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Knowledge Nugget: Notre-Dame Cathedral
subject: History and Architecture
(Relevance: Architecture is an important part of UPSC CSE Art and Culture syllabus. The Commission had earlier asked questions about various historical heritages and their architecture. (Additionally, need to know about locations in the news.)
Why in the news?
Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of France’s most iconic landmarks, reopened on Saturday, December 7, after five years of meticulous restoration following a devastating fire in 2019. The re-opening ceremony began after Archbishop Laurent Ulrich struck the cathedral door with his crozier. Hymns sung inside. Notre Dame is expected to attract 15 million visitors annually.
Key takeaways:
1. Notre Dame Cathedral has played a significant role in shaping history, from protecting holy relics in the 13th century to becoming the “Temple of Reason” during the French Revolution. It stands as a powerful symbol of French identity.
2. On 15 April 2019, flames engulfed Notre Dame, causing its roof to collapse and the stone floor to collapse. While the cause remains unclear, investigators have suggested that it was likely an accident, possibly caused by a lit cigarette or an electrical fault.
3. Now, the cathedral’s spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, and gargoyles have been restored to their former glory, while its white stone and gold decorations now shine. Thousands of artisans worked on the reconstructionUsing traditional techniques to preserve its historical integrity.
4. History of the Cathedral: It is believed that Notre-Dame was built on the site where a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter once stood. After the establishment of Christianity in France, four other churches were built successively on the same site, before Notre-Dame was built in 1160 under the leadership of the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully. It was largely completed by 1260.
5. Soon it became a religious focal point, attracting pilgrims eager to see the crown of thorns, believed to be worn by Jesus Christ. During the French Revolution, its spiritual significance took a dramatic turn, as it was rebuilt into the “Temple of Reason” and later the “Temple of the Supreme”.
When Napoleon Bonaparte became the new ruler of France in 1801, Notre-Dame was chosen as the site of his coronation and he promised to restore it. (Wikimedia Commons)
6. Architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral: Notre-Dame Cathedral is of great importance in the history of art and architecture in France. By the 12th century, Gothic architecture France had already dominated, and Notre-Dame remains one of its finest examples, with soaring spires, intricate stained glass windows, and impressive flying buttresses.
The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is seen as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interior of the cathedral on November 29, 2024 in Paris. (Stephen de Sakutin, Pool via AP)
7. However, the structure, as it exists today, is the result of centuries of additions and modifications that reflect evolving artistic styles and the socio-political environment of different periods. For example, in the mid-13th century, the transepts were rebuilt to align with the Reunion style of Gothic architecture, which was popular at the time. Further changes took place in the 16th century to match the classical style of the era.
bEYOND THE NUGGET: Gothic Architecture
1. Gothic architecture is an architectural style in Europe that existed from the mid-12th century to the 16th century. It is particularly defined by masonry buildings with cavernous spaces and walls decorated with intricate tracery.
2. Significantly, during the 12th and 13th centuries, advances in engineering enabled the construction of increasingly large buildings. Rib vaults, flying buttresses, and pointed Gothic arches were innovative solutions that allowed the creation of tall structures while maximizing natural light.
3. Key features of Gothic architecture include the pointed Gothic arch, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and stained-glass windows. Additionally, gargoyles and grotesques were common, with an emphasis on light and tall, slender towers.
4. Prominent examples of Gothic architecture include: Chartres Cathedral in France, Westminster Abbey in London, Cathedral Church in Milan.
(Sources: Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens after five years, Notre-Dame – an architectural marvel and the most important witness of French history)
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