Marking a milestone in the revival of Notre Dame Cathedral, the scaffolding surrounding the Paris attraction was removed on Tuesday.
The scaffolding of the medieval Catholic cathedral was recently demolished, revealing for the first time the cathedral’s new tower, which is decorated with a golden rooster and a cross.
A resident near the cathedral, Frederico Benani, told the Associated Press that he was emotional when he saw the new tower.
“I can open the window in the morning. I saw Notre Dame. I saw the tower — it was for me, beautiful, and it was much better (than) before,” Benani said. “It gives us hope.”
The iconic structure was destroyed by fire in April 2019, leaving it badly damaged.
The new tower is the latest milestone in the restoration of the cathedral’s former glory.
A view of the spire from Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is seen, as restoration work continues in Paris, France, February 13, 2024. REUTERS Scaffolding is being moved around the spire of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, showing the rooster and cross, on February 12 2024 in Paris. AP The construction site of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is shown on February 12, 2024, with its backsplash, in Paris. AFP via Getty Images
As a symbol of perseverance and renewal, a new golden rooster, reimagined as a phoenix with flaming feathers, was installed atop the spire in December, marking the cathedral’s rise from the ashes.
Other restoration efforts include the implementation of an anti-fire sprinkler system under the cathedral’s roof and a recreation of the original cross.
Notre Dame is on track in its renovation process and is expected to reopen in December 2024.
The tower collapsed as smoke and flames engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. AFP/Getty Images
The cathedral will not be open to the public during the Paris Olympics in July and August, when the city will host millions for the Summer Games.
Much of the cathedral is still surrounded by scaffolding, which may take weeks if not months to remove.
The tower alone, cathedral officials say, is protected by some 70,000 pieces of scaffolding, totaling a staggering 600 tons.
A general view of the massive fire at the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is seen. Best Image / BACKGRID
The restoration of the crippled monument, once a major tourist attraction, took place after a devastating fire caused the building’s main tower to collapse.
French President Emmanuel Macron set a five-year target – which is when France is set to host the 2024 Summer Olympics – to complete the restoration of Notre Dame.
The estimated cost of repairs is around $1.13 billion to $2.3 billion.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
