🏰 Notre-Dame Cathedral
France
About This Sacred Site
Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and one of the most visited monuments in Europe. Situated on the Île de la Cité in the Seine, its construction began in 1163 and was completed in 1345. The cathedral is renowned for its stunning rose windows, flying buttresses, and gargoyles. After a devastating fire in April 2019 that destroyed the spire and much of the roof, a remarkable reconstruction effort restored it, and it reopened in December 2024.
Key Facts
- •Construction lasted from 1163 to 1345, spanning nearly 200 years
- •The three rose windows are among the largest in the world at 13 meters in diameter
- •The 2019 fire destroyed the spire and two-thirds of the roof
- •Reopened in December 2024 after a remarkable 5-year reconstruction
- •Contains what is believed to be the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus
Location
Coordinates: 48.8530, 2.3499
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