PARIS, France — The majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral stands proudly on the Île de la Cité, its gothic spire and twin towers rising above the Seine River. The iconic medieval structure, with its intricate façade and flying buttresses, dominates the Parisian skyline before the devastating fire of 2019.
Photograph by David Coleman. Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the world's most famous and beloved cathedrals, stands as a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture on the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris. This image captures the cathedral in its pre-fire glory, showcasing the intricate details and grand scale that made it an icon of both religious and architectural significance. Construction of Notre-Dame began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though modifications continued for centuries afterward. The cathedral's design exemplifies the French Gothic style, characterized by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, large rose windows, and perhaps most distinctively, its external flying buttresses which allowed for higher, thinner walls and larger windows. The western façade, one of the most recognizable aspects of Notre-Dame, features two 69-meter (226 feet) tall towers flanking a central rose window. The intricate stonework includes numerous sculptures depicting biblical figures and scenes, as well as the famous chimeras and gargoyles that adorn the upper levels and serve as decorative water spouts. The cathedral's spire, rising 96 meters (315 feet) above the ground, was a 19th-century addition designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during a major restoration project. This spire, along with much of the roof, was tragically lost in the fire of April 15, 2019. Notre-Dame's interior, spanning 130 meters (427 feet) in length, 48 meters (157 feet) in width, and 35 meters (115 feet) in height, could accommodate up to 9,000 worshipers. The interior was noted for its three spectacular rose windows, dating from the 13th century, which miraculously survived the 2019 fire. Over its 850-year history, Notre-Dame has been the site of numerous significant events in French history. It was here that Napoleon crowned himself Emperor in 1804, where the Te Deum mass took place to celebrate the Liberation of Paris in 1944, and where countless state funerals,
Size: 3275px × 5123px
Location: Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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