A Gothic Cathedral located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in Paris, France - Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris is also referred as Notre Dame de Paris, or simply Notre Dame. One of the major tourist attractions in Paris, Notre Dame is acclaimed to be one of the finest embodiments of French Gothic architecture. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris.
The imposing structure of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris looms over the Seine and the Ile de la Cité as well as the eventful history of Paris. The spot where the cathedral stands today once featured a Roman Temple dedicated to Jupiter, followed by a Christian basilica and thereafter a Romanesque church.
Maurice de Sully – the then bishop of Paris, planned for construction of a new cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Though construction of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris began in 1163, yet the cathedral was finally completed in 1345. Through its portals, paintings, and stained glass, the church depicts the stories of the Bible.
The interiors of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris was thoroughly renovated during the middle of 13th century, with the small clerestory windows built in early Gothic style were expanded and filled with High Gothic tracery. Originally the interior featured a four-story elevation typically found in Early Gothic churches; the triforium bore large round openings in place of normal arcades. But this restoration resulted in the unusual triforium being removed.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France boasts of a checkered history, which mentions that crusaders prayed in the church before departing on their holy wars, and polyphonic music evolved here. During the French revolution, the cathedral was pillaged, as were several other cathedrals all over France. Natives mistook statues of saints for those of their rulers, and brought them down in fit of rage. Much of the other prized possessions of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris were either devastated or plundered. Only the great bells of the cathedral escaped being destroyed. It was Viollet-le-Duc - one of the most famous architects of France, who later restored Notre Dame and saved the church from destruction.
The present structure of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris appears to be High Gothic outwardly. Some of the prominent features of the church are the abundance of colonnettes and tracery screens, huge rose windows, horizontal and vertical arrangement of the facades, and the delicate flying buttresses.
There are 5 bells within Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. The south tower holds the great bourdon bell, Emmanuel, which weighs about 13 tons. The bell is rung on special occasions. There are 4 other bells on wheels in the North Tower, and these are swing chimed.
Flightshotelstours.com gives detailed information on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France and on other places of Sightseeing in Paris, France.
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