Notre-Dame De Paris or in the English version meaning "Our Lady", this referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Building Notre Dame took nearly 2 century, beginning construction in 1163 with the first stone being laid with Pope Alexander the third in attendance. Many changes to the cathedral came over the years, originally the gothic ideas that are presence in the modern day Notre-Dame where not present in the original designs. One of the main feature that brings millions of people to Notre-Dame is the windows, and they weren't going to be able to place such beautiful large windows in Notre-Dame to the innovation of gothic rib vault, in which intersecting stone ribs are used to brace the structure, this then allows for larger windows to be placed due to less space being needed in order to hold the roof. Notre-Dame took innovation to be built and each great achievement allowed for the Cathedral to be even more beautiful.
Even though Notre-Dame was a magnificent structure the French monarchy never took to much liking of it, most the newly crowned Kings were coronated in the Cathedral of Reims some 80 miles from Paris. Only one king has ever been crowned in Notre-Dame and it was King Henry the sixth of England, this was to extend great political control over the French in the hundred years war. Instead Notre-Dame became more of an urban icon that was in the everyday life of the people of Paris. Hosting the feast of fools, an old pagan tradition that placed one person as a mock pope that could lead the festivities for the day. Notre-Dame is also home to pieces of the crown of thrones, the crown that was placed on Jesus' head during the crucifixion. One of the most holy icons in the Catholic Church is held here.
Notre-Dame was seen as even an intellectual landmark, in the early 1100s the great philosopher Peter Abelard taught at Paris's cathedral school, an institution that predated Notre-Dame. The Cathedral grew in prominence as the school began to gain a better reputation. More students began to flock to the city of Paris to gain insight of all the new teachings of the 12th and 13th century philosophy. Notre-Dame is an icon that has been standing for over 800 years and will continue to do so, even as a fire had started in the ancient medieval cathedral, millions around the world helped out by giving their money to the people of Paris to repair an icon that has stood for so long. This shows the impact that something as simple as a building can have, even though no one has ever met the people who built it.
Fuentes, Jose Luís Corral. “An 800-Year History of Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral.” National Geographic, 18 Apr. 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2017/05-06/notre-dame-de-paris/#close.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2017/05-06/notre-dame-de-paris/#close
I also did one of the Notre Dame Cathedral’s, but mine was Notre Dame de Reims. I am very familiar with this architecture after doing my blog, but your point about the French Monarchy never really liking it. How can a structure that is so beautiful not be loved by all? Great job Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at how they mocked the pope and had pagan festivals.
ReplyDeleteI found this very interesting! I didn't know that it took nearly 2 centuries to build
ReplyDeleteTwo centuries of building could have been undone due to a single fire, that's so crazy to think about! The response from nations across the world shows that people still care about preserving ancient architecture and beauty. I am personally against making modern changes in order to preserve it's original beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post because you point out some facts that are lesser known about the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is very surprising that the same cathedral that holds pieces of Jesus's Crown of Thorns was the site of Christian mockery and festivity.
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