The iconic spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019, will be reinstated by the end of 2023, according to the French culture ministry
Although the reconstruction of the cathedral is on track for completion by the end of 2024, authorities have confirmed that the cathedral will not be fully reopened before the Paris Olympic Games in July and August 2024.
The rebuilding of the cathedral has been progressing well, and authorities had earlier set a possible completion deadline for 8 December 2023. However, the wooden spire that had previously adorned the cathedral's peak had fallen into disrepair and was replaced by a sharp spire during the 19th-century redesign by architect Eugene Viollet-Le-Duc. The collapse of the wooden spire was one of the most dramatic moments of the 2019 fire.
Once completed, the cathedral is expected to draw millions of visitors from around the world, as it did before the fire, which saw over 12 million visitors annually. Despite the delay in its full reopening, the reinstatement of the spire will be a significant milestone in the reconstruction process, bringing hope to people who have been eagerly awaiting the restoration of this historic landmark.
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