The Notre Dame Fire, Images of Notre Dame cathedral on fire spread around the world. That is possible rebuilt?
And millions watched as the 300-foot-tall spire was first engulfed by flame, then eventually collapsed.
The fire at Notre Dame cathedral burned for two days before being completely extinguished.
Leaving the wreckage of the 800-year-old building and the world wondering can Notre Dame be rebuilt.
Once the area was safe, the results of the Notre Dame fire could be assessed in more detail. And while the building itself suffered severely.
Irreplaceable treasures, such as the Crown of Thorns were rescued during the fire itself.
While more permanent pieces to survive include the amazing 8,000 pipe organ, known as Le Grand Orgue.
Major areas of the building were not so lucky, with the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral taking the roof of the whole building. Along with the magnificent spire and much of the wood structure throughout Notre Dame.
Restoration specialists there will assess any surviving relics, paintings and other works for smoke damage for other problems, and then begin any renovation work needed over the next few years.
Just months after the Notre Dame fire, design organizations and others started running competitions to ‘design the new Notre Dame’.
With wild designs appearing featuring ultra-modern materials and concepts. Some even proposed tuning the roof into a park area for visitors to sit and enjoy the Parisian sun. None really captured what Notre Dame was and is though.
But while the design and architectural communities were busy looking for a new design. The French government have been taking a different approach.
July 17th, 2019 was the day that the French parliament approved a reconstruction project,.
Designed to use the $954 million of funds donated from around the world to bring Notre Dame back to life.
While there is still a long road ahead, and many choices to make, it seems that when we wonder can Notre Dame be rebuilt, the answer is not just yes, it is that it will be rebuilt.
French President Macron wants the work to proceed quickly, and has spoken about a 5-year timetable, which some think is too optimistic.
Many argue the need to strengthen the surviving structure to ensure Notre Dame is ready for another 800 years. But that will add to the rebuild time.
Additionally, Macron has envisioned a new, modern spire to complete the building.
These are questions that will undoubtedly cause problems along the way.
After we watched those images of Notre Dame Cathedral on fire, we will eventually see it rebuilt too.