News: Notre Dame Cathedral, one of France’s most iconic landmarks, recently reopened after five years of restoration following the 2019 fire.
About Notre Dame Cathedral
- It is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on an island in the Seine River in Paris, France.
- The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
- It is regarded as one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture.
- It contains important religious and historical artifacts, including the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus during his crucifixion.
- It also houses France’s largest musical instrument, The Great Organ.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History of Cathedral
- Notre-Dame is thought to have been built on the site of a former Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter.
- The construction of Notre-Dame began in 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was mostly completed by 1260.
- During the French Revolution, its spiritual role changed significantly, as it was converted into the “Temple of Reason” and later the “Temple of the Supreme Being.”
- When Napoleon Bonaparte became ruler of France in 1801, he selected Notre-Dame for his coronation and vowed to restore it.
Architecture – Notre-Dame remains one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture , featuring soaring spires, intricate stained glass windows, and impressive flying buttresses.
About Gothic Architecture
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French architecture in India
- French architecture in India is a blend of Indian and French styles.
- The most distinctive feature of French architecture in India is the use of columns to support the roof and divide the building into sections.
- Key elements of the Indo-French architectural style include dormers, shutter windows, rounded towers or gables, sloping roofs, and chimneys.
- French Architects like Le Corbusier laid the foundations of modern urban planning in India.
- Examples of Indo-French Architecture Chandernagor, West Bengal– Governor’s House, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and the Church of St. Francis Xavier.
