Here’s why Notre Dame Cathedral is considered a symbol of architectural greatness.

Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning example of French Gothic architecture, is one of the most iconic landmarks of Paris, drawing around 13 million visitors and pilgrims every year.

On Monday, a devastating fire erupted at the historic cathedral, causing its spire to collapse and the roof to be destroyed.

Nestled on the Île de la Cité, a natural island in the Seine River, this beloved cathedral has stood as a symbol of both physical and spiritual significance in Paris for over 850 years.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1160, commissioned by Bishop Maurice de Sully, replacing an earlier Romanesque church with a much grander and more ambitious Gothic structure.

A monumental 182-year journey of construction.

Bishop de Sully did not live to see the cathedral’s completion. It took 182 years to finally consecrate the church in 1345, with the project overseen by a series of bishops and master builders.

Among its groundbreaking features, the cathedral’s flying buttresses stand out, providing essential support for the massive stone structure, allowing it to accommodate over 6,000 worshipers within.

Notre Dame is renowned for its massive 8,000-pipe organ, one of the largest in the world, which fortunately survived the fire on Monday. The bell towers were also spared.

Sadly, the cathedral’s entire wooden interior has been destroyed, and the fate of its three immense stained glass Rose Windows remains uncertain as of now.

The cathedral’s journey has been marked by both triumphs and trials.

In 1431, England’s King Henry VI was crowned King of France within its walls, and in 1804, Napoleon I was crowned Emperor there.

During the French Revolution, Notre Dame suffered extensive damage, with statue heads being decapitated and the cathedral repurposed for storing food.

In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc led a major restoration, during which the iconic central spire, which collapsed on Monday, was added.

The restoration efforts were partially fueled by the popularity of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” which shed light on the cathedral’s deteriorating condition.

French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the scene of Monday’s devastating fire, called it a “terrible tragedy” but reassured Parisians that they would “rebuild this cathedral together.”

Yaron Yarimi, a New York-based travel expert and Paris specialist, shared in an email to Dinogo, “It truly stands as one of the most magnificent and historically significant medieval cathedrals in the world.”

Yarimi went on to say, “It’s also one of the top five most requested destinations for our clients when planning trips to Paris.” He expressed his sorrow over the fire, adding, “It’s heartbreaking to witness such a tragedy unfold before our eyes!”