Seriously thoughtful Notre Dame de Paris

[HarryT]

I suspect you're thinking of the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, crich. Another large fire in a mediaeval building that required extensive repairs.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I suspect you're thinking of the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, crich. Another large fire in a mediaeval building that required extensive repairs.

I think you may be right HarryT. Of course 1992 was some 27 yrs ago so I suspect my memory was a bit faulty.

[HarryT]

It all goes to show, though, that extensive fire damage to mediaeval buildings can be and has been successfully repaired many times in the past. I have no doubt whatsoever about the ability to restore Notre Dame.

[pdurrant]

I hadn't realised that the spire was a 19th Century replacement.

[HarryT]

An addition, I believe, rather than a replacement. Not too great a loss from the point of view of history.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

An addition, I believe, rather than a replacement. Not too great a loss from the point of view of history.

It seems it had a spire from construction until 1786, when it was removed because it had become dangerous. It was replaced in 19th century restoration works.

[HarryT]

Oh, ok. Thanks! Serves to illustrate the fact that many of Europe’s cathedrals have been altered several times since their initial construction.

[issybird]

There's to be a competition to design a new spire.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by crich70

I hadn't known that. Very interesting. As I recall Westmister palace (I think) had been subjected to a fire as well and probably required some restoration as a result as well. I can't recall what started the fire but I remember hearing about it on the news at the time.

It was in Victoria's private chapel, and although not proven it was thought to have been started by a flood light igniting a drapery.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I suspect you're thinking of the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, crich. Another large fire in a mediaeval building that required extensive repairs.

Queen Elizabeth II's "annus horribulus".

[crich70]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It seems it had a spire from construction until 1786, when it was removed because it had become dangerous. It was replaced in 19th century restoration works.

From what I gather Victor Hugo had a lot to do with that restoration. He wrote his novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and brought the cathedral back into the public eye through that though Napoleon had gotten married there some 20-30 yrs prior I guess. It's seen a lot of history pass by its doors I'm sure.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by wodin

It was in Victoria's private chapel, and although not proven it was thought to have been started by a flood light igniting a drapery.

It's now thought an electrical fault caused the ND fire. It seems to have started shortly after the people working on the spire renovation stopped work for the day and the caretaker turned some power on/off.

BR

[wodin]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

It's now thought an electrical fault caused the ND fire. It seems to have started shortly after the people working on the spire renovation stopped work for the day and the caretaker turned some power on/off.

BR

Hmmm, 'twould seem that medieval architects failed to plan for electricity.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

Hmmm, 'twould seem that medieval architects failed to plan for electricity.

I strongly suspect that fires were even more common when light was provided by candles and oil lamps .

[wodin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I strongly suspect that fires were even more common when light was provided by candles and oil lamps .

And heating by open fireplaces.