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The Notre-Dame de Paris, or simply the Notre Dame Cathedral, is a colossal gothic monument found in the 4th arrondissement in the Île de la Cité to be more specific. It is one of the most readily recognizable monuments in Paris, and it’s generally regarded as a masterpiece at a time when Gothic architecture was all the rage. The Cathedral was built on the site of an older one that was displayed. Since the time of its opening, the cathedral became the subject of talk across Paris and beyond.

The Notre Dame de Paris was commissioned by Maurice de Sully who was a Bishop of Paris around the middle of the 12th century. The construction of the church started in 1160, and was completed in 1345. Because of the long construction period, Notre Dame was designed by different architects, and this is easily detected in the different styles notable in different heights. The cathedral has a dome and a large spire, and flying buttresses. While they help define the front façade of the church, they were not an included in the original plan. But when the walls felt week, they were added to increase the fortification so that they could retain the strength to last many centuries. During the French Revolution, the cathedral faced a similar fate with other churches of its kind- they were subject to looting and destruction. It was briefly converted at this time to be a place of cult, but it was restored in 1845 under the commission of Napoleon III. It took 25 years for the reconstruction to be complete. In the beginning, the results of the reconstruction were questioned due to the addition of parts that were not an initial part of the church. One of these was the spire. Over time the design came to be accepted. The second restoration program was in the early 1990s. After a decade of cleaning and cleansing, the cathedral was anew with its architecture gleaming and its sculptures in their original color and radiance.

With the royalty of its use and statue still showing in its gothic magnificence, The Notre Dame is still upheld in its enormousness. Its one of the iconic monuments in Paris and a must see for any visitor new to the city. While the gothic architecture is enough to draw you in, there is so much more that it has to offer. The west front offers the two towers, with the south one holding Emmanuel, the famous bell that is over 4 centuries old. The three entrances or portals exude the beauty of early gothic art. The Right one is dedicated to St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. The Left one is dedicated to the Virgin, and the Centre one is dedicated or rather themed as the Last Judgement.

The Cathedral retains its gothic appeal even as you tread into the interior, with the stained glass windows providing a marvellous sight. While the work of stained glass is without a doubt interesting it was not amajor component in the cathedrals design. The most awe inspiring stained glass work is seen in the St Chapelle. Nevertheless, the work done on the West Rose window is undoubtedly remarkable. The Gargoyle sculptures erected on the top of the church around the two towers can be seen from a distance. There is an organ available at the church, with 7800 pipes. It was restored in the early 90s.

Everything about Notre Dame Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary is amazing. It showcases perfection in gothic architecture, and a trend setter in adopting the early century architectural style. Its elaborate size places it among the biggest cathedrals in the whole of Paris, and its front facade has made the monument one of the most popularly known attractions in Europe. Victor Hugo helped make Notre Dame a household name in his acclaimed penning of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is an interesting masterpiece to say the least. The Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris is listed as a historic monument by the City of Paris and remains one of the top attractions in the city, sharing a position with the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.