Who wrote Notre Dame de Paris. Notre Dame Cathedral - Notre Dame de Paris

Address: France, Paris, 4th arrondissement, Ile de la Cité
Start of construction: 1163
Completion of construction: 1345
Architects: Jean de Chelles, Pierre de Montreuil
Height of towers (bell towers): 69 m.
Main attractions: Crown of thorns, nail (with which Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross), and part of the cross itself, cathedral bells, large organ
Coordinates: 48°51"10.7"N 2°21"00.6"E

Starting the material about the legendary Notre-Dame de Paris, I would like to immediately note that it will not be possible to briefly describe the history, legends, and architectural features of the world’s greatest Catholic church. It would be more correct to say that even a short story about this amazing place will take a lot of time.

Almost all French guides conducting excursions in Paris often say that while they tell the history of Notre-Dame Cathedral and introduce tourists to its architecture, interior decoration and priceless treasures, they are left with the feeling that they are in a place of incredible strength. In the cathedral, where you can see huge crowds of people almost at any time of the day, everything is truly imbued with an atmosphere of mysticism and mystery.

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris)

Probably for this reason Every year almost 14 (!) million people come to see the legendary Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. This number is simply staggering; it is unlikely that on our planet you can find another such cult place that, like a magnet, would attract so many people every year. Even the splendor of the Palace of Versailles and the luxury of the castles of the Loire pale before the popularity of Notre-Dame de Paris, about which a lot of novels, popular science articles have been written and hundreds of documentaries have been shot.

Back in ancient times, there was a proverb that said that all roads without exception lead to Rome, but not a single Frenchman would agree with it. The thing is that France is a country where all roads, without exception, lead to Notre Dame Cathedral. Moreover, since the 18th century in this country it has been customary to calculate the distance to any city not from the borders of the capital, but from its “heart”. Naturally, the heart of Paris is considered to be perhaps the most majestic cathedral in the world, Notre Dame de Paris. By the way, according to the results of archaeological research, the place on which Notre Dame Cathedral was built in Paris has been considered sacred since the time of the first human settlements here.

View of Notre Dame Cathedral from the river. Seine

Of course, it will not be possible to tell about all the most interesting finds in one material, but the fact that on the territory of the modern temple previously stood the first Christian church, and before it a sanctuary dedicated to the pagan god Jupiter is a fact that deserves attention. This ancient history, inextricably linked with the place where Notre Dame Cathedral now stands, says only one thing: the center of Paris is really the place where a person’s connection with higher powers takes place.

Many travelers who come to Paris to see with their own eyes its huge number of attractions and greatest historical and architectural monuments, being near its “heart”, always experience great excitement.

It is also interesting that all people without exception, regardless of their religion, experience a sense of reverence for higher powers at Notre Dame de Paris. Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the lucky ones who were able to visit capitalist country, “drowning in luxury”, first of all they strove not for the Eiffel Tower, but for Notre Dame Cathedral, with which they were “familiar” only from the stories of Victor Hugo.

View of Notre Dame Cathedral from the Pont Eaux Double

Notre Dame Cathedral - the history of the construction of the majestic Gothic temple

Alas, in currently no documentary evidence has been found as to who ceremonially laid the first stone for the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral. Some historians claim that it was the Pope Alexander III, and the other part is sure that the ceremonial part associated with the start of construction magnificent cathedral, took place with the participation of Parisian Bishop Maurice de Sully. There are documents that shed light on the fact that it was thanks to Maurice de Sully that King Louis VII of France ordered the construction of the most magnificent Catholic church not only in France, but in the entire Old World, to begin in 1163. However, evidence of which of the clergy laid the “first stone”, alas, is most likely irretrievably lost. This fact, at first glance, does not have much significance, but only at first glance... The thing is that in those distant times, when the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral began, a priest had to open the construction of a Catholic church. And a huge number of questions related to the temple would be resolved if it were possible to find out for certain who laid that very “first stone” in the cathedral.

Be that as it may, already 19 years after the start of construction of the cathedral, its altar was consecrated: this event took place in the spring of 1182. In 1196, according to historical documents, the builders managed to completely complete the nave of Notre Dame Cathedral. Already in 1250, the construction of the majestic Catholic church was almost completely completed: all that remained was to complete the finishing work and decorate the interior.

View of Jean XXIII Square behind Notre Dame Cathedral

True, the cathedral was completely “handed over” only in 1345. If we speak in dry “statistical language”, the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral lasted exactly 182 years. This period may seem long to some, but for those times it was a majestic structure, the construction of which was completed, as modern architects would say, in record time. One has only to compare the construction period of Notre-Dame de Paris and the construction period of the legendary Cologne Cathedral, which, by the way, continues to be upset and decorated even today.

Speaking about the history of the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, it is impossible not to mention the names of two brilliant architects, thanks to whom this, without exaggeration, appeared, an architectural wonder of the world. The main architects who developed the plan for the “heart” of Paris are Jean of Chelles and Pierre of Montreuil. To be fair, it is worth noting that many other architects also worked on the cathedral, which thousands of tourists now come to see every day. However, the names of most of them were forgotten and only two of them went down in history: Pierre from Montreuil and Jean from Chell.

View of Notre Dame Cathedral at night from the river. Seine

Legends of Notre Dame Cathedral

There are a huge number of legends and myths associated with Notre-Dame Cathedral, many of which still keep scientists and experts in the study of paranormal phenomena awake. One of these legends is associated with the gates of Notre-Dame de Paris. Numerous ancient documents that have survived to this day say that Notre Dame Cathedral, like Cologne Cathedral, was built with the help of... no, not God, as some thought, but the devil. A talented blacksmith named Biscornet (by the way, a very real person, not a fictitious one) received an order for a gate that would decorate the entrance to the majestic temple of Paris. The blacksmith spent for a long time in thinking about what they should look like and how to forge them. Alas, even with great talent, he could not come up with anything and turned to Satan for help.

One morning the caretaker of the cathedral came to the temple and saw a blacksmith lying on the ground unconscious. Right next to his body lay a beautiful gate with intricate patterns. Naturally, these were the gates that fully corresponded to the significance and grandeur of the cathedral. They were immediately installed and the locks were cut in, and then an unexpected incident occurred: it was impossible to open them! No matter what the craftsmen did, the locks did not budge. It was possible to open the gates of Notre Dame Cathedral only after their locks were sprinkled with holy water. An interesting fact is that even modern scientists have not been able to uncover the secret of making these miracle gates and the appearance of patterns on them. It was impossible to make them either by casting or forging... Biscornet never told how this miracle appeared: some argue that he did not want to admit to a conspiracy with the devil, and experts say that the blacksmith simply did not want to reveal the unique secret.

View of the north and south towers of the cathedral

Another mystery is related to the numerous sculptures and interior of Notre Dame Cathedral. It is quite difficult to explain the presence of terrifying gargoyles and chimeras on its roof, even if we take into account the facts that the cathedral was built in the neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles, and the statues were placed there already during the reconstruction after the French Revolution. In the interior frescoes you can read and, most importantly, understand (!) the entire Bible. Scenes from the life of Christ and his execution are executed so realistically that even an ardent atheist, having seen all these works of art, will probably begin to doubt his views on the existence of higher powers. By the way, many people who study the occult believe that an ancient teaching is encrypted in the frescoes and sculptures of Notre Dame de Paris; you just need to understand its code and then you can gain power over the world. There is also a legend that the architects who drew up the plan for Notre Dame Cathedral were helped by alchemists who encrypted the formula of the philosopher's stone in it. Anyone who manages to read it among the numerous stucco moldings and sculptures will be able to transform any substance into precious metals.

Notre Dame Cathedral - a complicated story

In Notre-Dame de Paris, great emperors were solemnly crowned; it was in this temple that kings and queens concluded their alliances before God. The crusaders who went to war for the true God received blessings in this cathedral. The richest people in Paris considered this place the most reliable repository for valuables and deposited their countless treasures in the cathedral.

View of the main facade of the building on which the main stained glass rose window above the entrance to the cathedral, the Gallery of Kings and the statue of the Virgin Mary with a child and angels are located

It was in this temple that Napoleon Bonaparte placed the crown of the new French Empire on his head. It would be unfair to say that one of the most majestic Catholic churches was intended only for visits by crowned heads or the most influential people of France. No, great attention in Notre Dame Cathedral was paid to the poor, to whom they were always happy to provide all possible assistance.

Despite the fact that the “heart” of Paris was considered in Europe one of the main strongholds of the Christian faith, it, like many sights of the great country, suffered during the French Revolution. The Parisians, inspired by the speeches of the revolutionaries and, as if distraught, burst into Notre-Dame de Paris and caused irreparable damage to many statues. The townspeople reached the treasury, which was almost completely plundered. Moreover, the revolutionaries decided to blow up the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris... Here, as many popes often mention, higher powers intervened: the rebels suddenly ran out of gunpowder. The revolutionaries were confused and decided not to blow up the cathedral, but to adapt it into a warehouse where they began to store food supplies.

The savior of Notre-Dame de Paris is considered to be Victor Hugo, whose ashes rest in the French Pantheon. It was he who, in his first novel, called on all French people, despite their political views, to treat with love and sincere respect the monuments of architecture, history and sights for which beautiful France is famous throughout the world.

The central entrance to the cathedral above which is a sculptural panel of the Last Judgment

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the greatest churches in the world

As mentioned above, about 14,000,000 people come to the cathedral every year. Its popularity is explained not only by its unique architecture and truly luxurious interior decoration. Notre Dame Cathedral is also a place where millions of Catholics make pilgrimage. The thing is that in the temple, 35 meters high and 130 meters wide, there are some of the main Christian shrines. By the way, the bell towers of the temple are much higher than itself, their height is 69 meters. Notre-Dame de Paris houses the nail with which the Savior of all mankind was nailed to the cross, and part of the cross itself. In addition, in Notre Dame Cathedral, all believers can see and worship the crown of thorns, in which Jesus Christ ascended to the place of his execution. By the way, the crown of thorns was purchased for a huge sum by the king of France from the Roman emperor back in 1238. As it becomes clear from the history of the cathedral described above, one of the main shrines came to France even before the completion of the construction of the “heart” of Paris.

Throughout the history of its existence, the cathedral's treasury has been constantly replenished with various gifts, among which one can find unique exhibits dating back to the beginning of our era, and which simply cannot be valued in monetary terms. Many of these gifts are not only of historical value, they are shrines that are worshiped by millions of pilgrims.

Statues on the central portal of the cathedral

Many tourists who come to Notre Dame Cathedral for the first time are surprised that there is not a single wall painting on the walls of all three tiers of the temple. True, this does not make the walls seem gloomy: the sunlight penetrating through the huge windows, decorated with beautiful stained glass windows made by great masters, which depict biblical scenes, makes the room bright and, one might even say, fantastic. Some stained glass windows of Notre-Dame de Paris reach thirteen meters in diameter; they completely fit the “story” in the paintings about the birth, life and execution of Jesus Christ.

The cathedral's bells also deserve special attention. By the way, each bell of Notre Dame Cathedral has its own name. The largest bell of the Catholic church is named Emmanuel, its weight reaches 13 (!) tons, and the tongue weighs just over half a ton. The oldest of all the bells is called Belle (yes, like the character from the well-known novel), it was cast back in 1631. The Emmanuel bell is rung only on the most significant Catholic holidays, but the rest of the bells ring out in Paris at 8 am and 7 pm. All of these bells also miraculously escaped being melted down during the mob violence of the French Revolution.

If a visitor to the cathedral decides to enter through the central entrance (there are three in total), then he will see a realistic image of the Last Judgment.

Gallery of Kings on the main facade of the building

Two angels with trumpets woke up the dead all over our planet: a king, symbolizing power, a Pope, symbolizing the clergy, and warriors with a woman rose from their graves, showing that during the Last Judgment all humanity will wake up from eternal sleep.

Today, Notre Dame Cathedral is an active Catholic church, part of the Parisian archbishopric. Divine services are constantly held there, but to get to them you should come to the temple as early as possible: its capacity does not exceed 9,000 people. By the way, services in Notre-Dame de Paris are held using ultra-modern technologies: with the help of special effects, prayers are projected onto a huge screen in two languages: English and, of course, French. Believers can offer their prayers to God to the sounds of the largest organ in all of France. Moreover, the organ of Notre-Dame de France contains greatest number registers in the world: today there are 111 of them!

Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral is free, but visiting it with a guide is only allowed on certain days and times: Wednesday and Thursday at 2 pm, and Saturday at 2:30 pm. In addition, anyone can climb one of the towers, from which an amazing and unforgettable view of Paris will open. True, climbing the 387 steps to the tower will cost 8 euros, and children and teenagers under 18 years old can climb to the top of Notre-Dame de Paris for free.

View of the eastern façade of the building

It is also interesting that the celebrations significant date The 850th anniversary of the cathedral began on December 12, 2012. The ceremonies will last virtually whole year: They are scheduled for completion on November 24, 2013. For Notre Dame Cathedral in honor of its anniversary, nine new bells were cast in the workshops at once, which will join Emmanuel and Bell. In addition, printing houses have already started printing a special prospectus for pilgrims, which will describe in detail the history of Notre-Dame de Paris, its legends and secrets.

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

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:

Romanesque Cathedral
Carolingian Cathedral
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 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 XYIII century, the Convention issued a decree according to which believers are obliged to pay money for the needs of the revolution, otherwise the temple will 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 kings were discovered during construction work ah at the end of the twentieth 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 structure 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. Interior The temple is made of gray-steel 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 Associated with this place, there are interesting exhibits here - art objects, utensils. Through the museum you can go to the Treasury, which houses one of the main Christian shrines - part Life-giving cross and the Savior's Crown of Thorns. Church vestments, utensils, paintings, manuscripts, and other items of artistic and historical value are exhibited.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Monday - Friday from 08:00 to 18:45
Saturday - Sunday from 08:00 to 19:15

Treasury:

Monday - Friday from 09:30 to 18:00
Saturday from 09:30 to 18:30; Sunday from 13:30 to 18:30

Cost of visit (euros):

adults - 4; from 6 to 12 years - 1; children under 6 years old - free; up to 26 years old - 2.

There are always a lot of people in this legendary place, so you will have to stand in line before entering the cathedral.

Where is it and how to get there

The cathedral is located on Place Parvy Notre-Dame, in the eastern part of the Ile de la Cité, 75004, Paris, France.

You can get there:

by metro - to the stop "Chalete", "Isle de la Cité" or "Hotel de Ville";
by bus, routes 21, 38, 47, 85 and 96.

If you are lucky enough to visit France and its beautiful capital, you cannot help but admire the Notre Dame Cathedral; it is a majestic and unforgettable sight, the impressions of which will last a lifetime. This is not only beautiful architecture, but also the spiritual center of Catholicism.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on the map

Notre Dame Cathedral, or Notre Dame de Paris, is perhaps the most recognizable example of Gothic architecture. Its appearance is familiar to almost everyone, as is its name, because the cathedral is immortalized in many works of art. Along with Montmartre, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the main ones that almost no tourist can afford to miss. Every year the cathedral is visited by approximately 13.5 million (!) people. Notre Dame attracts travelers not only with its unique architecture - the cathedral is shrouded in a mystical aura, full of secrets, legends and amazing stories.

Notre Dame through the centuries: the history of the famous cathedral

On the site of the Notre Dame Cathedral that has survived to this day, sanctuaries have been erected since ancient times. Back in Roman times, there was a temple of Jupiter here. Then the first Christian basilica of Paris appeared here, built on the foundation of a Roman temple. And in 1163, construction began on the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral that we know.

For centuries Notre Dame has played vital role in the life of Paris and all of France. French kings were crowned and crowned here. The funeral services of prominent sons of France were held here.

But during the French Revolution this rich history was almost a death sentence for the cathedral: the building miraculously survived! The Jacobins were eager to demolish the “stronghold of obscurantism,” but the Parisians themselves stood up for their main shrine, collecting a huge ransom for it. The building was preserved, but it was “mocked” quite a bit: in particular, Notre Dame lost its famous spire placed on the roof, almost all of its bells were melted down to make cannons, and many sculptures were destroyed. The sculptures of the kings of Judah, located above the three portals of the facade, were especially damaged: the statues were beheaded. And the cathedral itself was declared the Temple of Reason.

Since 1802, services began to be held in Notre Dame again, and three years later it was here that the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine took place. However, despite the significance of the cathedral, Notre Dame was in extremely dilapidated condition and was in desperate need of restoration. Who knows if this building would have survived to this day if not for... Victor Hugo and his famous novel “Notre Dame Cathedral”!

After the book was published in 1830, Parisians remembered their architectural and historical treasure and finally began to think about its preservation and restoration. By that time, the building was almost 7 centuries old! In the 19th century, under the skillful leadership of the architect Duke, the first serious restoration of the cathedral was carried out. At the same time, Notre Dame also acquired the famous gallery of chimeras, which today so impresses guests of Paris.

And in 2013, Paris celebrated the 850th anniversary of Notre Dame. As a gift, the cathedral received new bells and a restored organ.

Notre-Dame de Paris contains two Christian relics: one of the fragments of the Crown of Thorns, which, according to legend, was placed on the head of Jesus Christ, as well as one of the nails with which Roman legionnaires nailed Christ to the cross.

“Stone Symphony”: the architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral

The majestic and monumental building of the cathedral is a true masterpiece of early Gothic architecture. Particularly impressive are its pointed cross vaults, beautiful stained glass windows and rose windows, and entrance portals decorated with sculptures. In this building, one admires both the architectural harmony and the breath of history, which is felt in its entire appearance. It was not for nothing that Victor Hugo called Notre Dame Cathedral a “symphony of stones.”

Notre Dame de Paris from outside

The main one attracts the most attention, western façade of the cathedral– it is one of the most recognizable architectural images. Visually, the façade is divided into three parts, both vertically and horizontally. At the bottom there are three portals (monumental entrances), each of which has its own name: portal of the Last Judgment(central), Portal of Our Lady(left) and St. Anne's portal(right). The names correspond to the scenes depicted in amazingly beautiful sculptural compositions on the arches of the portals.

In the center of the portal of the Last Judgment is the figure of Christ. Below him are the dead rising from their graves, awakened by the call of angelic trumpets. By left hand Christ - sinners going to hell. On the right are the righteous going to Paradise.

Above the portals there is the so-called “ gallery of kings", represented by 28 statues of Jewish rulers. It suffered the most during the revolution, and during the great restoration in the 19th century, all the destroyed statues were replaced with new ones.

It is curious that already in 1977, during construction work under one of the Parisian houses, original sculptures that were lost during the years of the revolution were found. It subsequently turned out that the future owner of the house, at the height of the revolutionary unrest, bought several statues, saying that he needed them for the foundation. In fact, this man kept the sculptures under his house - apparently, “until better times.” Today these statues are kept in the Cluny Museum.

From the western façade you can see two bell towers, soaring up. By the way, although at first glance they seem symmetrical, upon closer inspection you can notice a slight, subtle asymmetry: the left tower is somewhat more massive than the right one.

If possible, walk around the perimeter of the cathedral to see and side facades, their impressive entrance portals with masterfully executed reliefs, and also consider eastern apse of the temple(altar ledge) with amazingly beautiful carved vaulted arches.

Inner space

The first thing that catches your eye inside the cathedral is the unusual lighting. Light penetrates into the building through numerous multi-colored stained glass windows, creating a bizarre play of light on the arches of the central nave. In this case, most of the light falls on the altar. Such a thoughtful lighting system creates a special mystical atmosphere.

Instead of massive walls, the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has vaulted arches and columns. This organization of space was a real discovery of the Gothic style and made it possible to decorate the cathedral with many colored stained glass windows.

The central nave of Notre Dame seems huge. The scale of the cathedral is connected with its original purpose - after all, according to the creators’ idea, it was supposed to accommodate the entire population of Paris! And Notre Dame really coped with this task perfectly at a time when the number of residents of the French capital did not exceed 10 thousand people. And all this population lived on the island of Cité, where the cathedral is located.

You can learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the Ile de la Cité, where Paris was born, in our audio tour ““, available in the Travelry app.

What to look for at Notre Dame Cathedral

On the western side of the cathedral is the pride of Notre Dame - a large antique organ, created back in the 15th century! And behind it one can see one of the three stained glass windows rose shaped windows, which are true Gothic masterpieces and have decorated the cathedral since the 12th century.

In front of the altar there is a fenced off space intended for priests and church choristers and called mansions. The choir fence deserves special attention - it is skillfully decorated with colorful sculptural compositions depicting gospel scenes, created back in the 13th-14th centuries! Their color scheme was restored during restoration in the 19th century.

Your attention will also be attracted by numerous interesting sculptures, decorating Notre Dame Cathedral. In particular, the baroque sculpture “Pieta” behind the main altar.

In our We'll walk through Notre Dame Cathedral, focusing on the highlights and learning about the history and design of the building.

Treasury

On the river side, a small extension adjoins Notre Dame, which deserves special attention. After all, it is in it that the temple treasury is located, where the most important Christian relics are kept (including the legendary Crown of Thorns, which, according to legend, came to Paris back in 1239!), as well as valuable items of church use, which are elegant works of art. The collection is very rich and varied.

Interesting facts about Notre Dame Cathedral

In 1572, a very unusual wedding ceremony took place in Notre Dame Cathedral. Henry of Navarre ( future king Henry IV) married Margaret de Valois. The bride was a Catholic, and nothing prevented her from being in the temple, but Henry at that time was a Huguenot, and therefore was forced to hold his own wedding... on the porch, in front of the entrance to the temple.

It was in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris that the legendary trial over Joan of Arc, which took place after her execution and completely exonerated the French heroine.

The famous gargoyles that decorate the cathedral have not only a decorative, but also a very practical significance: they are part of the gutters that protect the building from the effects of rainwater. In fact, their very name comes from the French gargouille - “drainpipe, gutter.” Designed as grotesque characters, gargoyles and chimeras also symbolize human sins and evil spirits that are banished from their temple.

If you look at the tall spire that soars high above Notre Dame Cathedral, you may notice the figures of the twelve apostles located at the base of the spire. A curious detail: all the apostles are looking around, and only the Apostle Thomas turned to the spire. Since the Middle Ages, he was considered the patron saint of builders and architects, and in his image the architect Duke, who carried out the restoration in the 19th century and restored the spire, portrayed himself! That is why the Apostle Thomas examines the structure so carefully.

On the roof of his sacristy of Notre Dame Cathedral (this is a small extension on the south side) there are beehives!

You will learn many more interesting facts about the Notre Dame Cathedral and other attractions of the Ile de la Cité from our audio tour “”.

What's nearby around Notre Dame Cathedral

On the square in front of Notre Dame is located " zero kilometer"- a small bronze star mounted in the square. It is from this point that the length of all highways in the country is measured.

Also on the square in front of the cathedral is archaeological crypt (Crypt of Notre-Da de Paris), which is a museum of archaeological artifacts found in the vicinity of Notre Dame during excavations. The exhibits cover a wide span of history - almost 20 centuries, from antiquity to the 19th century.

In the southern part of the square in front of the cathedral, Notre Dame sits on horseback King Charlemagne, ruled the Franks in the 8th and early 9th centuries. A monument to him appeared here in the second half of the 19th century.

The eastern apse of Notre Dame Cathedral opens onto a cozy shady garden on the banks of the Seine, called John XXIII Square. It is from here that you can see the beautiful openwork Gothic arches of the cathedral's apse and its spire.

A little further, on the easternmost tip of the Ile de la Cité, lurks another tiny square -Ile de France. It houses the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation, in memory of the 200,000 French people sent to concentration camps by the Nazis. And near the memorial there is a beautiful and well-kept rose garden.

Not far from the cathedral, on the picturesque embankment of Eaux Fleurs, there is a house in which the famous lovers Pierre Abelard and Heloise once lived (house no. 9).

As you can see, not only in the Notre Dame Cathedral itself, but also around it, you can spend many intense and educational hours, looking at the surrounding buildings, studying ancient monuments and relaxing in nearby public gardens. Well, if you go a little further, other historical and architectural treasures of the Ile de la Cité will open before you: the Chapel of Saint-Chapelle, the Palace of Justice, the Conciergerie Castle and other interesting sights. They are included in our route , in which many fascinating stories and interesting stories await you.

Notre Dame: practical information

How to get there

From remote areas of Paris, the most convenient way to get to Notre Dame Cathedral is by metro - there are stations near the cathedral Cite And Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame.

And from nearby areas (for example, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th districts) it is quite convenient to walk. The Ile de la Cité, on which the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is located, is connected to both the right and left banks of the Seine by ancient bridges.

Opening hours and cost

Cathedral open daily on weekdays from 7.45 to 18.45, on Sat. and all from 7.45 to 19.15.

Treasury of Notre Dame Cathedral: Mon.-Fri. 9.30 – 18.00, Sat. 9.30 – 18.30, Sun. 13.30 – 18.30.

Notre Dame is an active church with free entry. But to visit the Treasury you will have to buy a ticket(€ 4 full, € 2 reduced).

Cathedral towers and observation deck:

From April 1 to September 30 - 10.00 - 18.30.
From July 1 to August 31 - on Fridays and Saturdays open until 23.00.
From October 1 to March 31 – 10.00 – 17.30.

Entry is closed 45 minutes before closing.

Cost to climb the tower: €10 (a general ticket with a visit to the Conciergerie is possible - €15). However, you must be prepared to climb 422 steps to get to the observation deck with a magnificent panorama.

Notre Dame de Paris, also known as or simply Notre Dame, is a historic Catholic cathedral in the eastern part of the Ile de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and is one of the largest and most famous church buildings in the world. The naturalism of his sculptures and stained glass differs from earlier Romanesque architecture.

As the cathedral of the Archbishop of Paris, Notre Dame contains the see or official throne of the Archbishop of Paris, who is currently the cardinal Andre Ven-Trois. The cathedral treasury is famous for its tomb, which contains some of the most important relics of first-class Catholicism, including the crown of thorns, a fragment of the true cross and holy nails.

In the 1790s, Notre Dame was desecrated during the radical phase of the French Revolution, when much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. Extensive restoration led by Viollet-le-Duc began in 1845. And in 1991, a project for further restoration and maintenance was launched.

Architecture of Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris was the first building to use arched buttresses. The building was originally designed without buttresses around the choir and nave, but after construction began more thin walls became higher and higher and moved outward under tension. In response, the cathedral's architects built supports around the outer walls, and later buildings continued the pattern. The total area is 5500 m² (internal surface is 4800 m²).

Many small individually crafted statues were placed in a circle outside to serve as supports for the columns and to drain water runoff. Among them are the famous gargoyles that decorate water drains and chimeras. The statues were originally painted, as was much of the exterior. The paint has worn off. The cathedral was practically completed by 1345. It has a narrow climb of 387 steps to the roof of several spiral staircases; You can see its famous bell and gargoyles in close proximity as you climb, and you'll also have stunning views of Paris when you reach the top.

History of construction

In 1660, when the church in Paris became the "Parisian Church of the Kings of Europe", Bishop Maurice de Sully considered the previous Parisian cathedral, Saint-Etienne (St. Stephen), which was founded in the 4th century, unworthy of such high role, and that was demolished soon after he assumed the title of Bishop of Paris. According to most major myths, this project was received with suspicion; Archaeological excavations in the 20th century suggested that the Merovingian cathedral, which was replaced by Sully, was a massive structure, with five aisles to the nave and a façade 36 meters wide. It appears that the bishop therefore exaggerated the defects of the original structure to help justify reconstruction in the new style. According to legend, Sully had a vision of a magnificent new Parisian church and sketched it on the ground in front of the original church.

To begin construction, the bishop demolished several houses and created a new road to transport materials for the rest of the cathedral. Construction began in 1163, during the reign of Louis VII, and opinions differed as to whether Sully or Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone for the cathedral. However, both were at the ceremony. Bishop de Sully continued to devote much of his life and wealth to the construction of the cathedral. Construction of the choir took place from 1163 to 1177, and the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182 (it is normal that the eastern part new church was completed first, so that a temporary wall could be erected at the western end of the choir, allowing it to be used without interruption while the rest of the building was slowly formed). After the death of Bishop Maurice de Sully in 1196, his successor, Eudes de Sully (no relation) oversaw the completion of the transepts and pushed forward the construction of the nave, which was close to completion at the time of his own death in 1208. The west front was also laid out at this stage, although it was not completed until around the mid-1240s. During the entire construction period, a large number of architects worked on the site, as evidenced by the different styles at different heights western front and towers. Between 1210 and 1220, the construction of the rose window floor and large halls below the tower was supervised by a fourth architect.

The most significant changes in design occurred in the mid-13th century, when the transepts were reconstructed in the latest Rayonnant style; in the late 1240s Jean de Chelles added a gabled entrance to the north transept, which was completed by a spectacular rose window. Soon after (from 1258) Pierre de Montreuil executed a similar scheme on the south transept. Both of these entrances were richly decorated with sculpture; the south portal was decorated with scenes from the life of St. Stephen and various local saints, and the north with scenes of the infancy of Christ and the stories of Theophilus in the tympanum, with a very important statue of the Virgin and Child in the dressing table.

Construction time of the cathedral:

1160 – Maurice de Sully (named Bishop of Paris) orders the demolition of the original building;
1163 – the foundation of Notre-Dame de Paris is laid; construction begins;
1182 – apse and choir completed;
1196 – bishop dies Maurice de Sully;
1200 – work begins on the western façade;
1208 – bishop dies Eudes de Sully. The construction of the nave is nearing completion;
1225 – western façade completed;
1250 – western towers and northern rose window completed;
1245–1260s - the transepts were rebuilt in the Rayonnant style by Jean de Chelles, then by Pierre de Montreuil;
1250–1345 – remaining elements completed.

Crypt

Archaeological crypt of Notre-Dame de Paris was created in 1965 to protect a number of historical ruins discovered during construction work and spanning the period from the earliest settlement of Paris to the present day. The crypt is managed by the Carnavalet Museum and contains an extensive exhibition, detailed models of architecture from different time periods, which can be seen in the ruins. Main feature is the still visible underfloor heating that was installed during the Roman occupation.

Changes, vandalism and restorations

In 1548, rioting Huguenots damaged parts of Notre Dame, believing them to be idolatrous. During the reign Louis XIV And Louis XV The cathedral has undergone significant changes as part of an ongoing attempt to modernize cathedrals across Europe. Gorgeous statue of saint christopher, which stood near the pillar at the western entrance since 1413, was destroyed in 1786. Tombs and stained glass windows were destroyed. However, the north and south rose windows escaped this fate.

Photo Henry fifth next to the Gargoyle, made Charles Negre in 1853

In 1793, during the French Revolution, the cathedral was dedicated to the cult of Reason, and then to the cult of the Supreme Being. During this time, many of the cathedral's treasures were destroyed or looted. The 13th-century spire was demolished, and the statues of the biblical kings of Judah (mistaken to be the kings of France) located on the cathedral's façade ledge were beheaded. Many of the heads were found during excavations in 1977 in nearby areas and on display at the Cluny Museum. For a time, Lady Liberty replaced the Virgin Mary on several altars. The large bells of the cathedral managed to avoid being melted down. The cathedral began to be used as a warehouse for storing food.

A controversial restoration program began in 1845 under the control of Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. Viollet-le-Duc was responsible for the restoration of several dozen castles, palaces and cathedrals throughout France. The restoration took twenty-five years and included a taller and more ornate reconstruction of the spire, as well as the addition of chimeras in the Gallery of Chimeras. Viollet-le-Duc always signed his works with a bat, the wing structure of which mostly resembles a Gothic vault (see Roctailade Castle).

Second World War caused more damage. Some of the stained glass windows on the lower tier were hit by stray bullets. They were redesigned after the war, but are now playful and modern geometric patterns rather than ancient scenes from the Bible.

In 1991, a large-scale program was launched to maintenance and a restoration that was supposed to last 10 years but is still ongoing as of 2010, cleaning and restoring old sculptures is an extremely delicate matter. Around 2014, most of the lighting was upgraded to LED.
Organ and organists

Despite the fact that many organs were installed in the cathedral long ago, the earliest models were not completed. The first more famous organ was completed in the 18th century by the famous builder Francois-Henri Clicquot. Some of Clicquot's organ pipes continue to sound today. The organ was almost completely rebuilt and expanded in the 19th century by Aristide Cavaillé-Colle.

The position of titular organist ("chief" or "chief" organist) of Notre-Dame de Paris is considered one of the most prestigious organist positions in France, along with titular organist of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, Cavaillé-Cohl's largest instrument.

The organ has 7,374 pipes, approximately 900 of which are classified as historical. It has 110 registers, 5 rows of 56 keys and 32 pedals. In December 1992, the two-year restoration of the organ was completed; it was fully computerized within three LANs (local area networks). The restoration also included a number of additions, notably two more horizontal pipes, completing the instrument in the Cavaillé-Cohl style. The organ of Notre-Dame de Paris is unique in France due to its five completely independent pipes.

Among the most famous organists at Notre-Dame de Paris was Louis Vierne, holding this position from 1900 to 1937. During his stay, the tonality of the Cavaillé-Cohl organ was changed, especially in 1902 and 1932. Leonce de Saint Martin held this position between 1932 and 1954. Pierre Cochereau began further changes (many of which had already been planned by Vierne), including the electrification of instrumentation between 1959 and 1963. The original Cavaillé-Cohl console (which is now located near the organ choir) was replaced between 1965 and 1972 by a new console in the Anglo-American style with the addition of additional stops, changes were made to the pedal compartment, a reconstruction of mixed stops, a neo-Baroque solo keyboard, and finally the addition of three horizontal pipes in the Iberian style.

After Cochereau's sudden death in 1984, 4 new titled organists were appointed to Notre-Dame de Paris in 1985: Jean-Pierre Leger, Olivier Latry, Yves Devern (who died in 1990) and Philippe Lefebvre. This was reminiscent of the 18th-century cathedral practice of each of the four organists playing for three months of the year.

Bells of Notre Dame Cathedral

The new bells of Notre-Dame de Paris on public display in the nave in February 2013

There are 10 bells in the cathedral. The largest, Emmanuel, 1681, is located in the south tower and weighs just over 13 tons; it strikes the time and also announces various events and activities. This bell always starts ringing first, at least five minutes before the others. Until recently there were 4 additional 19th century bells on wheels in the north tower. These bells were intended to replace nine that were removed from the cathedral during the Revolution and were rung during various festivals and events. Bells were once rung by hand, before electric motors allowed them to operate without manual labor. When it was discovered that the size of the bells caused the entire building to vibrate, threatening its structural integrity, they were removed from use. The bells also had external hammers for melody from a small clavier.

On the night of August 24, 1944, when Cite was taken by an advance column of French and Allied tank troops and part of the Resistance, Emmanuel's bell announced the city's complete liberation.

In early 2012, as part of a €2 million project, the 4 old bells in the north tower were found unsatisfactory and were removed. Original plan was that they would be melted and new bells would be made from this material. However, legal problems led to the bells being kept at the foundry as a last resort. By early 2013, they were still at the plant until their fate was sealed. A set of 8 new bells was cast in the same factory in Normandy where the old 4 bells were cast in 1856. At the same time a much larger bell was cast in the Netherlands and hangs with Emmanuel in the south tower. The 9 new bells, which were delivered to the cathedral at the same time (January 31, 2013), are designed to replicate the quality and tone of the original temple bells.

Name	Weight	Diameter	Note
Emmanuel	13271 kg	261 cm	E♭ 2
Marie	6023 kg	206.5 cm	G♯ 2
Gabriel	4162 kg	182.8 cm	A♯ 2
Anne Genevieve	3477 kg	172.5 cm	B 2
Denis	2502 kg	153.6 cm	C♯ 3
Marcel	1925 kg	139.3 cm	D♯ 3
Etienne	1494 kg	126.7 cm	E♯ 3
Benoit-Joseph	1309 kg	120.7 cm	F♯ 3
Maurice	1011 kg	109.7 cm	G♯ 3
Jean-Marie	782 kg	99.7 cm	A♯ 3

Own

According to the 1905 law, Notre Dame de Paris is one of the seventy churches of Paris, built before this year, which are the property of the French state. While the building itself is owned by the state, the Catholic Church is the designated beneficiary, having the exclusive right to use it for religious purposes without a term. The bishop's diocese is responsible for staff salaries, security, heating and cleaning, and ensuring that the cathedral is open to visitors free of charge. The diocese does not receive subsidies from the French state.

The symbol of Paris is now the Eiffel Tower, but the “heart” of Paris is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris. It was with him that we began our acquaintance with the French capital.

The cathedral, 35 meters high, stands on the Seine River on the Ile de la Cité. It stands in a majestic bulk in the center of the city, the height of most of the houses in which is about 20 meters.

Notre-Dame de Paris was built in just under 2 centuries, from 1163 to 1345, although its main altar was consecrated already in 1182.

The portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptures on biblical subjects.

The Last Judgment is depicted at the central entrance to Notre-Dame de Paris.

From the side the cathedral looks quite stern. At the top sit gargoyles that have turned green with time, and the stained glass windows of the cathedral from the outside look like dirty windows, and behind bars too.

Stained glass windows located high up are no longer so protected and look delicate. By the way, from the inside of the cathedral they look simply magnificent! But more on that below.

Behind Notre Dame Cathedral there is a small park.

In the center of the park is a statue of Our Lady.

This park is worth visiting at least to see back cathedral

It is significantly different from the front facade that most tourists look at.

For example, this spire is not visible from the square in front of the cathedral.

Let's go back. On the banks of the Seine in front of Notre Dame Cathedral stands a monument to Charlemagne.

We go inside the cathedral. He's impressive. They say that the cathedral was built in such a way that it could accommodate all 10,000 inhabitants of medieval Paris.

The cathedral is active. We came to the end of the service. By the way, tourists are not prohibited from filming in the Cathedral. They just ask you to do it without flash, so as not to disturb anyone.

And here are the legendary stained glass windows of Notre Dame de Paris.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, but there is a treasury in it, the entrance to which requires a fee.

Various relics, valuables, fragments of relics and especially expensive church items are collected here.

An interesting Catholic tradition is to install a Nativity scene in churches.

In the center, as it should be, is a stable with the baby Jesus and the wise men with gifts.

A separate part of Notre Dame Cathedral is intended more for tourists. For example, there is a model of a cathedral.

Anyone can light a candle here. The candles are right in the boxes with the cost of the candle written on them. You take it, put the coin in the box, and put a candle on it.

There is in Notre Dame de Paris and orthodox icon, donated to the cathedral by Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', Alexy II.

You can climb the towers of the cathedral and the famous gallery of chimeras. To do this, you really have to stand in line under the walls, looking at the hanging gargoyles.

The queue moves slowly, since the staircase to the towers of the cathedral is very narrow and in one of the places it is necessary to go up and down the same staircase on which two people cannot pass each other.