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 5 Version 6
Priest helped rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame Priest helped rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame
(32 minutes later)
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.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.
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.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.
Etienne Loraillère, the editor of France’s KTO Catholic television network, tweeted that Fournier had helped save the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament.Etienne Loraillère, the editor of France’s KTO Catholic television network, tweeted that Fournier had helped save the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament.
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/4IoLVdoJZWLe 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 was noted after the 2015 Bataclan attack, when he tended to the injured and prayed over the dead.Fournier previously spent seven years with the French armed forces, including a tour in Afghanistan. His bravery was noted after the 2015 Bataclan attack, when he tended to the injured and prayed over the dead.
The 850-year-old Notre Dame 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.The 850-year-old Notre Dame 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.
Officials said a pre-existing plan to protect Notre Dame’s treasures had been activated rapidly. France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, tweeted photos of the operation.Officials said a pre-existing plan to protect Notre Dame’s treasures had been activated rapidly. France’s culture minister, Franck 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.”“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. Gold, silver and gem-inlaid chalices, candelabras and many other artefacts survived the blaze and a significant proportion of the cathedral’s masterpieces and sacred relics were saved, authorities have confirmed, although not 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. Originally from Jerusalem, in 1238 it was given to King Louis IX, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it. It was later transferred to Notre Dame.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, in 1238 it was given to King Louis IX, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it. It was later transferred to Notre Dame.
Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world: the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet of rushes, encased in rock crystal. On Monday night the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world: the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet of rushes, encased in rock crystal. On Monday night the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.
The Great OrganThe Great Organ
Notre Dame’s principal organist, Vincent Dubois, has said Notre Dame’s 8,000-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, 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.Notre Dame’s principal organist, Vincent Dubois, has said Notre Dame’s 8,000-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, 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.
Bertrand de Feydeau, a senior French heritage preservation official, said: “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.”Bertrand de Feydeau, a senior French heritage preservation official, said: “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.”
The tunic of Saint LouisThe tunic of Saint Louis
The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th-century linen garment said to have belonged 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. The Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, said the tunic was saved from the fire.The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th-century linen garment said to have belonged 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. The Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, said the tunic was saved from the fire.
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 is said to have been crucified, and an original nail that was used. These too were saved from the flames, French media reported.Along with the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame housed a purported fragment of the True Cross, upon which Jesus is said to have been crucified, and an original nail that was used. These too were saved from the flames, French media reported.
The Rose windowsThe Rose windows
All three of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows appear to have survived, although experts have yet to inspect them and they may have sustained hidden damage.All three of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows appear to have survived, although experts have yet to inspect them and they may have sustained hidden damage.
Descent from the crossDescent from the cross
One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar. Initial photos suggest that the sculpture was mostly unharmed.One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar. Initial photos suggest that the sculpture was mostly unharmed.
UnknownUnknown
A large number of artworks and sculptures were taken from the cathedral and carried across the River Seine to Paris town hall, Riester said. It is not yet clear which of the following major works are among them:A large number of artworks and sculptures were taken from the cathedral and carried across the River Seine to Paris town hall, Riester said. It is not yet clear which of the following major works are among them:
Madonna and ChildMadonna and Child
This 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.This 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.
Statue of Saint DenisStatue of Saint Denis
Another 18-century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. Saint Denis is the patron saint of Paris, and a depiction of him preaching stood in the cathedral.Another 18-century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. Saint 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 Damaged or 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 Saint Denis and a relic of Saint Geneviève. “We have avoided a complete disaster. But some five to 10 percent of the artwork has probably been destroyed, we have to face up to that,” said Maxime Cumunel, secretary general of France’s Observatory for Religious Heritage.
Four of the largest-scale 17th and 18th century paintings depicting scenes from the lives of the apostles had been damaged, at least in part, he said.
Three relics that were not in the cathedral’s treasury are also known to have been lost: a separate fragment of the Holy Crown of Thorns, a relic of Saint Denis and a relic of Saint 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