, a symbol, a reassuring reference in the evolving global world where everything is constantly changing," said Berne, a member of the scientific council for the restoration of Notre Dame.
The first stone of the cathedral was laid in 1163, and construction continued over the following centuries, with major restorations and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Victor Hugo also made the cathedral a symbol of Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Quasimodo, its main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, Disney animated adaptations, and musicals.
So much money poured in for renovations from around the world - over 840 million euros according to Macron's office - that there is still leftover funds for further investments in the building.
The Catholic Church now estimates the cathedral will welcome around 15 million visitors annually.
If you are lucky, you can visit on Sunday evening, December 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. However, initially there may be stiff competition - and long lines - to visit the cathedral.
The cathedral announced that starting Saturday, visitors can book free tickets online, on its website, social media, or through special apps, to enter the building on the same day or one or two days after the booking. There will also be on-site queues for those who wish to enter without a reservation.
The Notre Dame cathedral has also created an app to assist in self-guided tours. New tour groups will gain access next year - starting from February 1, 2025 for religious groups or from June 9, 2025 for tourist groups.
Editor's Choice: Notre-Dame Cathedral Devastated by Fire
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