France asks: should Notre-Dame's spire be rebuilt as it was?

[webfact]

France asks: should Notre-Dame's spire be rebuilt as it was?

By Richard Lough and Caroline Pailliez

 

A view shows a damaged section of Notre-Dame Cathedral two days after a massive fire devastated large parts of the gothic structure as a French flag on top of the Paris town hall is seen in the backgroud in Paris, France, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

 

PARIS (Reuters) - France will open the redesign of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral's historic spire to international architects after Monday night's catastrophic blaze that gutted the centuries-old roof and sent the towering spire crashing through the vaulted ceiling.

 

The government's announcement on Wednesday added to a question many are asking as France grieves for its national symbol - whether the familiar outline at the heart of the capital should be restored as it was or given a modern twist.

 

President Emmanuel Macron pledged in a prime-time address to the nation on Tuesday that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt within five years. Tycoons, international firms, local authorities and individuals have promised financial and expert help - with a total of nearly 900 million euros pledged by Wednesday.

 

The cathedral was built over nearly 200 years starting in the middle of the 12th century, although it was only in the mid 1800s that architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc added the lead-covered spire during restoration work.

 

"The international competition will allow us to ask the question of whether we should even recreate the spire as it was conceived by Viollet-le-Duc," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said.

 

"Or whether, as is often the case during the evolution of heritage, we should endow Notre-Dame with a new spire that reflects the techniques and challenges of our era."

 

Monday's inferno devastated a world treasure, prompting an outpouring of collective sorrow and soul-searching in France over whether to recreate the destroyed oak-framed roofing and spire or adapt the cathedral to the 21st century.

 

As Philippe spoke, firefighters were working to stabilise a fire-ravaged pinnacle that houses one of Notre-Dame's 13th-century stained-glass rose windows.

 

There was no immediate danger that the structure would topple but statues were also being removed to reduce the risk of movement, the fire service's spokesman said.

 

"Today, there is no risk of collapse. Our priority is to stabilise the pinnacles which are weakened, since they are no longer held up by the roof and its frame," Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus told Reuters.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone call with Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, on Wednesday to offer condolences over the fire. Trump said in a tweet he had offered the help of "our great experts on renovation and construction".

 

REPLICATE OR RESHAPE?

It was not yet known what caused the blaze.

 

The city's public prosecutor, Remy Heitz, said on Tuesday there was no sign of arson and it was likely to have been the result of an accident. Some 50 people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, he said.

 

Passers-by laid flowers on bridges crossing the Seine River as Parisians gave thanks to see the bell towers standing valiantly after the fire.

 

Notre-Dame is not the first French cathedral to suffer a devastating fire. Among past catastrophes, a 1972 fire engulfed the roof of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes. Concrete was used in the subsequent reconstruction of gables and roof beams.

 

 

"What's extraordinary is that Notre-Dame's roof lasted until 2019," Francois Chatillon, a prominent architect and specialist in historic monuments, told Reuters.

 

In a city that has a strong tendency to preserve and initially balked at the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum's glass pyramid, before they too became nationally loved, altering the cathedral's outline could prove unpopular.

 

Benjamin Mouton, Notre-Dame's affiliated architect between 2000-2013, said it was pointless to be dogmatic about using the same materials for the restoration of a building that has already been "heavily altered, modified and reinforced".

 

"On the other hand, we must recreate the cathedral's silhouette and rebuild the spire. That to me is indispensable," said Mouton, who logged each of the timber beams in Notre-Dame's attic that was dubbed the "forest".

 

NEW TAX BREAK FOR SMALL DONATIONS

Concerns over the cathedral's structural soundness have prevented investigators from entering Notre-Dame's main nave to assess damage at ground level.

 

As the scale of damage was revealed, billionaires and corporate giants lined up to pledge huge donations. Their largesse raised questions among some French people over whether they had hidden motives such as seeking tax breaks.

 

Philippe said his government would draft new legislation to introduce a 75 percent tax deduction on private donations up to 1,000 euros. The deductible will remain at 66 percent for bigger sums.

 

The cathedral has been at the centre of a long-running financing dispute and pleas from the Church for more cash.

 

($1 = 0.8850 euros)

 

(Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey, Julie Carriat, Richard Lough, Pascale Denis and Marine Pennetier; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-18

[bartender100]

Maybe something more European, say in blue and gold. To show what a  great President they have running things in the EU

[Skallywag]

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

The cathedral has been at the centre of a long-running financing dispute and pleas from the Church for more cash.

 

So ridiculous, the Vatican is worth over 15 Billion US dollars.  Think they have enough in their banks to rebuild their churches / cathedrals if they wish to.  No "pleas" from the church for "more cash" needed

[malagateddy]

So ridiculous, the Vatican is worth over 15 Billion US dollars.  Think they have enough in their banks to rebuild their churches / cathedrals if they wish to.  No "pleas" from the church for "more cash" needed

Well said.
As someone who thinks that the koran and the bible are and have been the most widely bought and read fairy tale stories of all time...it's only fitting that...imo...the bible " followers " and the very wealthy catholics should foot the whole financial cost of the rebuild.
Vatican financial officials..are you listening!!!

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[observer90210]

As stated few days ago, there is currently outrage in France and some surrounding countries, on the millions of € suddenly and very generously donated by various entities/individuals, (who are going to get juicy tax rebates amongst others)....but in the meantime no money was ever found, nothing ever done for the thousands of homeless and other people of France, sleeping on the streets or who live on the limits of poverty.

 

Sorry if I hurt anybodys religious or architectural sensitivity, but human survival or well being,  gets priority.

[Aforek]

Yes , it's shocking … I have never heard that Pinault ,  Arnaud and Bettencour ( Loréal ) families ( billionaires ) did something for human homeless and " restos du cœur ", and they are ready to give 500 millions € for Notre Dame ( which is a part of our culture, but "just "  a building ) 

[Benmart]

It's in France and an issue for the French to decide. I'm not French, so I read and a grateful. The comment about the Vatican is misinformed and nonsense. Suggest research regarding the funding of the diocese and parishes of the Catholic Church. What individuals do with their money is their business.

 

[Lucius verus]

France will end up with so much surplus money they'll be able to build  3 new Cathedrals   Lol.

Most of the damage was to timber supports and the roof is gone but not the Cathedral proper.

The big question is has the masonry been weakened by the heat.

Used to be called a -sappers fire- which could destroy the stone foundations in a matter of hours.

If the stone is cracked then they really will need all that money.

[Cryingdick]

Use some neon lights and make it a casino. It will fund itself in less than a year.

[Emdog]

"..endow Notre-Dame with a new spire that reflects the techniques and challenges of our era."

Cell phone tower with surveillance cameras might reflect our era

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"..endow Notre-Dame with a new spire that reflects the techniques and challenges of our era."

Cell phone tower with surveillance cameras might reflect our era

 

I am a bit outraged that the chief source of evil in the world and one of the largest perpetrators in regards to children's sexual abuse and it's principal co-conspirators can get so much money, so quickly.

[Basil B]

Maybe new tech materials but hope they restore to the original skyline.

[Guest Jerry787]

re build libia, siria, re build palestine, the niger delta the skyline of the church is the last priority !

[Basil B]

Meaning we have experts in the USA hire them... 

 

Well we have experts in the UK and they have experience in Renovating 1,000 year old cathedrals, wonder how many cathedrals the Americans have that are over 2 centuries old??? 

 

But there again I am sure the French have their own experts, and they speak the local lingo.

[Rimmer]

A troll post has been removed

[user343434]

why should it be changed? Its a historical Landmark and if, it needs to be restored as it was.

What a silly question is that? 

[Pravda]

Did they consider setting up a GoFundMe campaign?

[Bluespunk]

21 minutes ago, Pravda said:

Did they consider setting up a GoFundMe campaign?

Yes.

 

A number have been started up worldwide.

[Ulic]

Rebuild using new materials technology, Cheaper, stronger, safer, than what was available centuries ago, but keep the same appearance/skyline. There will be no shortage of donations. fund it out of the donations and French tourism board budget. 

[tubby johnson]

The Hagia Sophia was successfully converted into a mosque.

[malagateddy]

It's in France and an issue for the French to decide. I'm not French, so I read and a grateful. The comment about the Vatican is misinformed and nonsense. Suggest research regarding the funding of the diocese and parishes of the Catholic Church. What individuals do with their money is their business.
 

You honestly saying that the vatican money mob could not auction off some of their " treasures " to finance the rebuild?????
Thought jesus was against all the financial hording etc??



Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ratcatcher]

6 hours ago, tubby johnson said:

The Hagia Sophia was successfully converted into a mosque.

Indeed it was, over 560 years ago and 88 years ago it was turned into a museum.

[nausea]

Symbolic or what? The old France is gone. 

[ratcatcher]

19 minutes ago, malagateddy said:

Thought jesus was against all the financial hording etc??

He probably was, but the present day hoarding is done in the name of his mum, Mary.

[ratcatcher]

2 minutes ago, nausea said:

Symbolic or what? The old France is gone. 

[malagateddy]

Well..hans christen anderson and enid blyton? did well re kiddies books if my memory serves me well..but oh the bible and the koran take the proverbial biscuit re having people needing s " crutch " to help them thro their lives.
Just wonder what any " superior being " thought/thinks about all the slaughtering done in its name thro countless years.
Good earner though for all religious " top kiddies "..5 star status when countless followers are struggling to put bread on the table.
Champions league..you're having a laugh.

He probably was, but the present day hoarding is done in the name of his mum, Mary.

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[MickeyDelux]

Something more modern? Something more European? How about they make it look like a mosque? 

[Guest]

This is a good time to think over. One might want to make Notre Dame look exactly like it looked before. But why to do so?

 

Why not mix the old architecture with a new building materials and new architecture?

 

When rebuild let the church show both it's past as well as it can reflect what today's people can do. Improve it, like we should improve all of our old traditions to meet today's needs. 

 

Glass ceiling has been one of the ideas. I'm pretty sure the folks who made the church would have loved to have a bit more light coming in to the building. 

 

We now have plenty of burn resistant materials available, which can make the ceiling to be better than it was before. 

[Date Masamune]

It is up to the French but I’d say not a centime of public funds should be used. All you hear these days is “austerity” and cut taxes on the rich but suddenly they have huge amounts pledged by the same. So to go watch old people in costumes practice some superstitions?The Catholic Church has plenty of money let them pay for it.

[user343434]

I was just reading that some smart fellows are filling the ashes in small bottles and selling it for a good coin.

Great Idea.. Same as they did with small concrete pieces of the Berlin Wall.

One on benefits living bum made over a 350k EUR for selling these pieces and had not even an own computer or internet in his apartment. he made it via an internet shop..

 

This is the first time I think that the church is helping the poor handing over cash ???????? made me laugh... 

Not the tragic event but the idea of these people... A small bottle, a scoop ash, a sticker with the original Notre Dame and "kashinnng" the EURO is rolling..