This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/16/notre-dame-fire-fears-over-fate-of-cathedrals-treasures

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Fears over fate of Notre Dame's priceless treasures Priest helped firefighters rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame
(about 4 hours later)
On Monday night, as Notre Dame Cathedral burned, firefighters scrambled to save its precious contents. A priest who comforted the wounded in the Bataclan concert hall after the Paris terror attacks in 2015 joined a human chain of firefighters to help save priceless religious relics from the burning Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday night.
The 850-year-old cathedral is home to priceless works of art, architecture, musical instruments, statues, woodwork and religious relics – from the 8,000-pipe great organ to Nicolas Coustou’s sculpture Descent From the Cross. A full list of the masterpieces housed in the cathedral is posted on its website. Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain of the Paris fire brigade, insisted on being allowed to enter the edifice with firefighters, Philippe Goujon, the mayor of Paris’ 15th district, told reporters outside the cathedral on Tuesday.
“It’s not one relic, not one piece of glass, it’s the totality,” said Barbara Drake Boehm, senior curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval Cloisters branch in New York. “It’s the very soul of Paris, but it’s not just for French people. For all humanity, it’s one of the great monuments to the best of civilisation.” Etienne Loraillère, editor of France’s KTO Catholic television network, tweeted that Fournier had helped to “save the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament”.
Officials said on Tuesday that a plan to protect Notre Dame’s treasures had been rapidly and successfully activated. France’s culture minister, Frank Riester, tweeted photos of the evacuation on Monday night: Le père Fournier, aumônier des @PompiersParis, est allé avec des pompiers dans la cathédrale #NotreDame pour sauver la couronne d’épines et le Saint-Sacrement... pic.twitter.com/4IoLVdoJZW
Fournier previously spent seven years with the French armed forces, including a tour in Afghanistan. His bravery had been noted after the 2015 Bataclan attack, when he tended to the injured and prayed over the dead.
The 850-year-old cathedral, whose spire and roof were largely destroyed in Monday’s blaze, is home to a large number of irreplaceable works of art, musical instruments, statues, woodwork and religious relics A full list is posted on its website.
A pre-existing plan to protect Notre-Dame’s treasures had been rapidly and successfully activated, officials said in the early hours of Tuesday morning. France’s culture minister, Frank Riester, tweeted photos of the operation.
“Agents of the culture ministry, aided by the archbishop’s staff, the Paris fire brigade and the security services, are evacuating the works inside the cathedral,” Riester said. “They are being progressively brought to safety.”
Les agents du @MinistereCC, épaulés par les équipes de l’archevêché, les @PompiersParis et les forces de sécurité, évacuent les œuvres se trouvant à l’intérieur de la cathédrale. Elles sont progressivement mises en sécurité. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/iINHyUqJMELes agents du @MinistereCC, épaulés par les équipes de l’archevêché, les @PompiersParis et les forces de sécurité, évacuent les œuvres se trouvant à l’intérieur de la cathédrale. Elles sont progressivement mises en sécurité. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/iINHyUqJME
A significant proportion of the cathedral’s masterpieces and sacred relics were saved from the fire, authorities have confirmed, but by no means all.
SavedSaved
The Holy Crown of ThornsThe Holy Crown of Thorns
One of Notre Dame’s most treasured relics, the crown purports to be a band of rushes from the original crown of thorns placed on Jesus’s head during his crucifixion.One of Notre Dame’s most treasured relics, the crown purports to be a band of rushes from the original crown of thorns placed on Jesus’s head during his crucifixion.
Originally from Jerusalem, it was given to King Louis IX in 1238, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it, and was later transferred to Notre Dame.Originally from Jerusalem, it was given to King Louis IX in 1238, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it, and was later transferred to Notre Dame.
Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world – the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet or rushes, encased in rock crystal.Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world – the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet or rushes, encased in rock crystal.
On Monday night, the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.On Monday night, the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.
The Great OrganThe Great Organ
Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said on Tuesday that Notre Dame’s immense, 8000-pipe grand organ, had been saved. Notre Dame’s principal organist, Vincent Dubois, has said Notre Dame’s immense, 8000-pipe grand organ was not burned in the fire, although its condition – and whether it can still be played – is not yet clear.
Originally built in 1403, it has been updated and renovated in the centuries since – most recently in 2013 – but some of the current organ’s pipes date back to the medieval era. Originally built in 1403, the organ has been updated and renovated in the centuries since – most recently in 2013 – but some of the current organ’s pipes date back to the medieval era.
“The organ is a very fragile instrument, especially its pipes. It has not burnt, but no one can tell whether it has been damaged by water. Nobody knows if it is a functioning state or will need to be restored,” said Bertrand de Feydeau, a senior French heritage preservation official.
The Tunic of Saint LouisThe Tunic of Saint Louis
The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th century linen garment said to belong to King Louis – the only French king to become a Saint.The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th century linen garment said to belong to King Louis – the only French king to become a Saint.
Crowned in 1226, Louis participated in the Seventh Crusade and died during the Eighth Crusade in 1270. He was canonised in 1297. He also acquired the Crown of Thorns. Crowned in 1226, Louis participated in the Seventh Crusade and died during the Eighth Crusade in 1270. He was canonised in 1297. He also acquired the Crown of Thorns. Mayor Anne Hidalgo also confirmed that the tunic was saved on Monday.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo also confirmed that the tunic was saved on Monday.
North Rose Window
One of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows was unharmed, according to French journalist Laurent Valdiguié.
Unknown:
Descent from the cross
One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar.
Initial photographs showed that the sculpture was mostly unharmed, but its condition has not been confirmed.
West and South Rose Windows
There are conflicting reports on the state of Notre Dame’s other rose windows.
The cathedral’s west rose window is smaller than the others, and was built first (in 1225). The south window is larger and more ornate, and was built around 1260.
Reports from journalists on the ground have said that all three windows – including the north – had melted. However, the north window was later reported saved.
British MP Yvette Cooper, who was near the cathedral at the time, was quoted as saying she saw one rose window had fallen.
Just spoke to Yvette Cooper, who saw Notre-Dame erupt in flames‘The roof took really fast, the flames whipped along it. We saw the Rose window blow. ‘We saw the spire fall, it was heartbreaking. The spire was eaten away by orange flames’
True Cross and Holy NailsTrue Cross and Holy Nails
Along with the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame housed a purported fragment of the True Cross – upon which Jesus was crucified – and an original nail that was used. Along with the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame housed a purported fragment of the True Cross – upon which Jesus was crucified – and an original nail that was used. These too were saved from the flames, French media reported.
It is unclear whether these were saved along with the crown. The Rose windows
All three of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows appear to have survived, André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral, said early on Tuesday morning, although experts have yet to inspect them and they may have sustained hidden damage.
Unknown
A large number of artworks and sculptures were taken from the cathedral and carried across the River Seine to Paris town hall, Rietser said. It is not yet clear which of the following major works are among them:
Descent from the cross
One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar. Initial photographs showed that the sculpture was mostly unharmed, but its condition has not been confirmed.
Madonna and ChildMadonna and Child
An iconic statue – known as Notre Dame de Paris with which the cathedral shares its name – depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Created in the 14th century, it was moved to Notre Dame in 1818.An iconic statue – known as Notre Dame de Paris with which the cathedral shares its name – depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Created in the 14th century, it was moved to Notre Dame in 1818.
Cathedral bells
Notre Dome cathedral has 10 bells – the oldest, Emmanuel, weighs 13 tons and was created in the 15th century, and recast in 1681.
Statue of St DenisStatue of St Denis
Another 18 century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. St Denis is the patron saint of Paris, and a depiction of him preaching stood in the cathedral.Another 18 century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. St Denis is the patron saint of Paris, and a depiction of him preaching stood in the cathedral.
Painting of St Thomas AquinasPainting of St Thomas Aquinas
Made in the 17th century, and given to the cathedral in 1974, this painting depicts the saint and people drinking from a fountain of wisdom.Made in the 17th century, and given to the cathedral in 1974, this painting depicts the saint and people drinking from a fountain of wisdom.
Destroyed
Three relics that were not in the cathedral’s Treasury are known to have been lost: a separate fragment of the Holy Crown of Thorns, a relic of St Denis, and another relic of St Geneviève.
Notre DameNotre Dame
ParisParis
FranceFrance
EuropeEurope
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content