Notre-Dame De Paris

    Somethimes when you get the chance to travel, you are blessed to be able to see something for the last time.  This was the case when we visited Paris. We were able to see Notre-Dame before it went up in flames on  April 15th 2019.  This cathedral was started in 1163 and completed in 1345.  It had been modified throughout the centuries,  This structure was visited by approximately 12,000,000 people annually.  It was an amazing structure and it was amazing even to see it all lit up at night.

    This  cathedral is considered French Gothic in style but one of the amazing things that I loved about it was the entrance which was amazingly carved with various Biblical scenes.  The one at the central portal is of Christ sitting on the throne of judgement with both of his hands up.  Below that is an angel and a demon with the good and the bad souls.  The good souls in the door frame are looking up to heaven.  The bad souls are to the right and are chained up.  The lower panel has angels with trumpets that are walking the dead from the graves reminding all worshipers that all social classes will be judged.  This is just part of the story of the central portal of the cathedral. Three such portals are available to enjoy when visiting Notre-Dame.

After entering the Cathedral, you saw amazing sculptures and paintings.  Surrounding walls of the Church, various Chapels and sculpures abound. The one that stood out to me was the one of Joan of Arc.  

    Walking around the inside of the Cathedral, I noticed the rose stained glass windows.  The vastness of these windows was amazing and those windows alone made the trip to Notre-Dame worthwhile.

    After touring Notre-Dame, I climbed the over 700 stairs to the first observation deck on top of the Cathedral.  Here I was able to get a great view of the city of Paris as well as get an upclose view of the many gargoyles that  fill the roof of Notre-Dame.  These gargoyles act as waterspouts to pour the water off of the roof of the building.  But why are they shaped as gargoyles?  I have seen perhaps two theories for this.  It is said that it is because of St Romanis who slew the dragon-like creature called Gargouille.  He slew it and burnt the body except the head which he placed on a new church to protect it from evil spirits.  The other story, though not as colorful, was that they represent souls that are caught up between heaven and earth.  Either way, they are colorful creatures that line the roof of Notre-Dame.

    It has been promised that sometime in the near future Notre-Dame will be restored to its glory for all to view again.  When that happens I hope to be back to see it again. Perhaps you will also have  the chance to go to Paris and can tell me all about the wonders of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.