The cross in the apse of Notre-Dame de Paris, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, was reinstalled on the cathedral's frame on Friday after a meticulous restoration by artistic blacksmiths from Normandy.
The imposing cross, 12 meters long and weighing 1.5 tons, is the only element of the choir ceiling that resisted the flames.
Workers celebrate after reinstalling the Croix du Chevet at the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, right, on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Paris. The Croix du Chevet is the only piece of the cathedral's roof that did not burn in the devastating April 2019 fire. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS OF THE RESTORATION PROJECT
Approximately 250 companies and hundreds of artisans, architects and professionals have contributed to the ongoing restoration project, with the goal of reopening the cathedral on December 8, 2024.
The fire, which occurred on April 15, 2019, caused the collapse of Notre-Dame's spire and part of its roof. Five years later, the restoration has made significant progress, including the reinstallation of the spire's lead-covered spire.
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The 2019 fire was a severe blow to the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Christianity that welcomed 12 million visitors each year.
