The Notre Dame Fire: What We Know
Hey everyone. There has been a lot of news and misinformation about the fire at Notre Dame, and some things need to be made clear or put in context. While the damage is bad, some people are making out like the entire building is gone. Here is the information available now, so some of this might change as more details come out but here is what we know now
The fire is believed to be an accident, related to renovation
Notre Dame has gone through a lot of damage over the years and has been repaired and restored many times. The cathedral was heavily desecrated in the French Revolution and left in need of repair. An extensive renovation was done in the late 19th century, as well as repairs done in the 1940s-1950s, as a result of damage done during WWII
2/3 of the roof of the building is gone. While parts of it where the original 13th-century roof, much of it was from the 19th-century renovation. The actual stone arch under the roof appears fine, or at least has gotten minimal damage
The towers and facade of the building are largely ok or at least has gotten minimal damage. The cathedral is not gone as some people are exaggerating it as being
One of the three main stained glass rose windows have fallen out. Most of the other stained glass windows are okay.
Some of the worst damage is to the spire, which has collapsed. Again this was not the original 13th-century spire, but the one constructed in the 19th century. Luckily, the 16 statues on the spire were removed several days ago and are ok.
Of the relics and art in the cathedral, many are still being accounted for, but it is known that several of them, including the Crown of Thorns and the Tunic of St. Louis, are safe, were been taken from the building several days earlier.
The cathedral will likely need millions of Euro to repair, but already people across France, Europe, and the world are pledging their support. The biggest amount I’ve heard is by the French company Groupe Artemis, which stated they will donate 100 million euros to repairs. I have no doubt that the French government and other historical groups will spare no expense to fund the repairs
What has happened at Notre Dame is a tragedy, and it will likely take decades and millions of euros to repair, but the cathedral has almost been destroyed several times in its history, and it has endured and been rebuilt.
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