Notre Dame’s New Spire After Devastating Fire Emerges for The First Time

Photo 302890075 © Claudine Weber Hilty | Dreamstime.com

Paris’ skyline is once again crowing with the silhouette of Notre Dame Cathedral’s spire, a beacon of resilience and renewal following the tragic fire of April 2019. The first sighting of the structure’s new spire, complete with a golden rooster and cross, offers Parisians and the world a preview of the landmark’s rebirth.

Perched between the cathedral’s two towers, the new golden rooster is not just a weathervane but a symbol, reimagined as a phoenix with flaming feathers. This design choice by chief architect Philippe Villeneuve reflects a narrative of resurrection, with the bird standing over 96 meters (315 feet) high, embodying a “fire of resurrection” that signifies Notre Dame’s comeback from the devastation.

Scaffolding that shrouded the top of Notre Dame cathedral following a devastating fire in April 2019 is being removed, marking a milestone in its reconstruction. As the shell at the summit has been taken down, it has revealed the cathedral’s new spire for the first time. pic.twitter.com/8JFTBmfYOP

— The Associated Press (@AP) February 13, 2024

The cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and a symbol of Christianity, is on track to reopen its doors on December 8, 2024. Despite the anticipation, it will remain closed to the public during the Paris Olympics in July and August 2024, a time when the city will welcome millions for the Summer Games.

In a ceremony filled with hope and reverence, Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich blessed the new golden rooster before its ascent to the top of the spire. The original emblem, though damaged, survived the fire and is destined for museum display, serving as a tangible link to the cathedral’s storied past.

VIDEO: The dismantling of the scaffolding around the newly built spire of Notre-Dame de Paris, the original of which was destroyed in a fire in 2019, is underway and is expected to take a few months. The spire should be fully visible for the Paris Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/6pbIYK4aDF

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 14, 2024

The ambitious reconstruction of Notre Dame involves not only the restoration of the spire but also innovative safety measures like an anti-fire misting system beneath the roof. The project, costing around €700 million (US$750 million) so far and funded largely by donations, has mobilized approximately 500 workers daily.

This revival has also paved the way for new discoveries, like a lead coffin, as well as inspired plans for a dedicated museum and a contest to design new stained-glass windows.

[via CBS News and Smithsonian Magazine, cover photo 302890075 © Claudine Weber Hilty | Dreamstime.com]