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)
