The Treasures Of Notre Dame De Paris

On 15th April 2019, the world watched in horror as Notre Dame burnt. The spire and the oak room collapsed after a spectacular fire that destroyed a large part of Notre Dame. This catastrophic fire burned for several hours and it took more than 400 firemen to contain the blaze. However, the renovation has been announced by the French government and only two days after this tragic event, more than €800 million were already raised to rebuild the Church.

The iconic and famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is the definition of priceless treasures. Home to some of the most unique objects, dating back to landmark events in the history of mankind, the Notre Dame is visited by several tourists in Paris and held in high regard by the locals. Some of the treasures within the confine of this Church are -

Crown of Thorns -

The most precious treasure of the Notre Dame is a relic revered as the ‘Crown of Thorns’ worn by Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. The Crown of Thorns is Paris’ equivalent of the Crown Jewels and is encased in a gold and glass container commissioned by Napoleon.

Joan of Arc -

Jeanne d'Arc aka the Maid of Orléans was a peasant girl living in medieval France. As believed, she was commanded to lead France to victory in its long-standing rivalry war with England. Although she was misjudged, tortured and burnt at the stake by the Anglo-Burgundians, Joan of Arc was later canonized as a Roman Catholic saint. The Notre Dame cathedral houses a statue of hers.

The Crucifixion -

It is a realistic bronze statue of Christ on the cross. The statue in Notre Dame is held on a tall marble pedestal and is fixed to the wall with several candles placed beneath it as a mark of devotion.

The Last Supper

Before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ sat down for supper with his disciples to prepare them about his impending departure from the world and make a prediction about Judas’ betrayal. This epic scene was captured in the form of a bas-relief by Jean Ravy in the 14th century.

St. Denis -

St. Denis was the first bishop of Paris in the 3rd century. He was arrested by the rulers and decapitated on a mountain top for upsetting the local pagans. However, it is believed that the saint did not die; he picked his decapitated head and walked 6 kilometers towards the North, where he finally gave up his life. A statue of St. Denis, giving a sermon on the Faith, was made by the French sculptor Nicolas Coustou. The artist began work on the sculpture in 1713.

The Rose Window -

An engineering marvel of its era, the 13th-century stained glass Rose Window is situated on the west side of Notre Dame. It was a gift by King St. Louis IX after its creation in the year 1260; it is believed to be dedicated to the New Testament. No glass in this window is original–its contents were removed and replaced during the Second World War when the French were doubtful that the Germans would destroy it. It is the most famous treasure of the Church.

The Great Organ -

Notre Dame's Great Organ, dating back to the 13th century is reputed as the most famous in the world. Restored in the 1990s, the Great Organ has five keyboards and nearly 8000 pipes.