Musical "Notre Dame de Paris"
What does the musical Notre Dame de Paris mean to you? This most popular work left few people indifferent, it has an extraordinary bewitching power. What is his secret? Maybe it's all about the spectacular production, an extraordinary story of love and betrayal, told by the brilliant Hugo? Or is it all about amazing music, in which French chanson and gypsy motifs are intertwined? Just imagine, because this work contains 50 songs dedicated to the brightest and strongest feeling - love, and almost all of them have become real hits.
Summary of the musical "Notre Dame de Paris" and many interesting facts read about this work on our page.
|
Characters |
Description |
| Esmeralda | a beautiful gypsy who captured the hearts of several men at once |
| Quasimodo | the ugly bell ringer raised by Frollo |
| Frollo | Archdeacon of the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris |
| Phoebe de Chateaupe | captain of the royal shooters, infatuated with a dancer |
| Clopin | Clopin |
| Clopin | the young bride of Phoebe de Chateaupert |
| Gringoire | the poet saved from death by Esmeralda |
Summary
In the center of this sad story is the young beauty Esmeralda, who was raised by the gypsy king Clopin, who replaced her father and mother. Their camp makes an attempt to illegally enter Paris in order to find refuge in the Cathedral, but the soldiers notice the uninvited guests and immediately drive them away. The handsome Phoebus da Chateauper, who is the captain of the royal shooters, draws attention to the young Esmeralda. Captivated by the beauty of the girl, he completely forgets about his bride Fleur-de-Lys, to whom he is engaged.
The captain is not the only one who drew attention to the young dancer. Quasimodo also has tender feelings for her, who specially comes to the festival of jesters in order to once again admire his beloved. His stepfather and strict mentor Frollo forbids even thinking about this girl and looking at her, but does it because of intense jealousy. It turns out that the archdeacon is also in love with Esmeralda, only he does not have the right to do so.
Frolo develops an insidious plan - to kidnap the gypsy and lock her in the tower, and he tries to steal the girl with Quasimodo under cover of night, but Phoebus saves the gypsy in time. Taking advantage of the moment, the captain immediately invites the beauty on a date.
An unwitting witness to the kidnapping, as well as the brave act of the captain, is the poet Gringoire, whom the gypsy king Cloper wants to hang, for violating the rules of the camp, because he visited the Court of Miracles, and it is strictly forbidden to do this. But Esmeralda saves Gringoire and must now marry him. But the gypsy is already in love with another, with her savior, Phoebe de Chateauper.
The archdeacon keeps a close eye on Esmeralda and the captain as they go on a date, and, blinded by jealousy, lashes out at the rival. As a result, Frollo wounds Phoebe with a knife. But Esmeralda already has to pay for this crime, because it is she who is accused of attempting to kill the captain. At the trial, the gypsy tries to prove that she is innocent, but Esmeralda is not listened to and is sentenced to death.
While the girl is in prison awaiting her sentence, Frollo visits her. The archdeacon offers to save the beauty in exchange for her devotion and love, but she refuses him. Hearing this, Frollo pounces on Esmeralda, but the girl is saved in time by Clopin and Quasimodo who arrived in time. The whole camp came to help the captive, and a fight broke out between the gypsies and the royal soldiers. As a result of this collision, Clopin dies, and Esmeralda is arrested again, and Frollo himself hands her over to the executioner. In desperation, he shares this with Quasimodo, confessing that he did all this because of the beauty’s refusal, and he in anger throws the insidious Frollo off the tower, and he rushes to the place of execution in order to wrap the already dead Esmeralda in his arms for the last time.
Photo:
Interesting Facts
- A record number of applicants came to the casting for the Russian version of the musical - about one and a half thousand, and only 45 of them were taken into the troupe.
- About 4.5 million dollars were spent to stage the Russian version, and 15 million were collected for the entire time of the show in the Moscow theater.
- By 2016, the total number of spectators who watched the performance around the world amounted to more than 15 million people.
- It is worth noting that the author of the famous "Notre Dame" also wrote a musical on a rather unusual Russian theme. He called this work "The Decembrists", the development of the libretto was carried out by the poet Ilya Reznik.
- Currently, a shortened version of the musical by Alexander Marakulin is on tour in our country. The artists of the troupe even became defendants in a criminal case on copyright infringement.
- In Nizhny Novgorod, a parody of the performance was staged with almost identical scenery.
- Not without some mistakes in the French production of the musical. So, it was noticed that there is an inscription anarchy on the wall, although another word was originally assumed - ananke, which means rock. Already in the new Mogadorian version of the play, this word was corrected.
Popular numbers:
Belle (listen)
Dechire (listen)
Vivre (listen)
Le temps des cathedrales (listen)
History of creation
Surprisingly, this musical became popular even before its premiere due to the fact that a disc was released with recordings of some of the singles (16 songs). The presented compositions made an unprecedented sensation and rapidly began to win the hearts of the public. The premiere, which took place on September 16, 1998 in Paris at the Palais des Congrès, was a resounding success. party main character performed by Noah (recorded), and then Helen Segara, the role of Quasimodo went to Pierre Garan (Garu) , Phoebe - Patrick Fiori, Gringoire - Bruno Pelletier, Frollo - Dariel Lavoie. The director was the Frenchman Gilles Maillot, who at that time was known to the general public for his productions. In general, the performance turned out to be a little unusual, because it differed from the established format of musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Claude-Michel Schonberg: minimalist stage design, modern ballet choreography, unusual format.
Songs from the musical immediately began to lead various charts, and the most popular of them "Belle" became a real world hit. After its success in France, the musical went on its triumphal procession to other countries of the world.
In 2000, the composer created the second edition of the musical, and this version was already presented at the Mogador Theater. It was this option that was used for the Russian, Spanish, Italian, Korean and other versions.
The Russian premiere was successfully held on May 21, 2002 at the Moscow Operetta Theater. The production was directed by Wayne Fawkes, invited from the UK. When they first started working on the score, Julius Kim, who was in charge of translating the libretto, admitted that it was rather difficult to do. Moreover, not only professional poets were engaged in such a painstaking process. That is why Susanna Tsiryuk became the author of the translation of the composition “Belle”, she also owns the text for the songs “Live”, “Sing to me, Esmeralda”. But the translation of the single "My Love" was done by the schoolgirl Daria Golubotskaya. It is worth noting that in our country the performance was also promoted according to the European model: about a month before the premiere, the song “Belle” was launched on the radio station performed by Vyacheslav Petkun (Quasimodo), which immediately became popular. Elements western style present in the choreography.
In 2011, it was decided to organize an international troupe, which included artists from different countries who made a world tour. Each time she was greeted by an enthusiastic audience and a standing ovation. Until now, this musical has been successfully performed on various stages of the world. Throughout its existence, it has been shown in 15 different countries and translated into seven languages.
Notre Dame de Paris is considered to be one of the most popular and recognized musicals among the public. Actually, it's not even surprising. He captures literally from the first second to the very curtain, does not let go of the audience. It is difficult to imagine another such most popular and recognizable work. It is even more difficult to say which of the songs written by the most popular and greatest lyricist of the Francophonie is the most beautiful, because they are all beautiful! So what does the musical Notre Dame de Paris mean to you? This is love, memories of tender feelings, sadness, seal, compassion and endless admiration for the bewitching beauty of music.
Video: watch the musical "Notre Dame de Paris"
Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral) is one of the most popular attractions in the French capital. He is best known for the work of the same name by Victor Hugo. This one was a true patriot of his native country and with his work he tried to rekindle the love of the cathedral among his compatriots. Needless to say, he succeeded quite well. After all, there was no longer any doubt about the love of the French for this building: during the French Revolution, the townspeople meekly paid a bribe to Robespierre, who otherwise threatened to destroy Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. We offer you to learn more about this Parisian attraction, the history of its creation and how it can surprise tourists today.
Notre Dame de Paris (France) - the architectural inspiration of an entire nation
This building was erected at a time when most of the inhabitants of the country were uneducated people who transmitted the history of religion exclusively by word of mouth. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, built in the Gothic style, keeps within its walls paintings, frescoes, portals and stained glass windows depicting biblical episodes and events. By analogy with other Gothic buildings, you will not find wall paintings here. They are replaced by a large number of tall stained-glass windows, which act as the only source of color and light inside the building. Until now, visitors to Notre Dame de Paris, whose photo adorns almost any tourist guide to France, note that passing through a colored glass mosaic gives the building a mystery and inspires sacred awe.
Some people know this attraction by hearsay, someone remembers it from the novel of the unforgettable Hugo, and for someone it is associated with a popular musical. One way or another, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris is an amazing place with a rich history. If you are planning then do not deprive yourself of the pleasure of visiting this attraction.
The history of the founding of the cathedral
The construction of this building began in 1163. The interior decoration was completed only a century and a half later - in 1315. In 1182 the main altar of this church building was consecrated. The building work itself was completed by 1196. Only the interior decoration lasted for a very long time. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris was erected on the Ile de la Cité, considered the heart of the French capital. The main architects of this monumental building, whose height is 35 meters (the bell tower of the cathedral rises to 70 meters), were Pierre de Montreuil, Jean de Chelle.
The long time of construction also affected the external appearance of the building, as Norman and Gothic styles were mixed over a century and a half, thanks to which the image of the cathedral turned out to be truly unique. One of the most noticeable details of this structure is a six-ton bell located in the right tower. For centuries, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has served as the site of royal weddings, coronations and funerals.
XVII-XVIII centuries
This majestic building underwent great trials in the last decades of the seventeenth century. During this period, marked by the reign of King Louis XIV, the most beautiful stained-glass windows were destroyed in the Cathedral and the graves were destroyed. During the French Revolution, Parisians were warned that this magnificent structure would be razed to the ground. However, they have the opportunity to prevent this if they regularly pay a certain amount of money for the needs of the revolutionaries. Rarely did a Parisian refuse to comply with this ultimatum. Thanks to this, the cathedral was literally saved by the local population.
Cathedral in the 19th century
During the reign of Napoleon in 1802, Notre Dame Cathedral was re-consecrated. And four decades later, its restoration began. During it, the building itself was restored, broken statues and sculptures were replaced, and a spire was built. Restoration work lasted a little less than 25 years. After their completion, it was decided to demolish all the buildings adjacent to the Cathedral, thanks to which a magnificent square was formed.
What is worth paying attention to when visiting Notre Dame Cathedral today?
In addition to its majestic appearance, the cathedral can offer visitors a lot of interesting things hidden within its walls. So, it is here that one of those nails with which Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross has been kept since ancient times. There is also the famous bas-relief of the alchemist Notre Dame.
If you come to the cathedral on Sunday, you can hear the organ music. And the organ located here is the largest in all of France. All believers are given the opportunity to bow before such shrines of the cathedral, as well as a piece of the Cross of the Lord with a nail preserved in it.
Do not deny yourself the opportunity to admire the surroundings from the observation deck located on the south tower of the cathedral. However, keep in mind that to climb it you will have to climb 402 steps. In addition, do not lose sight of the bronze star located on the square in front of the cathedral. She marks the zero kilometer, and it is from her that all French roads have been counted since the 17th century.
Make a wish
It is safe to say that visiting Notre Dame is a very significant event for any person. Perhaps that is why from time immemorial there has been a belief here that if you leave a note with your desire at the gates of the cathedral, it will certainly come true.
How to get to the cathedral
As we have already mentioned, Notre Dame is located in the eastern part of Paris. You can get here both by metro and by bus. If you decide to take the subway, then you need to take line 4 and get off at the Cite or Saint-Michel station. If you plan to travel by bus, then use one of the following routes: 21, 38, 47 or 85.
Cathedral opening hours
The main hall of Notre Dame is open every day from 6:45 to 19:45. However, keep in mind that from time to time the flow of visitors is "slowed down" by local ministers. This is done in order not to interfere with ongoing masses.
If you plan to visit the towers of the cathedral, then take note of the following information:
In July and August, they are open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 to 19:30, and on weekends from 9:00 to 23:00;
From April to June, as well as in September, the towers can be visited from 9:30 to 19:30 every day;
Between October and March, they are only available for visiting from 10:00 to 17:30.
Seasoned tourists recommend visiting the cathedral from October to March. During this period, it is not so crowded, and you can enjoy the relative silence and in a relaxed atmosphere to explore this attraction. In addition, if you have the opportunity, come here at sunset. At this time, you can enjoy the magnificent picture, which is the play of light passing inside the cathedral through the multi-colored fancy stained-glass windows.
Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral: the cost of visiting
Entrance to the main hall of the cathedral is free. Please note that all year round every Wednesday at 2:00 pm and every Saturday at 2:30 pm there is a guided tour in Russian. It's also free.
Near the cathedral there is a small building where the temple treasury is located. Here are stored various antique products from precious metals, as well as the clothes of the clergy, and the main exhibit is the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, as well as a piece of the Cross of the Lord with a preserved nail. Adults will have to pay three euros to enter the treasury, schoolchildren and students two euros each, and children from 6 to 12 years old - 1 euro each.
If you want to climb the tower of the cathedral, then adult visitors will have to pay 8.5 euros, students - 5.5 euros. For those under the age of eighteen, admission is free.
Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris): detailed information about the Notre Dame Cathedral, architecture and history of Notre Dame de Paris, location on the map.
Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Paris)
Notre Dame Cathedral or Notre Dame is the oldest and most famous cathedral in Paris, located in its oldest part - the Ile de la Cité. This is a magnificent masterpiece of Gothic, immortalized by the brilliant Victor Hugo and turned into a cult place in the French capital along with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
In addition to the magnificent building of the cathedral and its interior, there is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Paris from the height of the towers. To climb them you need to overcome more than 350 steps. You can also see the archaeological crypt, which "tells" the history of the city from Gallo-Roman times to the 19th century.
History of Notre Dame de Paris
Already in the 3rd century, the first Christians appeared in ancient Paris. Here was sent St. Dionysius, who was executed on the hill of Montmartre, and who later became the patron of the city (the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis is also named after him). After the approval of Christianity by Constantine, as official religion in the Roman Empire, in the 4th century, on the site of a pagan temple, the first Christian cathedral was built on the island of Sita - the Cathedral of St. Stephen. It is not known exactly what it looked like and its exact dimensions, but it is believed that it was a large five-aisled basilica, rebuilt in the 6th-7th century.
Stone Cathedral of St. Stephen was able to stand the test of time, but in the 12th century, Louis VII and Bishop de Sully decided to build a new, more magnificent cathedral. In 1163 the first stone of the future Notre Dame was laid. Construction continued until 1250.
Throughout its history, before the French Revolution, Notre Dame Cathedral was rebuilt and renovated several times. The revolution inflicted terrible damage on the cathedral - the statues of kings on the facade were destroyed, all large sculptures were destroyed, stained-glass windows and portals were damaged. Notre Dame fell into such a deplorable state that the possibility of its demolition was seriously discussed. Fortunately, thanks in large part to Victor Hugo and his legendary novel Notre Dame Cathedral, it was decided to restore the cathedral. In the middle of the 19th century, Notre Dame was reopened.
Architecture
The architectural style of the cathedral is Gothic. The western facade is divided into three parts vertically and horizontally.
The lower tier is three portals (entrances): the portal of St. Anna, the portal of the Virgin Mary, the portal of the Last Judgment. Each portal is decorated with bas-reliefs. Above the portals is the arcade of kings - 28 sculptures of Jewish kings, damaged during the Revolution.
Above is the western rose - the figure of infinity and infinity, enclosed in a square. It was built at the beginning of the 13th century and is one of the three roses of the cathedral and the oldest of them.
In the architecture of the cathedral, two bell towers stand out - North and South. At the same time, the South Tower (closest to the river) looks less massive.
On the south side, the facade of the cathedral is also decorated with a rose and a spire, around which there are 12 figures of the apostles.
The roof of the cathedral is lead. Made of thin lead plates overlapped. The weight of the roof is about 210 tons. Also in the upper part of the facade of Notre Dame Cathedral is decorated with figures of gargoyles and chimeras. Interestingly, there were no chimeras in the Middle Ages. They were installed in the 19th century during the restoration, as well as a new lead roof.
Interior
The interior of Notre Dame cannot boast of fanciful wall paintings. But such is the specificity of severe Gothic. The only source of light and color are the most beautiful stained-glass windows. The original stained-glass windows from the 13th century are preserved only on the cathedral roses. The remaining 110 stained glass windows have been restored.
In the center of the nave are sculptural compositions from the Gospel. Donated paintings and sculptures are located in the right chapel of the cathedral. The cathedral chandelier is made of silvered bronze.
Notre Dame Cathedral houses one of the greatest Christian relics - the Crown of Thorns.
Operating mode and entrance
Notre Dame Cathedral is open daily from 8.00 to 18.45. On weekends until 19.45. Entrance is free and free.
To climb the towers and admire the panorama of Paris from the height of the gargoyles, you need to pay 10 euros. Also paid entrance to the crypt.
Behavior rules
- Notre Dame Cathedral is an active cathedral, so you need to behave calmly, quietly and respectfully here.
- It is forbidden to carry luggage.
- Flash photography is prohibited.
- They may not let you in short skirts and shorts.
How to get there?
–Line 4, Cite ou saint-michel
–Line 1, 11, Hotel de Ville
–Line 10, Maubert Mutualite ou Cluny-La Sorbonne
–Line 7, 11 , 14 Chatelet
–Line B, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame
–Line, C, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame
–Routes 21, 38, 47, 85, 96, Arrêt Cite – Palais de Justice
–Route 47, Balabus Arrêt Cite – Parvis de Notre-Dame
–Routes 24, 47 Arrêt Notre Dame - Quai de Montebello
–Routes 24, 47 Arrêt Petite Pont
–Routes 24, 27, Balabus Arrêt Pont Saint-Michel - Quai des Orfèvres
–Routes 24, 27, 96, Balabus Arrêt saint-michel
– Routes 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 Arrêt Saint-michel–Saint-Germain
Notre Dame Cathedral - Notre Dame de Paris - is one of the most famous Gothic temples in the world. It is located in the center of the capital of France, in the eastern part of the Ile de la Cité. Notre Dame Cathedral, along with the Eiffel Tower, is a symbol of Paris and the whole country; more than 13 million people visit it every year.
Since the 18th century, Notre Dame de Paris was considered the center of the city and all distances were measured from it. The coronation of emperors and royal weddings took place in the temple, noble people kept their valuables in it, and the poor found shelter here.
How to get to Notre Dame Cathedral
- Metro
- Line 4 Cite or St-Michel Station
- Line 1 and 11, Hôtel de Ville station
- Line 10, station Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny – La Sorbonne
- Line 7, 11, 14 Châtelet station
- By RER trains - lines B and C, station Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame
The temple has two entrances:
- The main entrance is from the central facade, near which hangs a timetable indicating the beginning of the mass. If you come by this time, you can hear the sounds of a unique organ or live singing
- The entrance located on the left side facade leads to the observation deck of the towers.
If you look at the central facade, then on the right under the ground there is a free public toilet, the entrance to which resembles the entrance to the subway.
Opening hours of Notre Dame Cathedral - summer 2019
The cathedral burned down on April 15, 2019. It was possible to save the walls and unique stained-glass windows in three rose windows. The sculptures on the roof also survived, as they had been removed for restoration a few days earlier. They managed to evacuate the crown of thorns of Christ and other relics, as well as works of art from the cathedral. More than a billion euros were collected for the restoration of the temple in two days.
History of Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral was erected on the site where the Halo-Roman temple of Jupiter stood in the first century, and later in 528 - the first Christian church- St. Stephen's Basilica.
In 1163, Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to build a new temple here, the first stone of which was laid by King Louis VII of France and Pope Alexander III.
Construction was carried out for more than 180 years, starting in 1163. The towers of Notre-Dame de Paris were built in 1245, and the entire construction and interior decoration was completed in 1345. Nine thousand people could be in the temple and it was the most big temple early Gothic in Europe.
During its history, Notre Dame de Paris has seen a lot important events. King Henry IV was crowned here, Mary Stuart and Francis II were married in 1422, and Napoleon was crowned in 1804.
The temple was badly damaged during the revolution, when the Jacobins, mistaking the biblical kings for the kings of France, removed their heads, church utensils were melted down, only large bells survived. The temple was saved from final destruction by the decision of Robespierre to close it, turning it into a temple of Reason and placing a granary in it.
In March 1831, Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris was published, in which the author described how Quasimodo watched the execution of Esmeralda from one of the towers of the temple. The writer noted that one of the main goals of his novel is to inspire the nation with a love of architecture.
After the publication of the work in France and throughout Europe, a movement began to preserve Gothic monuments. The authorities of Paris also began to restore the temple. Under the guidance of the architect Eugène Viollet-de-Ducon, sculptures of 28 Jewish kings were restored and a gallery of chimeras was created, as well as a Gothic spire, dismantled by the revolutionaries, was built.
Architecture
In the design of the Notre Dame Cathedral, unusual techniques for that time were used, many of which later became classical. So, the facade of the temple is made in the form of the Latin letter "H" with two towers, the main building is crowned with a high openwork spire, and outside the building is decorated with a large number of sculptures and bas-reliefs, lancet arches and windows - roses.
In architecture there is a mixture of the Romanesque style, which is characterized by massiveness and rigor, with early Gothic, which gives the building lightness and aspiration to the sky.
The main western facade is divided into three tiers, the lower of which consists of three portals:
- On the left portal is the composition "Glory Holy Virgin”, depicting the Madonna and Child, two angels, a bishop with an assistant and a king. The lower part depicts the story of Anna and Joseph, and the upper part depicts stories from the life of the savior - the Magi, Christmas and the Annunciation
- In the central portal - a three-tiered picture doomsday, above which rises a sculpture of the formidable Judge of the world of Christ, surrounded by the apostles
- The right portal depicts St. Anna, mother of the Virgin and scenes from her life.
These sculptural compositions are one of the best works of the Middle Ages, representing the entire religious history Christianity from the Fall to the Last Judgment.
On the middle tier there are 28 statues of biblical kings, and in the center there is a 13th century rose window. The upper tier is formed by towers 69 meters high, which were at that time the highest in Paris.
There are no wall paintings inside Notre Dame de Paris, but thanks to the colored stained glass windows and the sun's rays, the walls of the temple play with a variety of colors - blue and purple, orange and red. Three round rose windows with a diameter of up to 13 meters shine in the western, northern and southern facades, the stained-glass windows of which depict about eighty scenes from old testament, the earthly life of the Savior and the Mother of God.
But Notre Dame de Paris is famous not only for its architecture and decoration, but one of the great relics of Christianity, the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ, is kept here. Among the gifts to the temple are bowls, valuable manuscripts and vestments of bishops, a nail and a piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Height of Notre Dame Cathedral
- The Notre Dame Cathedral is 35 meters high, 130 meters long, 48 meters wide, and 69 meters high.
- The largest Emmanuel bell is installed in the eastern part, its weight is 13 tons, including the mallet tongue - 500 kg, but this bell rings only on special occasions.
Notre Dame Cathedral official website
www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr (information about tickets to the observation deck)
Notre Dame Cathedral is a functioning church where divine services are held daily using the achievements of modern technology. The screen displays biblical stories and the text of the prayer in English and French. You will hear the pleasant music of the largest organ in France.
Address: France, Paris, 4th arrondissement, Ile de la Cité
Start of construction: 1163
Completion of construction: 1345
Architects: Jean de Chelle, Pierre de Montreuil
Height of towers (bell towers): 69 m
Main attractions: A crown of thorns, a nail (with which Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross), and part of the cross itself, the bells of the cathedral, a large organ
Coordinates: 48°51"10.7"N 2°21"00.6"E
Starting the material about the legendary Notre Dame de Paris, I would like to note right away that it will not be possible to briefly describe the history, legends, and architectural features of the world's greatest Catholic church. It would be more correct to say even short story about this amazing place will require a lot of time.
Almost all french guides conducting excursions in Paris often say that while they tell the story of Notre Dame Cathedral and introduce tourists to its architecture, interior decoration and priceless treasures, they can not leave the feeling that they are in a place of incredible power. In the cathedral, where you can see huge crowds of people almost at any time of the day, everything is really saturated with an atmosphere of mysticism and mystery.
Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris)
Probably for this reason almost 14 (!) million people come to see the legendary Notre Dame Cathedral every year. This number is simply staggering, it is hardly possible to find another such cult place on our planet that, like a magnet, would attract so many people every year. Even the splendor of the Palace of Versailles and the luxury of the castles of the Loire fade before the popularity of Notre Dame de Paris, about which a lot of novels, popular science articles have been written and hundreds of documentaries have been shot.
Even in ancient times, there was a proverb that said that without exception, all roads lead to Rome, but not a single Frenchman will agree with it. The thing is that France is a country where all roads without exception lead to Notre Dame Cathedral. Moreover, since the 18th century it has been customary in this country to calculate the distance to any city not from the borders of the capital, but from its “heart”. Naturally, the heart of Paris is perhaps the most majestic cathedral in the world, Notre Dame de Paris. By the way, according to the results of archaeological research, the place on which Notre Dame Cathedral was built was considered sacred since the time when the first human settlements appeared here.
View of Notre Dame Cathedral from the river. Seine
Of course, in one material it will not be possible to tell about all the most interesting finds, but the fact that the first Christian church previously stood on the territory of the modern temple, and before it the sanctuary dedicated to the pagan god Jupiter, is a fact that deserves attention. This ancient history, inextricably linked with the place where Notre Dame Cathedral now stands, says only one thing, that the center of Paris is really a place where a person connects with higher powers.
Many travelers who come to Paris to see with their own eyes its huge number of sights and the greatest monuments of history and architecture, being near its "heart", always experience the strongest excitement.
It is also interesting that all people without exception, regardless of their religion, experience a sense of reverence for higher powers at Notre Dame de Paris. Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the lucky ones who managed to visit a capitalist country “immersed in luxury” first of all aspired not to the Eiffel Tower, but to Notre Dame Cathedral, with which they were “familiar” only from the stories of Victor Hugo.
View of Notre Dame Cathedral from Pont du duble
Notre Dame Cathedral - the history of the construction of a majestic Gothic temple
Alas, at the moment no documentary evidence has been found about who solemnly laid the first stone in the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral. One part of the historians claims that it was Pope Alexander III, and the other part is sure that the solemn part associated with the start of the construction of the magnificent cathedral took place with the participation of the Parisian bishop Maurice de Sully. There are documents that shed light on the fact that it was thanks to Maurice de Sully that King Louis VII of France ordered the construction of the most magnificent Catholic church not only in France, but in the entire Old World, to begin in 1163. However, evidence of which of the clergy laid the "first stone", alas, is most likely irretrievably lost. This fact, at first glance, does not special significance, but only at first glance ... The thing is that in those distant times, when the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral began, a priest had to open the construction of a Catholic church. Yes, and a huge number of issues related to the temple would have been resolved if it had been possible to find out for certain who laid the very “first stone” in the cathedral.
Be that as it may, already 19 years after the start of construction of the cathedral, its altar was consecrated: this event took place in the spring of 1182. In 1196, according to historical documents, the builders managed to completely complete the nave of Notre Dame Cathedral. Already in 1250, the construction of the majestic Catholic church was almost completely completed: it only remained to finish the finishing work and decorate the interior.
View of the Place Jean XXIII behind Notre Dame Cathedral
True, it was only in 1345 that the cathedral was completely “surrendered”. Speaking in a dry "statistical language", the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral lasted exactly 182 years. This period may seem long to some, but for those times it was a majestic building, the construction of which was completed, as modern architects would say, in record time. One has only to compare the period of construction of Notre Dame de Paris and the period of construction of the legendary Cologne Cathedral, which, by the way, does not stop upsetting and decorating even today.
Speaking about the history of the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral, it is impossible not to mention the names of two brilliant architects, thanks to whom this, without exaggeration, appeared, an architectural wonder of the world. The main architects who developed the plan for the "heart" of Paris are Jean from Shell and Pierre from Montreil. In fairness, it should be noted that many other architects also worked on the cathedral, which is now visited by thousands of tourists every day. However, the names of most of them were forgotten and only two of them entered history: Pierre from Montreil and Jean from Shell.
View of the Notre Dame Cathedral at night from the river. Seine
Legends of Notre Dame Cathedral
A huge number of legends and myths are associated with Notre Dame Cathedral, many of which still do not let scientists and experts in the study of the paranormal sleep. One of these legends is associated with the gates of Notre Dame de Paris. In numerous ancient documents that have survived to this day, it is said that Notre Dame Cathedral, like Cologne Cathedral, was built with the help of ..., no, not God, as some thought, but the devil. A talented blacksmith by the name of Biscornet (by the way, a very real person, not a fictional one) received an order for a gate that would adorn the entrance to the majestic temple of Paris. The blacksmith spent a long time thinking about how they should look and how to forge them. Alas, even with great talent, he could not think of anything and turned to Satan for help.
The caretaker of the cathedral one morning came to the temple and saw a blacksmith who was lying on the ground unconscious. Right next to his body lay the most beautiful gate with intricate patterns. Naturally, these were the gates that fully corresponded to the significance and grandeur of the cathedral. They were immediately installed and locked, and then an unforeseen incident happened: it was impossible to open them! No matter what the masters did, the locks did not give in. The gates of Notre Dame Cathedral were opened only after their locks were sprinkled with holy water. An interesting fact is that even modern scientists have not been able to reveal the secret of making these wonderful gates and the appearance of patterns on them. It was impossible to make them either by casting or forging .... Biskorn never told how this miracle appeared: some argue that he did not want to admit to collusion with the devil, and experts say that the blacksmith simply did not want to reveal a unique secret.
View of the north and south towers of the cathedral
Another mystery is associated with numerous sculptures and the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral. It is rather difficult to explain the presence of terrifying gargoyles and chimeras on its roof, even if we take into account the facts that the cathedral was built in the neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles, and the statues were placed there already during the reconstruction after the French Revolution. In the interior frescoes one can read and, most importantly, understand (!) the entire Bible. The scenes from the life of Christ and his execution are so realistic that even an ardent atheist, having seen all these works of art, will surely begin to doubt his views on the existence of higher powers. By the way, many people who study the occult believe that in the frescoes and sculptures of Notre Dame de Paris is encrypted ancient teaching, one has only to understand its code, and then one can acquire power over the world. There is also a legend that the architects who drew up the plan for the Cathedral of Notre Dame were assisted by alchemists who encrypted the formula in it philosopher's stone. Anyone who manages to read it among the numerous stucco and sculptures will be able to turn any substance into precious metals.
Notre Dame Cathedral - not an easy story
In Notre Dame de Paris, great emperors were solemnly crowned, it was in this temple that kings and queens concluded their alliances before God. Crusaders going to war true God received a blessing in this cathedral. The richest people in Paris considered this place the most reliable store for valuables and deposited their innumerable treasures in the cathedral.
View of the main facade of the building on which the main stained-glass rose window is located above the entrance to the cathedral, the gallery of the Kings and the statue of the Virgin Mary with a child and angels
It was in this temple that Napoleon Bonaparte put on his head the crown of the new French Empire. It would be unfair to say that one of the most majestic Catholic churches was designed only for visiting crowned persons or the most influential people in France. No, great attention in Notre Dame Cathedral was also paid to the poor, who were always happy to provide all possible assistance here.
Despite the fact that the "heart" of Paris was considered in Europe one of the main strongholds Christian faith, it, like many sights of a great country, suffered during the French Revolution. The Parisians, inspired by the speeches of the revolutionaries and, as if mad, burst into Notre Dame de Paris and caused irreparable damage to many statues. The townspeople also reached the treasury, which was almost completely plundered. Moreover, the revolutionaries decided to blow up Notre Dame Cathedral. ... Here, as many popes often mention, they intervened higher power: the rioters suddenly ran out of gunpowder. The revolutionaries were confused and decided not to blow up the cathedral, but to adapt it as a warehouse, where they began to store food supplies.
The main entrance to the cathedral above which is a sculptural panel of the Last Judgment
The savior of Notre Dame de Paris is considered to be Victor Hugo, whose ashes rest in the French Pantheon. It was he who, in his first novel, called on all the French, despite their Political Views, with love and sincere respect for the monuments of architecture, history and sights for which beautiful France is famous all over the world.
Notre Dame Cathedral - one of the greatest temples in the world
As mentioned above, about 14,000,000 people come to the cathedral every year. This popularity is due not only to unique architecture and truly luxurious interior decoration. Notre Dame Cathedral is also a place where millions of Catholics make pilgrimages. The thing is that in the temple, 35 meters high and 130 meters wide, there are some of the main Christian shrines. By the way, the bell towers of the temple are much higher than itself, their height is 69 meters. In Notre Dame de Paris, the nail with which the Savior of all mankind was nailed to the cross, and part of the cross itself, are kept. In addition, in Notre Dame Cathedral, all believers can see and bow to the crown of thorns, in which Jesus Christ ascended to the place of his execution. By the way, the crown of thorns was purchased for a huge sum by the king of France from the Roman emperor back in 1238. As it becomes clear from the history of the cathedral described above, one of the main shrines came to France even before the construction of the "heart" of Paris was completed.
Statues on the central portal of the cathedral
Throughout the history of its existence, the treasury of the cathedral has been constantly replenished with various gifts, among which you can find unique exhibits dating from the beginning of our era, and which simply cannot be valued in monetary terms. Many of these gifts are not only of historical value, they are shrines, which are worshiped by millions of pilgrims.
Many tourists who first came to the Notre Dame Cathedral are surprised that there is not a single wall painting on the walls of all three tiers of the temple. True, the walls do not seem gloomy because of this: the sunlight penetrating through the huge windows, decorated with beautiful stained-glass windows made by great masters, which depict biblical scenes, makes the room bright and, one might even say, fantastic. Some stained-glass windows of Notre Dame de Paris reach thirteen meters in diameter, they completely fit the “story” in the paintings about the birth, life and execution of Jesus Christ.
Gallery of Kings on the main facade of the building
The bells of the cathedral deserve special attention. By the way, each bell of Notre Dame Cathedral has its own name. The largest bell of the Catholic Church bears the name Emmanuel, its weight reaches 13 (!) Tons, and the tongue weighs just over half a ton. The oldest of all bells is called Belle (yes, like a character from a well-known novel), it was cast back in 1631. Emmanuelle's bell is rung only on the most important occasions. Catholic holidays, but the rest of the bells announce Paris at 8 am and 7 pm. All of these bells also miraculously escaped being melted down during the mob riots during the French Revolution.
If a visitor to the cathedral decides to enter it through the main entrance (there are three in total), then he will see a realistic image of the Last Judgment.
Two angels with trumpets woke the dead all over our planet: a king, symbolizing power, a pope, symbolizing the clergy, and warriors with a woman, who show that during the Last Judgment, all mankind will wake up from eternal sleep.
View of the east facade of the building
Today, Notre Dame Cathedral is a functioning catholic church belonging to the Parisian archbishopric. Divine services are constantly held in it, but to get to them you should come to the temple as early as possible: its capacity does not exceed 9,000 people. By the way, worship services in Notre Dame de Paris are held using cutting-edge technologies: with the help of special effects, prayers are projected onto a huge screen in two languages: English and, of course, French. Believers can offer their prayers to God to the sounds of the largest organ in all of France. Moreover, the organ of Notre Dame de France contains the largest number of registers in the world: today there are 111 of them!
Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral is free, but it is only allowed to visit it with a guide on certain days and times: Wednesday and Thursday at 2 pm, and on Saturday at 2:30 pm. In addition, anyone can climb one of the towers, which will offer an amazing and unforgettable view of Paris. True, climbing the 387 steps to the tower will cost 8 euros, and children and teenagers under 18 will be able to climb to the top of Notre Dame de Paris for free.
It is also interesting that the celebrations of the significant date of the 850th anniversary of the cathedral began on December 12, 2012. The celebrations will last almost a whole year: they are scheduled to end on November 24, 2013. For Notre Dame Cathedral, in honor of its anniversary, nine new bells were cast at once in the workshops, which will join Emmanuel and Belle. In addition, printing houses have already launched the printing of a special brochure for pilgrims, which will describe in detail the history of Notre Dame de Paris, its legends and secrets.
Notre Dame Cathedral - fire in April 2019
On the evening of April 15, 2019, a terrible tragedy occurred. A fire broke out in the attic of the famous temple, and the flames engulfed the upper part of the building. The fire quickly destroyed the old wooden roof. The Gothic spire, 96 m high, squinted and collapsed.
Burning spire of Notre Dame Cathedral
The police hastily evacuated all the people from the island of Cité. Many Parisians and tourists watched the catastrophic fire. Huge puffs of smoke and flames were photographed and videotaped. The believers knelt down and prayed. At this time, the calculations of 400 Parisian firefighters were fighting the fire. The fire was finally extinguished only in the morning of the next day.
The consequences of the fire were dire. The wooden frame of the roof, made in the 12th-13th centuries from 1300 first-class oaks, was completely burned down. The lead sheets on the roof melted from the heat. Fortunately, the collapsed wooden spire did not damage the stone vault of the cathedral, and the nave remained intact. Both towers of the cathedral also remained unscathed.
Significant damage was received by the sacristy of the temple, which kept priceless Christian relics. Managed to save the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. Part of the interior and two-thirds of the roof were damaged. However, the old organ, medieval stained-glass rosettes remained intact.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral. He stated that the cultural and historical symbol of the country would be restored without fail. A fundraiser was announced for the reconstruction of Notre Dame de Paris. By noon on April 16, 2019, the Notre Dame Restoration Fund had received more than €300 million in donations and the funds continue to flow.
