Notre Dame on Fire!!!

the ND damage reminds me of visiting Macao many moons ago and sitting on the step of their cathedral - much smaller but just the front shell left - fire - people really should take better care of their properties!!

I must admit that if arson is found to be the culprit I will also personally be very sad for the lose of a great art piece even though I am not a catholic. I also feel for the blood, sweat and tear that went into its building?
 

Things are not as bad as they could have been. Because of the restoration work going on much of the valuable art work had been removed as well as a lot of the stone carvings. Detailed drawings had been made that will be very helpful when it comes time to restore what the fire has taken away.

Two of the three rose windows are OK, the third had had its medieval glass melt from the heat. The bell towers at the front of largely undamaged. The spire and roof of the back section is destroyed but there is hope for the pipe organs, of which there are several.
 
It is definitely a tragic loss but I have mixed feelings about restoring it.

The Dresden Frauenkirche was destroyed in bombing raids during WWII and rebuilt as a monument to peace and reconciliation.

The result is beautiful but in my mind, it's still a replica.

Frauenkirche-dresden-church-before-after-CC-David.jpg


Sometimes I think it is best to let things go and remember them as they were.

The hard part for me is deciding where to draw the line.
 

Apparently most of the structure is still generally intact, with the exception of the roof. Repairing it will cause some problems. Do you repair it with 12th Century technology or 21st Century? Do you use massive timber elements or steel? I've heard that they may be able to have services in the cathedral in two years, and as may as 20-30 years of rebuilding???
 
It didn't hit me until this article how rich these French luxury goods tycoons are! Many billions. Just one of these conglomerates could easily rebuild the whole cathedral!

I read some statues had already been removed for cleaning.restoration last week (first time in 100 years), so they were saved from damage.
 

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