Notre-Dame de Paris
One of the earliest Gothic cathedrals
Construction of Notre Dame began in 1163. It is one of the earliest Gothic cathedrals in France, but still has some Romanesque details. Before the work was completed in 1345, some of the earlier parts were demolished and replaced by new High Gothic structures. The two towers on the west façade are 69 meters (226 ft) high, while the spire measures 96 meters (315 ft). The interior can hold up to 10,000 people.
Grotesques
The many sculptures of Notre Dame are particularly recognizable. The grotesque figures on the “Galerie des Chimères” were added to ward off demons and to warn the faithful against sinful behavior.
World history
During the French Revolution, the cathedral was severely damaged. Nevertheless, Napoleon Bonaparte had himself crowned emperor at Notre-Dame in 1804, and in 1805 Pope Pius VII made the cathedral the first minor basilica in France. In 1831, Notre Dame became world famous through the novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo, which has since been made into several films. Along with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited attractions in Paris. Located on the Île de la Cité, an island in the Seine River in the center of the French capital, Notre Dame was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 as part of Paris, Banks of the Seine.
Facts
- Location: Île de la Cité, Paris
- Dedicated to: Our Lady (Virgin Mary)
- Built: Between 1163 and 1345
- Architectural style: French Gothic
- Denomination: Roman Catholic
- Raised to the rank of basilica: 1805 (the first in France)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Paris, Banks of the Seine (1991)
Notre-Dame Folding Card
This unique souvenir note is dedicated to Notre-Dame de Paris. It is printed on genuine security paper and features a gold foil patch, UV color and haptic elements. While the obverse depicts the west facade, the famous chimera “Le Stryge,” and the rose window of the north transept, the reverse shows the north facade, the floor plan, the crown of thorns relic, and one of the cathedral’s flying buttresses. Under UV light, a portrait of Victor Hugo, the author of the world-famous novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” appears on the reverse of the note.
200 Francs
Obverse: West facade, chimera “Le Stryge,” rose window of the north transept, coat of arms of Paris, map of France
Reverse: North facade, floor plan, crown of thorns relic, flying buttress
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
