The cross at the apse of Notre-Dame, which survived the 2019 fire, was reinstalled on Friday after careful restoration by ironworkers from Normandy. Measuring 12 meters and weighing 1.5 tons, it was the only part of the choir roof to survive the flames.
Around 250 companies and hundreds of craftsmen, architects, and professionals are working on the restoration project, aiming to reopen the cathedral in December this year.
Reuters
Reuters
The 15th April 2019 fire caused the collapse of Notre Dame’s spire and part of its roof. Five years later, significant progress has been made, including the reinstallation of the spire’s lead-covered needle.
Much of the cathedral remains encased in scaffolding, which could take weeks or even months to dismantle. The spire alone is surrounded by 70,000 pieces of scaffolding, weighing a total of 600 tons.
The 2019 fire dealt a severe blow to Notre-Dame, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Christianity that welcomed twelve million visitors annually.
People worldwide have pledged over $1 billion to rebuild the cathedral. Investigators believe the devastating fire was most likely caused by an electrical short circuit.
People around the world have pledged more than $1 billion to rebuild Notre Dame.
Investigators believe an electrical short circuit most likely caused the devastating fire.
