Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (Notre Dame Cathedral) is a legend of Paris. Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (Notre-Dame Cathedral) What is the name of the main bell of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral) is one of the most popular attractions in the French capital. He is known primarily for the work of the same name by Victor Hugo. This man was a true patriot of his native country and with his work he tried to rekindle the love for the cathedral among his compatriots. I must say, he succeeded quite well. After all, there was no longer any doubt about the French love for this building: during the French Revolution, the townspeople resignedly paid bribes to Robespierre, who otherwise threatened to destroy the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. We invite you to learn more about this Parisian landmark, the history of its creation and how it can surprise tourists today.

Notre-Dame de Paris (France) - the architectural inspiration of an entire nation

This structure was erected at a time when the majority of the country's inhabitants were uneducated people who passed on the history of religion exclusively by word of mouth. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, built in the Gothic style, houses paintings, frescoes, portals and stained glass windows depicting biblical episodes and events within its walls. By analogy with other Gothic buildings, you will not find wall paintings here. They are replaced by a large number of tall stained glass windows, acting as the only source of color and light inside the building. Until now, visitors to Notre-Dame de Paris, whose photo adorns almost every tourist guide to France, note that passing through the colored glass mosaic gives the building mystery and inspires sacred awe.

Some people know this attraction by hearsay, others remember it from the novel by the unforgettable Hugo, and for others it is associated with a popular musical. One way or another, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is an amazing place with a rich history. If you are planning, do not deprive yourself of the pleasure of visiting this attraction.

History of the foundation of the cathedral

Construction of this structure began in 1163. The interior decoration was completed only a century and a half later - in 1315. In 1182, the main altar of this church building was consecrated. The construction work itself was completed by 1196. Only the interior finishing took a very long time. The Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral was erected on the Ile de la Cité, considered the heart of the French capital. The main architects of this monumental structure, whose height is 35 meters (the bell tower of the cathedral rises 70 meters), were Pierre de Montreuil and Jean de Chelles.

The long construction period also affected the appearance of the building, since over the course of a century and a half, Norman and Gothic styles were mixed, making the image of the cathedral truly unique. One of the most noticeable parts of this structure is the six-ton ​​bell located in the right tower. For many centuries, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris served as the site of royal weddings, coronations and funerals.

XVII-XVIII centuries

This majestic structure underwent great trials in the last decades of the seventeenth century. During this period, marked by the reign of King Louis XIV, the most beautiful stained glass windows in the Cathedral were destroyed and graves were destroyed. During the French Revolution, Parisians were warned that this magnificent structure would be razed to the ground. However, they have the opportunity to prevent this if they regularly pay a certain amount of money for the needs of the revolutionaries. Rarely did a Parisian refuse to comply with this ultimatum. Thanks to this, the cathedral was literally saved by the local population.

Cathedral in the 19th century

During the reign of Napoleon in 1802, Notre Dame Cathedral was rededicated. And four decades later, its restoration began. During it, the building itself was restored, broken statues and sculptures were replaced, and a spire was built. Restoration work lasted just under 25 years. After their completion, it was decided to demolish all the buildings adjacent to the Cathedral, thanks to which a magnificent square was formed.

What should you pay attention to today when visiting Notre Dame Cathedral?

In addition to its majestic appearance, the cathedral can offer visitors a lot of interesting things hidden within its walls. So, it is here that one of those nails with the help of which Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross has been kept since ancient times. The famous bas-relief of the alchemist of Notre Dame is also located here.

If you come to the cathedral on Sunday, you can hear organ music. And the organ located here is the largest in all of France. In all, believers are given the opportunity to bow before such shrines of the cathedral, like a piece of the Holy Cross with a nail preserved in it.

Do not deny yourself the opportunity to admire the surroundings from the observation deck located on the south tower of the cathedral. However, keep in mind that to climb it you will have to climb 402 steps. In addition, do not miss the bronze star located in the square in front of the cathedral. It marks the zero kilometer, and it is from it that all French roads have been counted since the 17th century.

Make a wish

It is safe to say that visiting Notre Dame is a very significant event for any person. This is probably why, from time immemorial, there has been a belief here that if you leave a note with your wish at the gates of the cathedral, it will certainly come true.

How to get to the cathedral

As we have already mentioned, Notre Dame is located in the eastern part of Paris. You can get here both by metro and by bus. If you decide to take the subway, you need to take line 4 and get off at Cite or Saint-Michel station. If you plan to travel by bus, then use one of the following routes: 21, 38, 47 or 85.

Cathedral opening hours

The main hall of Notre Dame is open every day from 6:45 to 19:45. However, keep in mind that from time to time the flow of visitors is “slowed down” by local ministers. This is done so as not to interfere with ongoing masses.

If you are planning to visit the cathedral towers, please note the following information:

In July and August they are open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 to 19:30, and on weekends from 9:00 to 23:00;

From April to June, as well as in September, the towers can be visited from 9:30 to 19:30 every day;

From October to March they are only open to the public from 10:00 to 17:30.

Experienced tourists recommend coming to the cathedral from October to March. During this period, it is not so crowded, and you can enjoy the relative silence and explore this attraction in a relaxed atmosphere. Also, if you get the chance, come here at sunset. At this time, you will be able to enjoy the magnificent picture represented by the play of light passing inside the cathedral through multi-colored fancy stained glass windows.

Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral: cost of admission

Entrance to the main hall of the cathedral is free. Please note that all year round there is a tour in Russian every Wednesday at 2 pm, as well as every Saturday at 2:30 pm. It's also free.

Near the cathedral there is a small building where the temple treasury is located. Various antique items made of precious metals are stored here, as well as the clothes of clergy. The main exhibit is the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, as well as a piece of the Holy Cross with a preserved nail. To enter the treasury, adults will have to pay three euros, schoolchildren and students two euros, and children from 6 to 12 years old - 1 euro.

If you want to climb the cathedral tower, then adult visitors will have to pay 8.5 euros, students - 5.5 euros. For persons under eighteen years of age, admission is free.

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the world, an outstanding architectural monument, sung by poets, writers, and artists.

The slender mass of the Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité is visible from afar. When the Roman Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity at the beginning of the 4th century, the Church of St. Stephen appeared here on the site of a former pagan temple. In the middle of the 12th century it could no longer accommodate believers. Under King Louis VII the Young and Bishop Maurice de Sully, a decision was made to build a grandiose cathedral.

The first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III. This was the time of the appearance in Europe of a new, heaven-oriented architectural style - Gothic, and the cathedral became its embodiment.

Construction lasted from 1163 to 1345. The choirs and naves were built first, the facade began in 1208, and two huge facade towers were completed in 1250. As the cathedral grew, dangerous stresses in the load-bearing walls became apparent; in the 14th century, huge flying buttresses were erected around the nave and choir, giving the building an unusual appearance. Alterations continued for centuries: in 1699, by order of Louis XIV, the choir was rebuilt, the cross partition was replaced with lace, forged from iron.

The cathedral that grew up in the center of Paris was huge: 128 meters long, 48 meters wide. It can accommodate 9 thousand worshipers. The towers rise to a height of 69 meters, the spire - to 90 meters. The building is decorated with huge rose windows with a diameter of 13 meters. The portals are lavishly decorated with sculptural compositions. The central one, on the western facade, depicts the Last Judgment: the dead rise from their graves, Archangel Michael weighs souls, Satan tries to stop him. On the western side there is a portal dedicated to the Virgin Mary, her death and Assumption. The compositions of the southern side are dedicated to St. Stephen, the northern - to the childhood of Jesus. You can look at them for hours. The cathedral is also famous for the chimeras and gargoyles looking down on Paris. Gargoyles have a prosaic purpose: they serve as drains for rainwater.

The interior is famous for its stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve. In the nave chapels there are thirteen magnificent paintings of the 17th-18th centuries, dedicated to the acts of the holy apostles. The statue of the Madonna and Child in the south-eastern part of the transept is from the mid-14th century.

In the 16th century, this splendor was destroyed by the Huguenots; the French Revolution in the 18th century turned the plundered cathedral into a temple of Reason, and then into a warehouse. The church was re-consecrated in 1802; Napoleon was crowned here. However, the building was deteriorating, and there was talk of demolishing it. In 1831, Victor Hugo published the novel Notre-Dame de Paris, which attracted general attention to the fate of the temple. Tourists flocked here, and in 1845 the restoration of the cathedral began.

Notre-Dame de Paris is the very history of France: the first French parliament was opened here, kings were crowned and married, Joan of Arc was rehabilitated. On the Day of Liberation, de Gaulle prayed here, and here the nation saw off the great Frenchman on his last journey. Since the end of the 12th century, the cathedral's bells have been ringing over Paris - on happy, sad and most ordinary days.

On a note

• Location: 6, Place du Parvis Notre Dame, Paris.
• Nearest metro stations: "Cité", "Saint-Michel", "Hôtel de Ville", "Châtelet".
• Official website: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08.00-18.45; Saturday and Sunday 8.00-19.15. Visiting the treasury and towers is on weekdays from 9.30 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 9.30 to 23.00, and on the last day of the week from 13.30 to 23.00. From October to March, tourists are allowed to visit the towers from 10.00 to 17.30.
• Tickets: visiting the cathedral is free. Tickets to the tower: adults - 9 euros, youth 18-25 years old - 5 euros, children under 18 years old - free. Tickets to the treasury: adults - 3 euros, youth 18-25 years old - 2 euros, children under 18 years old - 1 euro.

A tragedy for all of France. As a result of the fire, the spire, clock and roof of the building collapsed. Firefighters managed to save both bell towers of the cathedral; the flames did not affect the main shrines: the crown of thorns, the tunic of St. Louis; Several paintings were saved. According to firefighters, the source of the fire was scaffolding erected in the attic of the cathedral. Let us remind you that restoration work began in the spring of this year, it was planned to complete the work by 2022. The fire started at 18:50 local time on April 15; as of April 16, the fire was extinguished. One firefighter was injured during the rescue operation.

Results of the fire

The President of France arrived at the scene with his wife, who promised to completely restore the relic, with the assistance of “the best talents of our time.” There is hope for a complete restoration, since the cathedral has been thoroughly studied and ancient drawings have been preserved.

According to preliminary estimates, the damage will cost hundreds of millions of euros. Today, the Heritage Foundation announced the start of a national fundraising campaign for the restoration of the cathedral; according to the latest data, 240 people donated more than 6 thousand euros to the Foundation.

According to preliminary estimates, restoration of the building may take at least 10 years.

At the moment, all residents have been evacuated from the Ile de la Cité; for safety reasons, navigation along the Seine in the vicinity of the island is prohibited.

The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating into unintentional damage caused by the fire.

Notre Dame Cathedral - Notre-Dame de Paris

Each country has objects - associations. In Paris, in my opinion, there are two of them - and Notre Dame Cathedral. To visit Paris and not see (at least!) these two masterpieces of architectural thought is a real crime.

More than 14 million tourists annually visit this place, which holds unsolved secrets and mystical revelations.

A place of “incredible power”—that’s what Parisian guides call the cathedral when they introduce people to its history and architecture. And legends add a mystical spirit to the object.

Photos of the cathedral

• Notre-Dame is built on the site where four different churches stood in ancient times: the Christian Parish, the Merovingian Basilica, the Carolingian Temple and the Romanesque Cathedral. By the way, it was the ruins of the last cathedral that served as the foundation for the current one.
• Construction lasted 182 years (1163-1345). After 19 years of construction work, the main altar appeared, which was immediately consecrated; after another 14 years, construction of the nave was completed. Then construction continued on the territory of the central (western) facade, which is richly decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs.
• The western facade and two towers took 45 years to build (1200-1245). The different heights of the towers are explained by the fact that many architects worked on the construction, who mixed two styles - Romanesque and Gothic.
• In the summer of 1239, King Louis IX brought the main shrine and relic into the temple - the Crown of Thorns.
• The gargoyles on top of Notre Dame Cathedral were previously used as drainpipes - now they are one of the decorations of the building.
• Instead of the usual wall paintings depicting saints, there are tall stained glass windows, which are both a decoration of the cathedral and a source of light. Stained glass windows separated the rooms, since at the end of construction there was not a single wall in the cathedral. Instead of walls there were columns and arches.
• After completion of construction, the cathedral was the main spiritual center of France - royal weddings, coronations, funerals and other important events on a national scale were held here. Despite the important role of the cathedral in the life of the country, its walls also welcomed commoners who received assistance.
• The rich people trusted the walls of the cathedral and brought all their treasures for safekeeping. It was in this way that a treasury was formed within the walls of the temple.
• During the French Revolution, the Jacobins wanted to destroy the cathedral, but the residents managed to save it - they collected money in support of the rebels and transferred it to the new government. Despite the agreement, the revolutionaries did not fully keep their promise - bells were melted into cannons, tombstones into bullets, sculptures of Jewish kings were beheaded. The cathedral building was used as a wine warehouse - it was during this period that Notre Dame lost its significance. The Catholic church was returned to the clergy only in 1802.
• Thanks to Victor Hugo’s famous novel “Notre Dame de Paris” (1831), where the writer set out to awaken people’s love for French architecture, restoration of the cathedral began in 1841. The famous gallery of chimeras appeared on the upper platform in front of the towers. The sculptors created images of mythical creatures that embodied the character of man and the diversity of his moods. The restoration lasted 23 years, during which the restorers were able to replace all the broken sculptures, erect a high spire, and restore stained glass windows. The buildings that were adjacent to the cathedral were removed, thanks to which a square appeared in front of the main entrance.
• In 2013, in honor of the 850th anniversary of the cathedral, new bells were cast, in the amount of 9 units. The largest church organ in France, which appeared here at the beginning of the 15th century, was also reconstructed. Now the instrument is fully computerized, and the body is made in the style of Louis XVI.
• Today Notre-Dame de Paris is a functioning church: services are constantly held here, during which modern video effects are used. Every day at 8:00 and 19:00 you can hear the ringing of bells.
• Along with believers, tourists are also allowed into the cathedral. All visitors have a unique opportunity to examine sacred relics, as well as valuable things that have accumulated in the cathedral over its long history.

• (price: 37.00 €, 3 hours)
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• (price: 17.00 €, 1 hour)

Attractions

Here you will find more detailed information about the cathedral objects. This information will be useful for general information.

Apse – Chevet

From the Quai de Tournelle you can see the apse with its supporting arches and gray-green vault. It is located in the eastern part, symbolizing the sunrise of the Resurrection.

Traditionally, the apse side serves to collect internal rhythmic flows and the highest divine energy of the cosmos.

Thanks to the special design, the impression of the presence of God among people is created. After the restoration of the cathedral, the arches were replaced according to the design of Jean Ravi. Today the size of the arches reaches 15 meters.

From the south side you can see what the cathedral looked like in the 19th century. Previously, there was an archbishop's palace here, which was demolished along with the treasury and sacristy during the riots of 1831. They decided not to restore the palace.

Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher - Chapelle des Chevaliers du Saint-Sépulcre

At the heart of the cathedral is the Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, which was officially opened on March 6, 2009. The ceremony was led by Monsignor Tual, Patriarch of Latin from Jerusalem. The restoration of the chapel took place in accordance with the wishes of Cardinal Lustige and his successor, Cardinal Ven-Troyes.

Within these walls, in a modern red glass reliquary, lies the most precious treasure - the crown of thorns of Christ, wrapped in a purple robe. The sacred crown is a bundle of woven thorny branches without thorns, which in ancient times were taken to various temples and monasteries, with additionally woven into it several branches of the aromatic jujube plant.

It is enclosed in a crystal ring with a gold frame. It is impossible to say with certainty that the crown of Christ is genuine, but the first mentions of it are documented in the 4th century.

Most of the time, the holy crown is kept in a special storage room and is not displayed. For the worship of believers, it is solemnly taken out every Friday during Lent and on Good Friday. The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher take part in the ceremony.

Behind the reliquary on the altar is a statue of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, who holds in her hands the nails and crown that wounded the feet, hands and head of her son.

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament - Chapelle du Saint-Sacrement

Next to the Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, in the axis of the nave, there is another unusual chapel. It is called the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and is dedicated to the mother of Jesus Christ, which is often found in churches from the era of Michelangelo.

Its construction began in 1296 on the initiative of the Bishop of Paris, Simon Mathias de Boucher. This chapel is also known as Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. It serves for meditation and sacred prayers of the sacred sacrament.

On the right wall you can see an ancient fresco from the 14th century, which depicts a girl receiving her soul in the presence of Saint Denis and Saint Nicaise, the patron saint of the chapel.

On the altar of the chapel, crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Gifts, that is, the bread that has become the body of Christ, are displayed throughout the day, symbolizing the presence of God himself. Adoration or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is widespread in the traditions of the Catholic Church. People come here alone or in groups in order to silently contemplate God, just be in front of him, mentally talk to him in peace and quiet, detached from the everyday bustle.

Pietà

In the depths of the temple, in the most prominent place of the central nave, there is an altar. Behind it, at a short distance, appears the famous “Pieta” - a sculptural composition created by Nicolas Coustou. At its foot there is a carved plinth made by Francois Girardon.

In the center is the Virgin Mary holding her dead son, who has just been taken down from the cross. The Mother of God’s gaze is turned not to the lifeless body of Jesus, but to heaven. Her face expresses sorrow and, at the same time, hope for the resurrection of Christ, promised to her from above. On either side of the Virgin Mary are statues of two monarchs: the right one is Louis XIII (sculptor Nicolas Coustou) and the left one is Louis XIV (sculptor Antoine Coyzevox).

At the same time, King Louis XIII seemed to offer the mother of Christ his crown and scepter, and his son Louis XIV bowed in prayer. This unusual ensemble is surrounded by six bronze angels holding in their hands the symbols of the Passion of Christ: a crown of thorns, nails, a sponge with vinegar, a scourge, a pike and the sign INRI (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).

The background to the appearance of the statues also deserves attention. Passionately wishing for the long-awaited birth of his future heir, Louis XIII vowed to embellish the altar and the Pietà if God would send him a son. His dream came true in 1638 with the birth of Louis XIV, but 5 years later the king died without fully fulfilling his promise. His successor managed to implement his father’s will only 60 years later, when, as a result of large-scale reconstruction, the Gothic style was replaced by Baroque.

Outpatient clinic – Déambulatoire

In church terminology, the “ambulatory” is the semicircular circumambulation along the altar apse, which is the end of the central nave. It looks like a continuation of the side naves, smoothly turning into each other.

In Notre Dame Cathedral, the double ambulatory is divided by a colonnade and has access to the outer apse chapels (chapels). There are five of them in total, and they radiate around the altar ledge, forming a “crown of chapels”. All of them are dedicated to different saints and are decorated with beautiful sculptures and stained glass windows, which are real works of art. They also contain mausoleums, tombs and funerary monuments of many prominent religious figures and other famous personalities. For example, near the eastern wall of the initial apse chapel dedicated to Saint Guillaume (William), there is a mausoleum of Count Henri Claude d'Harcourt (1704-1769), who served as a lieutenant general in the royal army. The sculptural composition depicts the late count, who, having heard the cry of his kneeling wife at his coffin, rises and, freed from the shroud, stretches out his hands to his devoted wife.

But behind the back of the deceased stands Death himself with an hourglass in his hand, showing the Countess that her time has come. The entire image of the Countess expresses a passionate desire to immediately reunite with her beloved husband.

This architectural ensemble was built at the end of the 13th – beginning of the 14th centuries. During a full-scale restoration led in the 19th century by the famous Parisian architect Eugene Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, the entire ambulatory was decorated using original wall paintings, recreated with amazing historical accuracy. That is why there is an unusually inspired and enthusiastic atmosphere here.

Altar – Choeur

In the middle of the central nave there is an unusual medieval altar. On both sides of it are carved scenes imprinted in stone, called the altar barrier. It appeared in the cathedral in the 14th century, when a master, presumably Jean Ravi, carved an elegant partition from stone that isolated the choir from the nave. Scenes from the Gospel are sequentially depicted on the barrier in sculptural execution. All paintings are made in polychrome tones. In the middle of the 19th century, restoration work was also carried out here under the leadership of Viollet-le-Duc, and then the color scheme was updated.

Behind the altar, on a considerable elevation, are long lancet windows lined with 19th-century stained glass, replacing the original lost 13th-century mosaics.

The reconstruction of the choirs was conceived under Louis XIII, as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, who gave France the long-awaited heir to Louis XIV in 1638. Since this period, every year on August 15th on the Assumption - the main church holiday dedicated to Mary - a procession of the cross solemnly floats through the streets of Paris, as a reminder of the “royal vow”. Five years after the birth of his son, Louis XIII, on his deathbed, bequeathed to his successor to complete all renovations of the altar.

Restoration work was completed in 1723. It took three quarters of a century. The upper rows were then crowned with wooden sculptures that depicted scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.

Northern part of the barrier – Clôture du choeur nord

The altar barrier, created at the end of the 13th century, covers 14 scenes from the Bible, visually telling about the birth and life of Jesus Christ, with the exception of the tragic events that happened after the Last Supper - the imprisonment, trial, scourging and crucifixion of Christ. Biblical scenes are depicted sequentially.

The storyline begins with the immaculate Virgin Mary meeting the righteous Elizabeth, then the Nativity of Christ follows and the good news to the shepherds, the wise men present their gifts. Next, the killing of infants and flight to Egypt is depicted.

Scenes from the life of Christ were selected, such as the meeting of the baby Jesus with the wise old man Simeon in the temple of Jerusalem, the story of how the young Jesus was in the temple among the wise men and among the teachers of the Jews, the Baptism and the wedding in Cana of Galilee. The final episodes are the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples' feet in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Three masters worked on these sculptural compositions for half a century - Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravi and Jean Le Bouteiler. Most of the scenes have a reliable time sequence, verified according to the four Gospels. The color scheme of the altar screen was updated during the restoration of the 19th century.

Southern part of the barrier – Clôture du choeur sud

The altar barrier dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. It is composed of nine biblical scenes describing the appearances of Jesus Christ after the Resurrection from the dead. Each biblical story on the south side is clearly separated from the next one by a vertical line.

• Meeting of Christ and Mary Magdalene.
• The appearance of Christ to the myrrh-bearing women.
• Meeting of Christ with the apostles John and Peter.
• Meeting of Christ with his disciples on the road to Emmaus.
• The appearance of Christ to the eleven apostles at the evening.
• The appearance of Christ to the Apostle Thomas.

• Meeting of Christ with his disciples on Lake Tiberias.
• The appearance of Christ to the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee.
• The meeting of Christ with the apostles in Jerusalem is the last phenomenon that ended with the ascension of Christ into heaven.

From 1300 to 1350, Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravi and Jean Le Bouteiler worked on the creation of this unique sculptural group. The color scheme was subsequently updated by the restorers of Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.

Treasury - Trésor

The temple treasury is located in a small building - an annex. There is an interesting collection of ancient gold and silver items, church utensils, priests' clothes, ancient manuscripts and other sacred relics from the 13th to the 21st centuries. But of particular value are the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ and the Palatine Cross-reliquary, where a nail is kept under glass in the lower part, and seven particles of the Life-giving Cross are kept in the upper part. A golden tablet in Greek states that these relics originally belonged to the 12th century Byzantine emperor Michael Comnenus.

Some treasures are brought out for display to the public on the first Friday of each month, every Friday of Lent, and Holy Week.

The collection of relics from Notre Dame Cathedral began to be collected from its very inception, and by the end of the 18th century the temple treasury was considered one of the most magnificent in Europe. During the French Revolution, some of the treasures were looted, but with the dawn of the Concordat, the collection was again restored and replenished with relics from the Sainte-Chapelle treasury.

Once again the vault was damaged during the riots of 1830 and 1831, and was restored in the middle of the 19th century according to the design of Viollet-le-Duc. But, despite all the difficulties, the treasury retained its original purpose for storing valuable items used in the liturgy.

Red door – Porte Rouge

This modest doorway on the north side of the choir is called the "Red Door" due to the bright color of its doors. It was erected under the direction of the architect Pierre de Montreuil in the second half of the 13th century and was used as a direct passage between the monastery and the cathedral. The red door connected the monastery, where the canons and choristers lived, with Notre Dame de Paris. In 2012, these gates were restored at the initiative of the Society for the Preservation of Historical Monuments of Ile-de-France.

On the tympanum above the door there is a scene of Christ blessing the Virgin Mary, while an angel places the royal crown on her head. The upper part depicts Saint-Marcel, Bishop of Paris in the 5th century. His remains are considered one of the most precious relics of the cathedral and rest on top of the cathedral choir in full view of all parishioners.

On the left side above the doorway there is a sculptural panel depicting how the bishop conducts the ceremony of baptism and holy communion - two of the most important sacraments for Christians of all denominations. On the right side, he sits in the pulpit, preaching. His face expresses spiritual triumph over the devil.

Statue of Notre Dame of Paris – Vierge à l’Enfant “Notre Dame de Paris”

At the southeast pillar of the transept or cross nave, to the right of the high altar, can be seen a statue of the Virgin Mary holding a child in her arms. She is called Notre Dame of Paris. The statue was brought in the 19th century from the chapel of Saint-Aignan on the Ile de la Cité.

This is the most famous and revered sculpture of the Virgin Mary of the 27 similar statues presented in Notre Dame. The period of its creation dates back to the 14th century. Installed in 1855 in place of the ancient sculpture of the miraculous Black Virgin, who disappeared without a trace during the revolution.

A bluish light emanates from the sculpture, and a large number of white lilies with which the Virgin Mary is decorated emit an amazing aroma. All this is arranged as a sign of deepest worship.

Transept

In church architecture, a “transept” is a transverse nave in churches built in the shape of a cross or basilica, which intersects the central longitudinal nave at a right angle. The extreme boundaries of the transept form apses that extend beyond the main part of the building; the transept protrudes by 2 meters. They coincide in height with the main nave, but the transept differs in that it consists of four tiers.

The transept was built by 1258. Important landmarks here include the south and north stained glass rose windows, the statue of Our Lady and Child, St. Stephen's Portal, the Red Gate Portal, and the main altar. In one of the branches of the transept you can admire two female figures of the patron saints of France - St. Joan of Arc and St. Therese, the patroness of the baby Jesus, as well as a statue of St. Dionysius by Nicolas Coustou. Many statues were recreated already in the 19th century.

Near the statue of the Virgin Mary there is a sign that informs that the famous trial that acquitted Joan of Arc took place in this cathedral. A small bronze plate in the floor informs that the famous poet Paul Claudel converted to the Catholic faith here in 1886.

South rose window – Rose sud

On the south facade of the transept there is a huge stained glass window in the shape of a rose, the diameter of which is 13 meters. It was originally installed back in the 13th century. Some of the stained glass has survived to this day in its original form, the remaining parts were replaced during restoration work carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The rosette itself consists of 84 stained glass fragments, which are laid out in the shape of four circles: 24 medallions, 12 medallions, 4-lobe and 3-lobe panels. It is known that during the reconstruction, which took place in the 19th century, Viollet-le-Duc turned the southern rosette by 15 degrees in order to secure it on a strong vertical axis. For this reason, many fragments are not in their original places, and now it is not easy to determine which area of ​​the window was originally occupied by this or that scene.

The stained glass rose depicts Jesus Christ surrounded by the apostles and other saints, martyrs and wise virgins revered in France.

In the fourth circle, twenty angels are drawn on different fragments holding wreaths, candles and censers in their hands, and events from the New and Old Testaments are also depicted.

The third circle invites us to get acquainted with nine scenes from the life of St. Matthew, which date back to the last quarter of the 12th century and are perfectly preserved to this day.

In the central medallion, the original stained glass fragment was not preserved, so Viollet-le-Duc replaced it with an image of the second coming of Christ: a sword was placed in the mouth of the Savior, symbolizing the Word of God, which is intended to separate truth from lies. At the feet of Christ lies the Book of Life, and around him are the symbols of the four evangelists: angel, eagle, lion, calf.

The two lower corner elements tell the story of the descent into Hell and the resurrection of Christ.

The rose rests on a peculiar belt of 16 lancet stained glass windows, together with which the total height of the stained glass window reaches 19 meters. These narrow plates depict prophets. It was created in 1861 by the artist Alfred Gerent under the direction of Viollet-le-Duc.

Portal of Saint Stephen - Portail Saint-Etienne

On the south side of the transept, facing the embankment of the Seine River towards the Latin Quarter, there is a portal that was consecrated in the name of the martyr St. Stephen. It was built in the 13th century by architects Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil. In the past, this passage led to the residence of the bishop, successor of the holy martyr Denis.

The main decoration of the portal is the tympanum, on which episodes from the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen are depicted in stone, as well as scenes from the life of students at the University of Paris. Saint Stephen was the patron of the first Paris cathedral.

Looking at the sculptural composition from right to left and up, you can see how Saint Stephen preached before the Jewish authorities and people, and subsequently stood trial, was stoned, buried and blessed by Christ. Noteworthy is the scene in which two clergymen carry a prayer book and blessed water after the traditional service. This serves as proof that the same holy traditions have been followed over time.

North rose window – Rose nord

On the left side of the main altar on the northern facade of the transept there is a stained glass rose window of amazing beauty. It can be called a true masterpiece of High Gothic of the 13th century. Unlike the southern rosette, this stained glass window has been preserved almost untouched, since 85% of the mosaic is an original work of art by medieval masters.

The north rose window is located at a height of 21 meters, its diameter is 13 meters. The subject composition depicts the Virgin and Child surrounded by characters from the Old Testament. In the central part of the stained glass rosette the Virgin Mary is placed with the newborn Jesus in her arms, and around her there are medallions with images of judges, prophets, kings and high priests.

The predominance of lilac and violet shades in the color palette of the mosaic elements symbolizes the long, anxious night awaiting the birth of the Messiah.

The composition of the northern rosette is in a kind of movement: fragments of stained glass are not located along strict vertical and horizontal lines, thereby creating the image of a rotating wheel. Illuminated by the sun's rays, the rose window of the northern transept illuminates the dark walls of the nave with bright colors, filling the interior of the temple with divine light.

Portal of the Red Gate - Portail du Cloître

The portal on the north side of the transept is called the “Red Gate”. Previously, it served as a passage to the monastery, located next to Notre Dame Cathedral.

The central pillar of the portal depicts the Virgin Mother, an authentic statue from the 13th century. It was here originally from the moment of its creation, but the baby, unfortunately, was destroyed. Reminiscent of the famous 14th-century statue of Our Lady of Paris installed inside the cathedral, the Virgin of the Portal is still more regal and majestic.

On the tympanum above the gate there is a sculptural scene of the coronation of Mary in the presence of King Louis IX the Saint and Queen Margaret of Provence. Just above are scenes from the childhood of Jesus Christ: the Nativity, his appearance in the temple, the killing of infants and the flight to Egypt.

The archivolts show episodes of miracles that happened to Saints Theophilus and Marcel. In one of the scenes, Saint Marcel extracts the devil in the form of a dragon from the body of a deceased sinner. The other shows Mary's divine power contained in her savior son. An impressive story is how Theophilus, having sold his soul to the devil in order to secure his place as the bishop's successor, subsequently repented and began to pray to the Virgin. And she broke this agreement, saving Theophilus from the devil’s embrace. At the very top above the portal is a bishop telling a story for the edification of believers.

Separate parts of the original statues that adorned these gates - figures of the Magi and Virtues - are exhibited in the Cluny Museum.

Main altar – Autel principal

At the entrance to the choir there is a raised liturgical platform with a modern bronze altar placed on it by the French sculptors Jean and Sebastian Toure. Its consecration took place in 1989.

Following the model of the Cathedral in Chartres, on the sides of the main altar there are figures of four biblical prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

The four evangelists are depicted in front - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. According to the creators, this sculptural group symbolizes the connection between the Old and New Testaments.

Since the Second Vatican Council, Mass has been celebrated near the entrance to the choir, with the priest facing the congregation, as the Pope always did in St. Peter's Church in Rome.

Side naves - Bas-cotés

Notre Dame Cathedral, in an architectural sense, is a basilica with galleries and double side naves, which are divided in half by longitudinal rows of giant columns. These additional rows of pillars transform the three-nave basilica into a five-nave one. This feature makes the cathedral a much more valuable architectural monument. In the Middle Ages, Gothic cathedrals with double side naves were not often built; tapestries were simply hung in the openings of the arcades.

On each side of the naves there are seven chapels, running from the fourth to the tenth bay. These chapels contain paintings and sculptures on religious themes, which were created to order by the best masters of France. They are presented to the cathedral every year on the first day of May, following a centuries-old tradition associated with Parisian jewelers. And in one of the chapels you can see a historical model that clearly demonstrates the progress of construction of Notre Dame Cathedral.

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The central nave is an elongated room of ten bays, bounded on both longitudinal sides by a number of columns separating it from the side naves. The vaults of the nave rise to a height of 33 meters and its width is 12 meters.

The nave of Notre Dame Cathedral has three levels in height:

• In the lower tier there are round, polished columns with capitals in the form of elaborate wreaths made of acanthus leaves.
• The second tier contains arched openings separated from each other by thin columns.
• On both sides of the third tier there are rows of elongated lancet windows necessary for the penetration of daylight.

Thanks to this, the ceiling, built in the form of a six-lobed stone vault, is clearly visible.

The interior space of the nave appears much larger than in an ordinary parish church. The creators of the cathedral, thereby, tried to recreate the image of heavenly Jerusalem, which is described in detail in the Bible. Architectural elements of the Gothic style add sophistication and grace to the interior, creating a feeling of touching the heavens, which was not always inherent in earlier Romanesque architecture.

On both sides of the nave in the choir there are carved wooden benches from the early 18th century, which depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. They were made specifically as a tribute, in honor of the royal vow of Louis XIII.

A large number of parishioners gather here for services every day. A mysterious twilight reigns inside the cathedral. During the large-scale restoration, for better lighting, new windows were additionally made in the side walls of the nave.

Grand Organ - Grand orgue

Under the west rose window is the famous organ of Notre Dame Cathedral. It is not only the largest organ in France, but also one of the largest musical instruments in the whole world. Today the organ consists of 109 registers and about 7800 pipes.

The first organ was installed in the cathedral in 1402. A new building in the Gothic style was specially designed for it. Since this instrument could not completely fill the entire vast space of the cathedral, in 1730 Francois-Henri Clicquot completed its construction. At the same time, the organ acquired its current body in the Louis XVI style. In the 1860s, the famous French organ builder of the 19th century, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, carried out a complete reconstruction of it, and the baroque instrument received an unusual romantic sound. Subsequently, the large organ underwent various reconstructions and replacements several more times, but in 1992, the control of the instrument was computerized, and a fiber-optic cable was installed to it.

Many famous names have accompanied this organ over the centuries, among them Perotina, the inventor of polyphonic music in the 13th century, Campra, Daquin, Armand-Louis Couperin, Cesar Frank, Camille Saint-Saëns, and more recently Louis Vierna and Pierre Cochereau. The position of titular organist of Notre Dame Cathedral is considered one of the most prestigious in France.

You can listen to the sound of the large organ completely free of charge every week during Sunday mass.

West rose window – Rose ouest

The West Rose Window is the central stained glass window in Notre Dame de Paris. It was created in 1220 and is the oldest rosette in the cathedral. The stained glass rose appears huge, but its diameter is only 9.6 meters, making this mosaic the smallest of the cathedral's three rosettes.

Situated harmoniously in the center of the western facade, it consists of three circles around a central medallion depicting the Mother of God and the baby Jesus. In the first belt from the center there are twelve “small” prophets, followed by 12 agricultural works according to the seasons, which correspond to the 12 signs of the zodiac.

In the upper circle on the medallions it is shown how the twelve virtues in the form of warriors armed with spears oppose the twelve vices.

To this day, most of the original fragments of the mosaic of the western window have not survived, and the stained glass window itself was almost completely changed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. It is also impossible to fully examine the rosette on the window, since it is partially covered by a large organ.

Western Façade – Façade occidentale

The construction of this facade began under Bishop Ed de Sully in 1200, the third architect who worked on the construction of the cathedral. This work was continued by his successors, in particular Guillaume d’Auvergne, and after 1220 the construction was continued by the fourth architect. The North Tower was completed in 1240 and the South Tower in 1250.

The western façade is the embodiment of grandeur, simplicity and harmony. Its strength and power is based on the relationship between vertical and horizontal lines. Four powerful buttresses rush to the tops of the towers, raising them to the heavens. Their symbolic meaning is that this temple is dedicated to God. And two wide horizontal stripes seem to return the building back to our mortal earth, being proof that this cathedral also belongs to people.

The dimensions of the western façade are also impressive: 41 meters wide, 43 meters to the base of the towers, 63 meters to the top of the towers.

In the center, next to the Gallery of the Virgin, there is a large rose with a diameter of 9.6 meters, created in 1225, which forms a halo above the head of the statue of the Virgin and Child, which is flanked by two angels. On both sides of the stone rose are statues of Adam and Eve, which remind us of original sin. They were placed here on the initiative of Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.

Below the balustrade is a wide horizontal frieze called the Gallery of the Kings. Here are 28 figures of Jewish kings, the ancestors of Christ. The height of each figure is more than three meters. This sculpture indicates that Mary was a mortal woman, a member of the human race, and gave birth to Jesus, who was both man and God. During the revolution of 1793, the stone figures were beheaded, so 19th-century restorers had to restore them. Most of the original surviving heads of the kings are now on display in the medieval museum of Cluny.

At the lower level of the facade there are three large portals, which differ significantly from each other. The central portal is known as the Portal of the Last Judgment, and is taller and wider than the others. To the right of it is the Portal of St. Anne, and to the left is the Portal of the Holy Virgin. The gate leaves are decorated with an amazing wrought iron pattern, and the façade of the portals is decorated with images of many characters. There are 4 statues on the buttresses: on the south side - the figure of the deacon of St. Stephen, on the north side - the Bishop of Saint-Denis, and on the sides of the central portal there are two allegories depicted - a synagogue and a church.

Portal Sainte-Anne

The south aisle on the right side of the west facade is called the Portal of St. Anne, she was the mother of the Virgin Mary. It dates back to the 13th century and is the earliest among other portals.

On the tympanum, in its upper part, the Madonna Maesta is depicted, seated on a throne under a canopy. On different sides of her were angels and the builders of the temple - Bishop Maurice de Sully and the kneeling King Louis VII. These statues were created for the Church of St. Mary, which was previously located on the site of the cathedral, and then they were moved to the portal. The lower part of the tympanum depicts scenes from the lives of Joachim and Anna.

On the central pillar of the portal between the doors is a statue of Saint Marcel, bishop of Paris in the 5th century. Saint Marcel was the predecessor of Saint Genevieve. These two figures were very revered among the faithful Parisians before the revolution. They became famous for their courageous, inventive and effective work aimed at charity. Moreover, like all true fighters for justice, they were highly spiritual individuals who sacredly observed all sacraments and prayers.

Portal of the Last Judgment - Portail du Jugement

This portal was built in 1220–1230. It is located in the center of the western facade, striking with its magnificent sculptural design. The Last Judgment is presented here as it is described in the Gospel of Matthew.

In the center of the tympanum is Christ seated on a throne in glory, on both sides of him are angels with instruments of the Passion and kneeling figures of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, who pray for sinners. Under the figure of Christ is depicted the heavenly city - New Jerusalem. To his right are figures of the righteous, headed by the Archangel Michael with scales for human souls in his hands. On the other side, devils take sinners to Hell. At the very bottom of the tympanum the scene of the Resurrection is shown.

The archivolts depict various saints, women and men, who make up the hierarchy of the Heavenly Powers. On the side pilasters near the gates themselves there are figures of virgins, five on each side, personifying the “Parable of the Ten Virgins.”

On the pilaster dividing the portal into two gate leaves, there is another statue of Christ. He is surrounded by twelve apostles, six on each side. At their base, on the base of the portal, virtues and vices are represented in small medallions.

Many of the statues that adorned the Portal of the Last Judgment were destroyed during the revolution and were subsequently recreated by Viollet-le-Duc, who returned the western façade to its original appearance.

Portal of the Holy Virgin – Portail de la Vierge

The northern portal on the left side of the western facade of Notre Dame Cathedral is called the Portal of the Holy Virgin. It is decorated with statues from the 12th – 13th centuries.

On the central pilaster there is a figure of the Madonna and Child. The tympanum depicts scenes of the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
On one of the sculptural compositions you can see how the completion of Mary’s life on earth took place. The term "dormition" in the Christian dictionary means death. The dead will fall asleep, but on the Last Day Christ will awaken them for the general resurrection, just as the Lord raised him on Easter morning. Symbolizing the connection with the Old Testament, twelve apostles were located at Mary’s deathbed, who laid the Ark of the Covenant, where the tablets of the Covenant are located, which serve as a prototype of the Holy Virgin, in whom the word became flesh.

Another storyline depicts the coronation scene of the Virgin after her resurrection into heaven. She sits solemnly on the royal throne, and her son Jesus blesses her while an angel places a crown on Mary's head.

Allegorical figures of the twelve months are placed on the side pilasters, and various saints and angels are located on the archivolts.

Legends of Notre Dame Cathedral

For many, Notre Dame is a universal reference book of esotericism. And it is not surprising that the majestic structure, which has a centuries-old history, is wrapped in countless legends, like a shroud.

Legend of the Blacksmith

Legends of the famous cathedral greet Parisians and thousands of tourists right at the gates. The expression “sell your soul to the devil” is used not in a figurative, but in the literal sense of the word when it comes to the master who forged the gates for the cathedral.

Thousands of years later, people admire with joyful admiration the magic of the intricate patterns on the gates. I can’t believe that man could create such perfect, incomprehensible beauty.

At the beginning of the 2nd millennium, Bishop Maurice de Sully conceived the idea of ​​​​building a grandiose cathedral, which was supposed to outshine everything that had existed before in beauty and grandeur.

The future cathedral was assigned an honorable role: to become the spiritual stronghold of the nation and accommodate the population of the entire city. The blacksmith was entrusted with an important mission - to create a gate that would match the beauty and craftsmanship of the greatness of the building being erected.

Birskone fell into anxious doubts. The task that stood before him seemed so important to him, and his own skill was so insufficient, that he called upon supernatural forces to help.

It was not even clear how the master managed to create this masterpiece: whether he used forging or casting to create such complex openwork patterns. But the master himself could not answer anything.

When he came to, he was gloomy, thoughtful and taciturn. When the gates were installed and the locks were secured on them, it turned out that no one, including the blacksmith, could open them. Suspecting something was wrong, the castles were sprinkled with holy water, and only after that the gates were allowed into the temple by amazed servants.

The brilliant master himself soon became speechless and quickly went to his grave. They never had time to extract the secret of creating the gate from him. Some logically assumed that the master simply did not want to reveal the secrets of his professional skills.
But rumors and legends reported that there was a deal with the devil. This is exactly the kind of deal the blacksmith was forced to make: to sell his soul in exchange for talent.

Be that as it may, the incomprehensible beauty of the main gate of the temple may indeed raise doubts that they were created without any intervention from extraterrestrial forces.

The Legend of the Nails of the Holy Cross

Of the four nails of the cross that were used during the crucifixion of Christ, two are kept in France. One of the nails is located in Notre Dame itself. The other is in the Church of St. Siffredios, which is located in the city of Carpentras. All sorts of miracles are attributed to this nail.

The miraculous nail was found in Jerusalem by the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine and transported to Rome. Helen, the mother of the emperor, is not in vain revered by Orthodox Christians around the world: she saved and preserved many holy relics associated with the life and death of Jesus and the Mother of God. In particular, with her help, the cross on which the Lord was executed was found.

Believing in the miraculous power of the nail of the cross, Elena ordered a bit to be made from it for her son’s horse. She believed that the power contained in the nail would protect the emperor on the battlefields. In 313, Constantine, having defeated Lucinius, put an end to the persecution of Christians and himself converted to Christianity.

Centuries later, the bit ended up in the Carpentras Cathedral. The nail from this cathedral was a mystical symbol and amulet of the city during the plague.

The sick and crippled were healed by touching it; the nail helped drive out demons from the possessed. The Vatican has officially recognized cases of medically inexplicable miraculous healings.

The nail, despite its centuries-old age, does not oxidize or rust. Even attempts to gild it came to nothing: the gilding came off the nail.

All these miracles, however, do not apply to the nail kept in Notre Dame. This nail has long been covered with rust. However, the authenticity of the French relic from Carpentras is still disputed by the Roman Church.

Legend of the Knights

After the destruction of the 1st Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the trace of the most revered relic by the Jews, the Ark of the Covenant, was lost. The Ark of the Covenant was shaped like a chest and was made of pure gold. It allegedly contained divine revelations that shed light on the laws of the universe.

Among other things, the casket contained the secret of the “golden ratio”. The “golden number” 1.618 in proportion to 1 was ideal for the construction of architectural structures, when creating sculptures and paintings. The “Golden Number” was the key that unlocked the divine secret of the harmony of all things.

According to some versions, the Order of the Knights Templar was considered involved in the discovery of the golden casket. When the first French Templars went to the East to protect pilgrims going to the Holy Land, they did not limit themselves to this task.

Their mission also included searching for the treasured casket. The rumor that the casket was either found by them, or given to the Templars by the secret guardians of the relic, spread throughout France.

In any case, after their return to their homeland, the construction of Chartres Cathedral began. It was destined to become the most majestic and mysterious cathedral in the world.

The altar - the “holy place” is located between the second and third columns of the cathedral. If you count 37 meters down from this place, you can find the ancient well of the Druids (lowest point). And at the same distance from the altar is the highest point of the cathedral - the spire of the main column.

This place with points located symmetrically at the same distance from the main shrine has some kind of magical power. Those who have been there will have indelible impressions. It seems that the cathedral transmits double energy to a person.

The energy of the Earth rises from the lowest point of the temple. The energy of heaven descends from above. A person receives such a portion of concentrated pure energy that he is instantly transformed, both physically and spiritually.

The Legend of the Symbol of Heaven

For a medieval resident, everything he saw was only a reflection of a higher world, invisible to the human eye. Therefore, all the architecture of the Middle Ages was encrypted in symbols. It is not easy to unravel all this symbolism of geometry, symmetry, mathematics, astrological symbols hidden in the architecture of Notre Dame.

Its central round stained glass window (rosette) depicts the zodiac signs and zodiac symbols are carved in stone next to the figure of the Virgin Mary. This composition is interpreted as a symbol of the annual zodiac cycle.

But the zodiac cycle begins with the sign of Taurus, while on the stained glass it begins with the sign of Pisces. And this corresponds not to Western, but to Hindu astrology.

Venus corresponds to the sign of Pisces, based on Greek traditions. But the fish was also a symbol of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ichthus" (fish) contained in its first letters the phrase: "Jesus Christ, son of God."

A gallery of 28 kings of Judah reproduces the lunar cycle. But - again the mystery of Notre Dame: there were only 18 kings, whereas the lunar cycle consists of 28 days.

Legend of the Bell

The bells on the towers of the cathedral have their own names and voices. The oldest of them is named Belle. And the largest one, Emmanuel, weighs 13 tons.
All bells, except the last one, ring daily in the morning and evening. Emmanuel, due to its gravity, is not so easy to swing. Therefore, it is used only on the most solemn occasions.

But, if you believe the legends, the cathedral once served as a haven for a man who could single-handedly rock this gigantic structure. His name was Quasimodo, he was the bell ringer of Notre Dame.

There is also a beautiful legend relating to the creation of this bell. When at one time they wanted to cast it in bronze, Parisians in love with Notre Dame threw their gold and silver jewelry into the molten bronze. That is why the voice of the bell had no equal in beauty and purity of sound.

The Legend of the Philosopher's Stone

Esotericists consider Notre Dame to be a kind of body of occult knowledge. Various occult researchers have been trying to decipher the architecture and symbolism of the cathedral since the beginning of the 17th century.

They say that the famous architects of the cathedral were helped by ancient alchemists with their knowledge. And somewhere in the geometry of the building the secret of the philosopher's stone is encoded. Anyone who can unravel it in countless sculptural stucco moldings will be able to transform any other substance into gold.

And, if you are able to decipher the ancient teaching, which, according to followers of occultism, is encoded in the frescoes, then you can comprehend all the secrets of the universe and gain unlimited power over the world.

Tower ticket prices:

• Adult: 8,50 Euro
• Persons from 18-25 years old: 6,50 Euro

Entrance to the cathedral: for free

How to get there

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, Paris 75004
Telephone: +33 1 42 34 56 10
Website: notredamedeparis.fr‎
Metro: Cite
Working hours: 8:00 - 18:45

Ticket price

• Adult: 8.50 €
• Reduced: 6.50 €

Updated: 09/04/2019

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) is one of the masterpieces of world Gothic architecture, which rises above the Ile de la Cité like a huge ship anchored with powerful buttresses.

Visiting hours of the cathedral: Monday-Saturday from 8.00 to 19.00, and also on Sunday, 8.00-12.30, 14.00-17.00; Free admission; Metro St-Michel/Cite.

You may not know about the existence of buttresses unless you approach this amazing “H” shaped structure.

This most impressive architectural feature of the cathedral's exterior is that its vertical supports are balanced by the horizontal line of the frieze and gallery, which are centered on the rose window.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is a massive structure, the result of a thoughtful architectural design that implements, to some extent, the traditions of the Romanesque style. Notre Dame Cathedral was built on the site of the old Saint-Etienne Cathedral, which in turn was built on the site of a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter.

Construction of this cathedral began in 1160 under the patronage of the Archbishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, and was completed around 1345. The seminaries of Notre Dame actually became the concentration of spiritual power in the period of the XIII-XIV centuries. Six bishops emerged from their walls, but subsequently the cathedral partially lost its supremacy, losing the Olympus of primacy to such dioceses as the cathedrals of Reims and Saint-Denis.

Centuries passed, and the cathedral gradually fell into decay. Particularly great damage was caused to it during the times French Revolution, when the most ardent adherents of the revolutionary idea began to destroy the statues of the Jewish kings on the western façade of the cathedral, mistaking them, out of ignorance and lack of education, for French monarchs.

The importance of the cathedral increased slightly after in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned here as emperor, but by this time the walls of the cathedral had become so dilapidated that they even had to be draped to create a majestic atmosphere for the coronation.

The long-awaited restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral began only in the 20s of the 19th century, largely thanks to the petition of Victor Hugo, who attracted the attention of wide circles of the public to this problem in his novel Notre Dame Cathedral, in which he described in detail the deplorable state of the cathedral.

Victor Hugo, like other writers of the romantic genre, treated Gothic architecture with reverence, seriously believing that the soaring naves of great cathedrals served as the best refuge for “tormented souls.”

The restoration of the cathedral was entrusted to the architect Viollet-le-Duc, who carried out very extensive and thorough restoration work, according to some experts, even too thorough.

Most of the lost statues of the facade were restored (their originals are now kept in the National Museum of the Middle Ages), a spire was added, and gloomy gargoyles (snouts of drainpipes in the form of fantastic figures) were installed.

You can see them at close range if you dare to climb the towers of the cathedral (visiting hours daily, April-September, Monday-Thursday from 9.00 to 19.30, Friday-Sunday 9.00-21.00; October-March, 10.00-17.00; cost 7 euros) . By the beginning of the new millennium, the facade of the cathedral was thoroughly washed, removing deeply ingrained dirt, after which the amazingly beautiful carvings on the portals of the cathedral became clearly visible.

Perhaps, first of all, the eye stops at the central portal, representing the “Judgment Day”. The lower frieze is a continuous movement of the dead rising from their graves, while in the upper part sits Christ, who administers the Last Judgment. He sends people on his right hand to heaven, while sinners on his left hand are doomed to terrible torment in hell.

It is curious that among the depicted sinners there are people similar to bishops and monarchs, which means that medieval masters had the opportunity to criticize the powers that be. The craftsmen also had a sense of humor: around the arch of the portal there are depictions of playful, playful angels, the models for which, as they say, were boys from the church choir.

The left portal depicts the Virgin Mary, crowned by Christ; the lower frieze of the portal represents scenes from her life. On the right portal, the Virgin Mary is enthroned, below you can see scenes from the life of St. Anne (Mother Mary) and Christ.

These scenes use visual aids and symbolism to help them be understood not as separate episodes, but as a whole. For example, in the scene of the birth of Christ, the baby is positioned above Mary, which indicates his higher status, while he lies not in the cradle, but on the altar, which historians believe contains a hint of his future role as a victim.

Inside the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, you will undoubtedly be struck by the amazing contrast between the darkness of the central nave and the light falling on the first large column of the choir - this seems to emphasize the sanctity of the altar.

This light enters Notre Dame through the far walls of the transepts, which are two-thirds glass, including the magnificent purple rose windows. All of this, including the vault and the soaring columns reaching up to the top of the vaults, are typically Gothic architectural elements, while the spaciousness around the nave columns and the general desire for square space are characteristic of the Romanesque style.

Treasury of Notre Dame Cathedral

The treasury of Notre-Dame de Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), trezor (visiting hours daily from 9.30 to 18.00; cost 3 euros) contains mainly richly decorated monstrances and chalices of the 19th century, but in general the value of the collection is unlikely to merit the specified entrance fee .

The cathedral offers free tours; Collection at the entrance at the excursion table. You can also combine a tour of the interior with organ concerts (free admission), which take place every Sunday at 16.00 or 17.00. The cathedral organ is considered one of the best in all of France. It was created by the great master of the 19th century, Aristide Cavalier-Col, and has more than six thousand pipes.

Before leaving Notre-Dame de Paris, visit the garden at the east end of the cathedral to see the arched buttresses supporting the choir, then stroll along the river under the south transept. Here you can sit for a while in the spring under the falling white petals of the cherry blossoms.

To the north, on the other side of the cathedral, are the streets of Chanonesse, Yoursin and Colombes, three of the few streets that Baron Haussmann paid attention. There is nothing special about them, except for old buildings, which can be used to judge what the city used to look like. Ile de la Cité .

Kilometer Zero and the Crypt of Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is the symbolic center not only of Paris, but of the whole country: here, on the porch near the cathedral, there is a sign (marked with a bronze star) of the so-called “zero kilometer” point, from which the length of all the main roads in France is calculated.

Opposite the cathedral, at the end of the square, there are steps that lead into the daylight Crypt of Notre Dame (visiting hours Tuesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, price 3.50 euros), which is worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the island.

In this large space, located under the porch of the cathedral and representing the result of archaeological excavations, you can see the remains of the old cathedral, as well as the streets and houses that once surrounded Notre-Dame de Paris.

Most of them belong to the Middle Ages, but some date back to Gallo-Roman times and represent fragments of the Roman heating system under the floor (called a “hypocaust”).

Official site: www.notredamedeparis.fr

More photos of Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) here: Photo gallery

In the heart of Paris is the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. For many centuries, the Catholic church has amazed people with its grace, splendor and monumentality.

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Construction of the cathedral began under the reign of Louis YII in 1163. Bishop Maurice de Sully initiated the construction. Historians believe that the foundation was the destroyed St. Stephen's Basilica and other buildings:

1. Romanesque Cathedral
2. Carolingian Cathedral
3. Paleo-Christian Church

The work lasted for almost two centuries, which suggests that there were many participants in the construction, but almost no information about them has been preserved. The names of the architects who began construction are known: Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil. Construction of the temple proceeded slowly.

Despite the fact that parishioners, rich and poor, noble and common people, tried to help the construction by donating whatever amounts they could, there was not enough money. Construction proceeded in stages: the walls were completed by 1177, the altar was built (and consecrated by Cardinal Albano) in 1182. By the end of the 12th century, a lead roof was installed, towers were erected in 1245, and interior decoration was completed in 1315. The year 1345 is considered to be the end of construction.

Since that time, there have been no major restorations, the building has deteriorated, and there was especially a lot of destruction during the revolution. The figures of the Jewish kings were removed and beheaded, the stained glass windows were broken, and the artistic carvings were also damaged. At the very end of the 18th century, the Convention issued a decree according to which believers were obliged to pay money for the needs of the revolution, otherwise the temple would be destroyed. The residents managed to defend their shrine, but Robespierre declared it a stronghold of obscurantism and renamed it the Temple of Reason.

Interesting fact: sculptures of the kings were discovered during construction work at the end of the 20th century. As it turned out, the former owner of the house, who lived at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, purchased the statues and buried them with honors. In 1802, the cathedral was returned to the Catholic Church and reconsecrated. In the 19th century, they began to repair the building, led by the architect Viollet-le-Duc - they restored stained glass windows, sculptures, erected a new spire, and installed sculptures of chimeras. The Catholic church was the site of royal weddings, burials, and parliamentary meetings. Here the destitute found lodging for the night and criminals found protection.

Appearance

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is individual and unique. The cathedral took about two hundred years to build, many architects took part in the work, so the building styles are different - Gothic and Romanesque. The temple is a basilica with double aisles on the sides, a design that was almost never used before. The height of the temple is 35 m, length is 130 m, width is 48 m. The weight of the bell tower, located on the south side, is 13 tons. The façade is divided vertically into three parts, horizontally divided into three rows by galleries, and the façade is crowned by two towers.

The first tier has three portals, they depict the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne and paintings of the Last Judgment. Above the entrance there is a panel with scenes from the Gospel, and statues of saints are installed above the arches. Above is the Gallery of Kings with 28 figures of the kings of Judah. The beauty and brightness of the building is given by stained glass windows, almost entirely recreated in the 19th century. The main stained glass window (rose) remains from the Middle Ages and has been partially restored. It depicts the image of the Mother of God and other pictures, including virtuous and sinful actions of people. The two roses on the sides are considered the largest in Europe, their diameter is 13 m.

The cathedral is crowned by a 96-meter spire covered with lead plates. Nearby are sculptures of the apostles, divided into four groups. An animal was placed near each saint, which is a symbol of the evangelist. The statues are installed facing Paris, and only Thomas, who is considered the patron saint of builders, looks at the spire.

Gargoyles

A striking decoration of the façade, gargoyles, were installed in the 13th century. These are demonic creatures that look like large dragons. They are well preserved, as they are made of durable limestone quarried in the Seine River basin. Translated from Old French it means “throat”. In Gothic style, gargoyles were intended to drain rainwater; gutters made of stone or metal were installed in them to hide their unattractiveness.

Chimeras are evil demonic creatures, usually depicted as demons, fairy birds or animals with wings like bats. They embody human sins. The architect Viollet-le-Duc decided to install them during a major restoration. He himself made sketches of the monsters and sculptors under the direction of Geoffroy Dechaumes embodied them in stone. One of the popular chimeras is Strix, a half-woman, half-bird who, according to legend, fed on the blood of babies. It’s interesting that if you take a picture with them to a living person, they seem like stone sculptures, while gargoyles and chimeras look full of life.

Interior decoration

The internal space of Gothic architecture is created thanks to transverse and longitudinal naves, forming the shape of a cross. There are no internal walls supporting the structure in the room; they are replaced by two rows of columns. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with artistic carvings. One part of the cathedral contains sculptures, paintings and other works of art, which are presented by parishioners on May 1, a Catholic holiday dedicated to Our Lady.

Under the high tier there are sculptures of the rulers of the Old Testament. The original figures were destroyed and replaced with copies. The organ is famous - it was equipped in the Middle Ages during the construction of a temple, the largest in Europe. It was reconstructed and rebuilt many times. Along the spiral staircase you can get to the South Tower of the temple, from which a grandiose panorama of the city opens up; it’s convenient to see the bell, gargoyles and chimeras from a close distance.

The center of the long nave is decorated with compositions telling scenes from the Lives of the Saints. The interior of the temple is made of steel-gray stone. Since, according to Gothic canons, the walls are not decorated with wall paintings, the somewhat gloomy picture is enlivened by the sunlight entering through colored stained glass and lancet windows, giving the temple color and brightness. The chapels located on the sides tell about the earthly life of the Mother of God. The central stained glass window contains several dozen scenes from the Old Testament.

The novel that glorified the cathedral

By the 19th century, the Cathedral had become so dilapidated that it was about to be demolished. The publication of the novel “Notre Dame de Paris” by the French writer Victor Hugo in 1831 contributed to his salvation. The novelist wrote about good and evil, love and hate. The idea did not arise by chance - Hugo was an ardent defender of ancient architecture and his activities were aimed at protecting it. The chapter of the novel “The Cathedral of Our Lady” talks about the structure, describing its beauty. The writer expresses concern, rightly believing that humanity may lose a unique structure.

The heroine is a gypsy named Esmeralda. The clergyman Claude Frollo, the bell-ringer Quasimodo, a pupil of the archdeacon, and the captain, Phoebus de Chateaupert, became infatuated with the beauty. Frollo fell passionately in love with the girl, tried to seduce her, but was refused. The enraged priest orders Quasimodo to kidnap Esmeralda, but Captain Chateaupert prevents this. The young people liked each other and had a date. During the meeting, Frollo, blinded by jealousy, wounds Phoebus and accuses the girl of the crime. She is sentenced to death.

Quasimodo hid Esmeralda in the cathedral (the Temple of God, according to the laws of Catholicism, is a refuge where a person can hide from any offense) to save her from the gallows. Esmeralda could not fall in love with the ugly hunchback, but she developed friendly feelings towards him. The ending is tragic - Esmeralda dies, the unfortunate Quasimodo takes the girl’s body to the temple and also dies of grief.

Hugo's novel is stunning with its tragedy, vivid images, and description of Notre Dame Cathedral. They no longer talked about destroying the temple; they decided to restore it. Restoration of the building began in 1841 under the leadership of Viollet-le-Duc. Finished in 1864.

Museum and treasury

The museum tells about the history of the appearance of the temple, about interesting facts related to this place; interesting exhibits are presented here - objects of art, utensils. Through the museum you can go to the Treasury, which houses one of the main Christian shrines - part of the Life-Giving Cross and the Crown of Thorns of the Savior. Church vestments, utensils, paintings, manuscripts, and other items of artistic and historical value are exhibited.