Why Notre Dame Cathedral is significant to world history
What's the story
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, a Gothic architectural masterpiece over 850 years old, will open its doors to the public on Saturday (local time) after a five-year-long restoration.
On Sunday, the first Catholic Mass will take place.
The cathedral had been extensively damaged in a fire in 2019 that razed its roof and spire.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the restoration efforts as healing a "national wound" and called the reopening a "shock of hope."
Historical backdrop
Notre Dame's historical significance and architectural grandeur
The cathedral was built from 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and took almost 200 years to complete.
It is famous for its Gothic architecture, including flying buttresses and beautiful rose windows depicting biblical stories.
Over the years, Notre Dame has witnessed historic events such as the coronation of Henry VI in 1431 and Napoleon Bonaparte crowning himself emperor in 1804.
History
Cathedral was once renamed the Temple of Reason
Among some of the historical events that took place there was the Festival of Reason on November 10, 1793. It was a revolutionary and anti-religious carnival that mocked Catholicism while suggesting the French celebrate Enlightenment values instead.
After the church was looted, it was transformed into a bustling public gathering where an actress depicting the "Goddess of Reason" was worshiped atop a mountain.
Statues of Liberty replaced religious statues, and the cathedral was renamed "Temple of Reason."
Catholicism
It was restored to its glory in mid-nineteenth century
Following the Reign of Terror, a period in the French Revolution during which many persons were ruthlessly executed, Catholicism gradually regained acceptance.
By then, many French clerics had been run out of the country, and most of France's churches were either closed or transformed for other purposes.
Despite its ruin, Notre Dame maintained its strong symbolism. After the revolution, it recovered from the pillage.
In 1804, Bonaparte crowned himself emperor.
It was restored to its glory in the mid-nineteenth century.
Global attendance
World leaders attend Notre Dame's reopening ceremonies
Then, in 2019, the 860-year-old cathedral's roof collapsed, strewing soot across the stone floor below.
The cause of the 2019 fire remains unclear, with authorities suspecting an electrical fault or burning cigarette.
The restoration involved around 250 companies and cost nearly €700 million.
The reopening ceremonies will be attended by world leaders and dignitaries, including America's first lady Jill Biden, Britain's Prince William, and Donald Trump.