Today is the first anniversary of the big fire that devastated Notre-Dame .
The cathedral of Paris, a Gothic masterpiece and a World Heritage Site, was devoured by the stake, but its structure, facade and treasures it contains have been saved. Its spire, one of the symbols of the French capital, collapsed after being ravaged by the flames for over an hour .
And also the restoration works of Notre-Dame were stopped due to the coronavirus . Since March 16, the construction site has been stopped to prevent workers from taking risks related to the epidemic. In France, the Paris region is one of the most affected by the virus.
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated today - one year after the Notre-Dame fire - that "everything" will be done to rebuild the cathedral in five years, as he had pledged to do immediately after the disaster. In a video posted on the Elysée website, the French head of state points out that the drama has not been forgotten even if "our days, our thoughts, our lives are cornered" by the Coronavirus crisis. "We will rebuild Notre-Dame - Macron announces - in 5 years, I promised. We will do everything possible to meet this deadline. Of course, the construction site is currently waiting for the health crisis, but it will start again as soon as possible". The construction site was interrupted from March 16 to avoid risks to workers and site reconstruction workers. The actual restoration of the church has not yet begun, the cathedral is still in an emergency after the fire on April 15, 2019. Macron, in the message, thanks "all those who saved it yesterday and those who , today, they rebuild it ". "If the restoration of Notre-Dame affects us all - continues the president - it is undoubtedly also because it is a symbol of the resilience of our people, of its ability to overcome tests, and to get up again". The big "Emmanuel" campaign of the south tower of Notre-Dame in Paris will ring tonight at 8pm to commemorate the start of the fire.
Its history - The Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, literally 'Our Lady of Paris' and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, it was the most visited monument in France with over 12 million tourists every year .
Located in the heart of the capital, at the end of the Ile de la Cité, its construction began in 1163 century and took about two centuries of work, up to the changes that gave it its current structure. It has a Latin cross plan and two bell towers, where you can go up to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The high spire, 45 meters high, was built in 1860.
Inside, the rose windows stand out sumptuously: the one in the north depicts images of the Old Testament, the one in the south depicts Christ with saints, apostles and angels.
Notre-Dame suffered severe damage and raids during the French Revolution. And it was the subject of an impressive restoration by the architect Viollet-le-Duc. The heart of French Christianity, the cathedral hosted some of the most important moments in the history of the country, such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and the beatification of Joan of Arc. And then again masses for the death of presidents De Gaulle, Pompidou and Mitterand. In 2013, the writer and historian near the far right Dominique Venner chose her for her shocking farewell: shooting herself near the altar.
A young and still unknown Victor Hugo gave her a historical novel, 'Notre-Dame de Paris' which gave him immediate success after its publication in 1831. Since then the whole world fell in love with the love story between Quasimodo, the hunchback bell ringer and the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda.
The European Central Bank and the Banque de France are among the supporters engaged in the creation of funds for interventions on the cathedral.
"We are heartened by the initiative aimed at restoring and rebuilding this reference point. The ECB will donate a financial contribution to the restoration", announced yesterday via Twitter the central institution which now specifies in a note that "the sum will be guaranteed by a fund set up with internal donations and aimed at charitable interventions. The ECB has so far not indicated the amount that will be given to contribute to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame. The European Central Bank has donated donations in the past to various other European countries ".
