Great writer. The action begins with the story of vagabonds who arrive in Paris and try to get to Notre Dame Cathedral. They are stopped and chased off by a regiment of royal archers led by Captain Phoebus. The captain, betrothed to the young Fleur de Lis, looks at one of the gypsies - Esmeralda. She is under the patronage of a gypsy baron, as she was left without parents.
Esmeralda is no stranger to male attention. The bell-ringer of Notre Dame, a hunchback named Quasimodo, who is trying with all his might to please the gypsy, is also in love with her. Priest Frollo is also not indifferent to the beauty, but his love borders on hatred. He accuses Esmeralda of witchcraft and persuades Quasimodo to kidnap the girl. The plans are thwarted by Captain Phoebus, Frollo is hiding, and Quasimodo is arrested by the royal guards and sentenced to be wheeled, but he manages to escape, not without the help of Esmeralda.
Meanwhile, the gypsy falls in love with Phoebus: she agrees to come on a date, spends the night with him. The priest, who learned about this, bursts into their bedroom and wounds the captain with Esmeralda's dagger, while he himself hides again. Now the girl is accused of being a royal shooter, a mortal awaits her. The judge is the two-faced Frollo: after Esmeralda refuses to become his mistress, he orders her to be hanged. And Captain Phoebus, having recovered, returns to his bride.
Only in 1163, already under Louis VII, one of the leaders of the Second Crusade, when a special Gothic style developed, did they begin to build a cathedral. Bishop Maurice de Sully supervised all construction work. He sought to create an unusual temple that would accommodate a whole
For attempting to kidnap Esmeralda, Quasimodo was sentenced to be broken on the wheel. Frollo is watching this. When Quasimodo asks for a drink, Esmeralda gives him water.
In the market square, all three - Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus confess their love to her. Here is "Three hearts created differently."
In gratitude for the water, Quasimodo shows her the Cathedral and the bell tower, inviting her to come in whenever she wants.
Frollo pursues Phoebus and enters the Shelter of Love with him. Seeing Esmeralda in the same bed with Phoebus, he stabs him with Esmeralda's dagger, which she carried with her all the time, and runs away, leaving Phoebus to die. Esmeralda is accused of this crime. Phoebus recovers and returns to Fleur-de-Lys, who asks Phoebus to swear that the lover will be punished.
An hour before the execution, Frollo descends into the dungeon of the La Sante prison, where Esmeralda is imprisoned. He sets a condition - he will let Esmeralda go if she accepts his love and is with him. Esmeralda refuses. The archdeacon tries to take her by force.
Frollo kisses Esmeralda on the lips, and meanwhile Clopin and Quasimodo enter the dungeon. Clopin stuns the priest and frees his stepdaughter. Esmeralda hides in Notre Dame Cathedral. The inhabitants of the "Court of Miracles" come there to take Esmeralda.
Royal soldiers under the command of Phoebus enter into battle with them. Clopin is killed. The vagabonds are expelled. Frollo gives Esmeralda to Phoebe and the executioner. Quasimodo searches for Esmeralda and instead finds Frollo. He confesses to him that he gave Esmeralda to the executioner because she refused him. Quasimodo throws Frollo off the cathedral and dies himself with the body of Esmeralda in his arms.
History of creation
Work on the musical began in 1993, when Plamondon compiled an approximate libretto for 30 songs and showed it to Cocciante, with whom he had previously worked and wrote, among other things, the song "L'amour existe encore" for Celine Dion. The composer already had several melodies ready, which he proposed for the musical. Subsequently, they became hits with "Belle", "Dance mon Esmeralda" and "Le temps des cathédrales". The musical's most famous song, "Belle", was the first to be written.
8 months before the premiere, a concept album was released - a disc with studio recordings of 16 main songs of the production. All songs were performed by the artists of the musical, with the exception of the parts of Esmeralda: Noa sang them in the studio, and Helen Segara in the musical. Canadian pop stars were invited to the production - Daniel Lavoie, Bruno Pelletier, Luc Merville, but the main role of Quasimodo was given to the little-known Pierre Garan, although the composer initially wrote the parts of Quasimodo for himself. This role glorified Pierre, who took the pseudonym Garou.
The premiere of the Russian version of the musical took place in Moscow on May 21, 2002. The production was produced by Katerina Gechmen-Waldeck, Alexander Weinstein and Vladimir Tartakovsky. The author of the text of the Russian version is the poet, bard, playwright and screenwriter Julius Kim.
In 2008, the premiere of the Korean version of the musical took place, and in 2010 the musical started in Belgium.
actors
France (original line-up)
- Noah then Helen Segara - Esmeralda
- Garou - Quasimodo
- Daniel Lavoie - Frollo
- Bruno Pelletier - Gringoire
- Patrick Fiori - Phoebe de Chateaupert
- Luc Merville - Clopin
- Julie Zenatti - Fleur-de-lis
North America
- Janien Masse - Esmeralda
- Doug Storm - Quasimodo
- T. Eric Hart - Frollo
- Daven May - Gringoire
- Mark Smith - Phoebe de Chateauper
- David Jennings, Carl Abram Ellis - Clopin
- Jessica Grove - Fleur-de-Lys
Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral) is one of the most popular attractions in the French capital. He is best known for the work of the same name by Victor Hugo. This one was a true patriot of his native country and with his work he tried to rekindle the love of the cathedral among his compatriots. Needless to say, he succeeded quite well. After all, there was no longer any doubt about the love of the French for this building: during the French Revolution, the townspeople meekly paid a bribe to Robespierre, who otherwise threatened to destroy Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. We offer you to learn more about this Parisian attraction, the history of its creation and how it can surprise tourists today.
Notre Dame de Paris (France) - the architectural inspiration of an entire nation
This building was erected at a time when most of the inhabitants of the country were uneducated people who transmitted the history of religion exclusively by word of mouth. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, built in the Gothic style, keeps within its walls paintings, frescoes, portals and stained glass windows depicting biblical episodes and events. By analogy with other Gothic buildings, you will not find wall paintings here. They are replaced by a large number of tall stained-glass windows, which act as the only source of color and light inside the building. Until now, visitors to Notre Dame de Paris, whose photo adorns almost any tourist guide to France, note that passing through a colored glass mosaic gives the building a mystery and inspires sacred awe.
Some people know this attraction by hearsay, someone remembers it from the novel of the unforgettable Hugo, and for someone it is associated with a popular musical. One way or another, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris is an amazing place with a rich history. If you are planning then do not deprive yourself of the pleasure of visiting this attraction.
The history of the founding of the cathedral
The construction of this building began in 1163. The interior decoration was completed only a century and a half later - in 1315. In 1182 the main altar of this church building was consecrated. The building work itself was completed by 1196. Only the interior decoration lasted for a very long time. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris was erected on what is considered the heart of the French capital. The main architects of this monumental building, whose height is 35 meters (the bell tower of the cathedral rises to 70 meters), were Pierre de Montreuil, Jean de Chelle.
The long time of construction also affected the external appearance of the building, as Norman and Gothic styles were mixed over a century and a half, thanks to which the image of the cathedral turned out to be truly unique. One of the most noticeable details of this structure is a six-ton bell located in the right tower. For centuries, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has served as the site of royal weddings, coronations and funerals.
XVII-XVIII centuries
This majestic building underwent great trials in the last decades of the seventeenth century. During this period, marked by the reign of King Louis XIV, the most beautiful stained-glass windows were destroyed in the Cathedral and the graves were destroyed. During the French Revolution, Parisians were warned that this magnificent structure would be razed to the ground. However, they have the opportunity to prevent this if they regularly pay a certain amount of money for the needs of the revolutionaries. Rarely did a Parisian refuse to comply with this ultimatum. Thanks to this, the cathedral was literally saved by the local population.
Cathedral in the 19th century
During the reign of Napoleon in 1802, Notre Dame Cathedral was re-consecrated. And four decades later, its restoration began. During it, the building itself was restored, broken statues and sculptures were replaced, and a spire was built. Restoration work lasted a little less than 25 years. After their completion, it was decided to demolish all the buildings adjacent to the Cathedral, thanks to which a magnificent square was formed.
What is worth paying attention to when visiting Notre Dame Cathedral today?
In addition to its majestic appearance, the cathedral can offer visitors a lot of interesting things hidden within its walls. So, it is here that one of those nails with which Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross has been kept since ancient times. There is also the famous bas-relief of the alchemist Notre Dame.
If you come to the cathedral on Sunday, you can hear the organ music. And the organ located here is the largest in all of France. All believers are given the opportunity to bow before such shrines of the cathedral, as well as a piece of the Cross of the Lord with a nail preserved in it.
Do not deny yourself the opportunity to admire the surroundings from the observation deck located on the south tower of the cathedral. However, keep in mind that to climb it you will have to climb 402 steps. In addition, do not lose sight of the bronze star located on the square in front of the cathedral. She marks the zero kilometer, and it is from her that all French roads have been counted since the 17th century.
Make a wish
It is safe to say that visiting Notre Dame is a very significant event for any person. Perhaps that is why from time immemorial there has been a belief here that if you leave a note with your desire at the gates of the cathedral, it will certainly come true.
How to get to the cathedral
As we have already mentioned, Notre Dame is located in the eastern part of the Parisian island of Cité. You can get here both by metro and by bus. If you decide to take the subway, then you need to take line 4 and get off at the Cite or Saint-Michel station. If you plan to travel by bus, then use one of the following routes: 21, 38, 47 or 85.
Cathedral opening hours
The main hall of Notre Dame is open every day from 6:45 to 19:45. However, keep in mind that from time to time the flow of visitors is "slowed down" by local ministers. This is done in order not to interfere with ongoing masses.
If you plan to visit the towers of the cathedral, then take note of the following information:
In July and August, they are open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 to 19:30, and on weekends from 9:00 to 23:00;
From April to June, as well as in September, the towers can be visited from 9:30 to 19:30 every day;
Between October and March, they are only available for visiting from 10:00 to 17:30.
Seasoned tourists recommend visiting the cathedral from October to March. During this period, it is not so crowded, and you can enjoy the relative silence and in a relaxed atmosphere to explore this attraction. In addition, if you have the opportunity, come here at sunset. At this time, you can enjoy the magnificent picture, which is the play of light passing inside the cathedral through the multi-colored fancy stained-glass windows.
Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral: the cost of visiting
Entrance to the main hall of the cathedral is free. Please note that all year round every Wednesday at 2:00 pm and every Saturday at 2:30 pm there is a guided tour in Russian. It's also free.
Near the cathedral there is a small building where the temple treasury is located. Various antique items made of precious metals are stored here, as well as the clothes of clergymen, and the main exhibit is the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, as well as a piece of the Cross of the Lord with a preserved nail. Adults will have to pay three euros to enter the treasury, schoolchildren and students two euros each, and children from 6 to 12 years old - 1 euro each.
If you want to climb the tower of the cathedral, then adult visitors will have to pay 8.5 euros, students - 5.5 euros. For those under the age of eighteen, admission is free.
Tragedy throughout France. The spire, clock and roof of the building collapsed as a result of the fire. Firefighters managed to save both bell towers of the cathedral, the flames did not affect the main shrines: the crown of thorns, the tunic of St. Louis; saved several paintings. The source of ignition, according to firefighters, was scaffolding erected in the attic of the cathedral. Recall that the restoration work began this spring, it was planned to complete the work by 2022. The fire started at 18:50 local time on April 15, according to April 16, the fire was extinguished. One firefighter was injured during the rescue operation.
The results of the fire
The President of France and his wife arrived on the scene and promised to completely restore the relic, with the assistance of "the best talents of our time." There is hope for a complete restoration, since the cathedral has been thoroughly studied, ancient drawings have been preserved.
According to preliminary estimates, the damage will cost hundreds of millions of euros. Today, the Heritage Foundation announced the launch of a national campaign to raise funds for the restoration of the cathedral, according to the latest data, 240 people donated more than 6,000 euros to the Foundation.
According to preliminary estimates, the restoration of the building may take at least 10 years.
At the moment, all residents have been evacuated from the island of Cite, for safety reasons, navigation along the Seine in the vicinity of the island is prohibited.
The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating unintentional damage during the fire.
Notre Dame Cathedral - Notre-Dame de Paris
Each country has objects - associations. In Paris, in my opinion, there are two of them - and Notre Dame Cathedral. To visit Paris and not see (at least!) these two masterpieces of architectural thought is a real crime.
More than 14 million tourists annually visit this place, which holds unsolved mysteries and mystical revelations.
A place of "incredible power" - this is what the Parisian guides call the cathedral, who acquaint people with its history and architecture. And legends add a mystical spirit to the object.
Photos of the cathedral
- Notre Dame is built on the site where four different churches stood in ancient times: the Christian parish, the Merovingian basilica, the Carolingian temple and the Romanesque Cathedral. By the way, it was the ruins of the last cathedral that served as the foundation for the current one.
- Construction lasted 182 years (1163-1345). After 19 years of construction work, the main altar appeared, which was immediately consecrated, after another 14 years, the construction of the nave was completed. Then the construction continued on the territory of the central (western) facade, which is richly decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs.
- The western facade and two towers took 45 years to build (1200-1245). The different heights of the towers are explained by the fact that many architects worked on the construction, who mixed two styles - Romanesque and Gothic.
- In the summer of 1239, King Louis IX brought into the temple the main shrine and relic - the Crown of Thorns.
- The gargoyles on top of Notre Dame Cathedral used to be used as drainpipes - now they are one of the decorations of the building.
- Instead of the usual wall paintings depicting saints, there are high stained-glass windows, which are both a decoration of the cathedral and a source of light. Stained-glass windows separated the rooms, since at the end of construction, not a single wall was provided in the cathedral. Instead of walls, there were columns and arches.
- After the completion of construction, the cathedral was the main spiritual center of France - royal weddings, coronations, funerals and other important events throughout the country were held here. Despite the important role of the cathedral in the life of the country, its walls also received commoners who were helped.
- The rich trusted the walls of the cathedral and brought all their treasures for safekeeping. It was in this way that a treasury was formed within the walls of the temple.
- During the French Revolution, the Jacobins wanted to destroy the cathedral, but the inhabitants managed to save it - they collected money in support of the rebels and handed it over to the new government. Despite the agreement, the revolutionaries did not fully keep their promise - the bells were melted down into cannons, the tombstones into bullets, the sculptures of the Jewish kings were beheaded. The cathedral building was used as a wine warehouse - it was during this period that Notre Dame lost its significance. The Catholic church was returned to the clergy only in 1802.
- Thanks to Victor Hugo's famous novel Notre Dame Cathedral (1831), where the writer set out to awaken the people's love for French architecture, in 1841 the restoration of the cathedral began. The famous gallery of chimeras appeared on the upper platform in front of the towers. The sculptors created images of mythical creatures that embodied the character of a person and the variety of his moods. The restoration lasted 23 years, during which the restorers were able to replace all the broken sculptures, erect a high spire, and restore stained glass windows. The buildings that adjoined the cathedral were removed, thanks to which a square appeared in front of the main entrance.
- In 2013, in honor of the 850th anniversary of the cathedral, new bells were cast, in the amount of 9 units. The largest church organ in France, which appeared here at the beginning of the 15th century, was also reconstructed. Now the instrument is fully computerized, while the body is made in the style of Louis XVI.
- Today, Notre Dame de Paris is a functioning church: worship services are constantly held here, during which modern video effects are used. Bells can be heard daily at 8:00 and at 19:00.
- Along with the faithful, tourists are also allowed into the cathedral. All visitors have a unique opportunity to see the sacred relics, as well as valuable things that have accumulated in the cathedral over its long history.
- (price: 25.00 €, 3 hours)
- (price: 15.00 €, 1 hour)
- (price: 35.00 €, 2.5 hours)
Attractions
Here you will find more detailed information about the objects of the cathedral. This information will be useful for general information.
Apse - Chevet
From the Tournelle embankment, you can see the apse with its retaining arches and gray-green vault. It is located in the eastern part, symbolizes the sunrise of the Resurrection.
Traditionally, the apse side serves to collect internal rhythmic flows and the highest divine energy of the cosmos. 
Due to the special design, the impression of the presence of God among people is created. After the restoration of the cathedral, the arches were replaced according to the design of Jean Ravi. Today, the size of the arches reaches 15 meters.
From the south side you can see what the cathedral looked like in the 19th century. Previously, here was the palace of the archbishop, which was demolished along with the treasury and sacristy during the riots of 1831. The palace was decided not to be restored.
Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher - Chapelle des Chevaliers du Saint-Sépulcre
In the heart of the cathedral is the Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, which was officially opened on March 6, 2009. The ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Toile, Patriarch of Latin of Jerusalem. The restoration of the chapel took place in accordance with the wishes of Cardinal Lustiger and his successor, Cardinal Vin-Trois.
Within these walls, in a modern red glass reliquary, lies the most precious treasure - the crown of thorns of Christ, wrapped in a purple mantle. The sacred crown is a bundle of intertwined branches of thorns without thorns, which in ancient times were dismantled in various temples and monasteries, with additionally woven into it several branches of the aromatic jujube plant.
It is enclosed in a crystal ring with a gold frame. It is impossible to say with certainty that the crown of Christ is genuine, but the first mention of it is documented in the 4th century.
Most of the time, the holy crown is in a special vault and is not displayed. For the worship of believers, it is solemnly carried out every Friday during Great Lent and on Good Friday. The ceremony is attended by the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.
Behind the reliquary, on the altar, there is a statue of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, who holds in her hands nails and a crown that wounded her son's legs, arms and head.
Chapel of the Most Holy Gifts - Chapelle du Saint-Sacrement
Next to the Chapel of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, in the axis of the nave, there is another unusual chapel. It is called the Chapel of the Most Holy Gifts and is dedicated to the mother of Jesus Christ, which is often found in the churches of the Michelangelo era.
Its construction began in 1296 at the initiative of the Bishop of Paris, Simon Matthias de Boucher. This chapel is also known as Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. It serves for meditation and sacred prayers of the sacred sacrament.
On the right wall you can see an old fresco of the 14th century, which depicts a girl receiving her soul in the presence of Saint Denis and Saint Nicaise, who is the patron saint of the chapel.
On the altar of the chapel, crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Gifts are displayed throughout the day, that is, the bread that has become the body of Christ, symbolizing the presence of God himself. Adoration or worship of the Holy Gifts is widespread in the traditions of the Catholic Church. People come here singly or in groups, in order to silently contemplate God, just to be in front of him, to mentally talk to him in peace and quiet, having renounced everyday fuss.
Pieta
In the depths of the temple, in the most prominent place of the central nave, there is an altar. Behind him at a short distance appears the famous "Pieta" - a sculptural composition of the creation of Nicolas Coust. At its foot is a carved plinth made by Francois Girardon.
In the center is the Virgin Mary holding her dead son in her arms, who had just been taken down from the cross. The gaze of the Mother of God is turned not to the lifeless body of Jesus, but to heaven. Her face expresses grief and, at the same time, hope for the resurrection of Christ, promised to her from above. On the sides of the Virgin Mary are statues of two monarchs: the right one - Louis XIII (sculptor Nicolas Coust) and the left one - Louis XIV (sculptor Antoine Cuazevaux).
At the same time, King Louis XIII, as it were, offers the mother of Christ his crown and scepter, and his son Louis XIV bowed in prayer. This unusual ensemble is surrounded by six bronze angels holding symbols of the Passion of Christ in their hands: a crown of thorns, nails, a sponge with vinegar, a scourge, a pike and an INRI tablet (Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews).
The prehistory of the appearance of the statues also deserves attention. Passionately desiring the long-awaited birth of his future heir, Louis XIII vowed to embellish the altar and the Pieta if the Lord would send him a son. His dream came true in 1638 with the birth of Louis XIV, but 5 years later the king died without fulfilling his promise to the end. His successor managed to realize his father's will only 60 years later, when, as a result of a large-scale reconstruction, the Gothic style was replaced by the Baroque.
Ambulatory - Déambulatoire
In church terminology, an "ambulatory" is a semicircular detour along the altar apse, which is the completion of the central nave. It looks like a continuation of the side aisles, smoothly passing into each other.
In Notre Dame Cathedral, the double ambulatory is separated by a colonnade and has access to the outer apse chapels (chapels). There are five of them in total, and they radiate around the altar ledge, forming a “crown of chapels”. All of them are dedicated to various saints and are decorated with beautiful sculptures and stained glass windows, which are real works of art. They also contain mausoleums, tombs and tombstones of many prominent religious figures and other famous personalities. For example, near the eastern wall of the initial apse chapel dedicated to Saint Guillaume (William), there is the mausoleum of Count Henri Claude d'Harcourt (1704-1769), who served as a lieutenant general in the royal army. The sculptural composition depicts the late count, who, having heard the cry of his kneeling wife at his coffin, rises and, freeing himself from the shroud, stretches out his hands to his devoted wife.
But behind the back of the deceased stands Death herself with an hourglass in her hand, showing the countess that her hour has come. The whole image of the countess expresses a passionate desire to immediately reunite with her beloved husband.
This architectural ensemble was built at the end of the 13th - beginning of the 14th centuries. During a full-scale restoration, which was led in the 19th century by the famous Parisian architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, the entire ambulatory space was decorated using the original wall paintings, recreated with amazing historical accuracy. That is why, an unusually inspired and enthusiastic atmosphere reigns here.
Altar - Choeur
In the middle of the central nave is an unusual medieval altar. On both sides of it are carved scenes, imprinted in stone, called the altar barrier. It appeared in the cathedral in the 14th century, when the master, presumably Jean Ravi, carved an elegant partition from stone, isolating the choir (choirs) from the nave. Scenes from the gospel in sculptural performance are successively depicted on the barrier. All paintings are made in polychrome colors. In the middle of the 19th century, restoration work was also carried out here under the leadership of Viollet-le-Duc, then the color scheme was updated.
Behind the altar, on a considerable elevation, there are long lancet windows lined with colored stained-glass windows of the 19th century, replacing the original lost mosaics of the 13th century.
The reconstruction of the choirs was conceived under Louis XIII, as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, who gave France the long-awaited heir Louis XIV in 1638. From this period, every year on August 15, on the Assumption - the main church holiday dedicated to Mary - the procession solemnly floats through the streets of Paris, as a reminder of the "royal vow". Five years after the birth of his son, Louis XIII, on his deathbed, bequeathed to his successor to complete all the renovations of the altar.
Restoration work was completed in 1723. It took three quarters of a century. The upper rows were then crowned with wooden sculptures that depicted scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
Northern part of the barrier - Clôture du choeur nord
The altar barrier, created at the end of the 13th century, covers 14 scenes from the Bible, clearly telling about the birth and life of Jesus Christ, with the exception of the tragic events that happened after the Last Supper - the imprisonment, trial, scourging and crucifixion of Christ. Biblical scenes are depicted sequentially.
The storyline begins with the fact that the immaculate Virgin Mary meets the righteous Elizabeth, then follows the Nativity of Christ and the good news to the shepherds, the Magi bring their gifts. Next, the slaughter of babies and the flight to Egypt are depicted.
Such scenes from the life of Christ are chosen as the meeting of the baby Jesus with the wise old man Simeon in the temple of Jerusalem, stories about how young Jesus was in the temple among the wise men and among the teachers of the Jews, Baptism and wedding in Cana of Galilee. The final episodes are the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the washing of the feet of the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Over the course of half a century, three masters worked on these sculptural compositions - Pierre de Chelle, Jean Ravi and Jean Le Buteiler. Most of the scenes have a reliable temporal sequence verified from the four gospels. The color scheme of the altar barrier was updated during the restoration of the 19th century.
The southern part of the barrier - Clôture du choeur sud
The altar barrier dates from the beginning of the 14th century. It is composed of nine biblical scenes describing the appearance of Jesus Christ after the Resurrection from the dead. Each biblical story on the south side is clearly separated from the next by a vertical line.
- Meeting of Christ and Mary Magdalene.
- Appearance of Christ to the myrrh-bearing women.
- The meeting of Christ with the apostles John and Peter.
- Meeting of Christ with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
- The Appearance of Christ to the Eleven Apostles at the Supper.
- Appearance of Christ to the Apostle Thomas.
- The meeting of Christ with the disciples on the lake of Tiberias.
- The appearance of Christ to the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee.
- The meeting of Christ with the apostles in Jerusalem is the last appearance, culminating in the ascension of Christ to heaven.
From 1300 to 1350, Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravi and Jean Le Buteilaire worked on the creation of this unique sculptural group. The color scheme was subsequently updated by Viollet-le-Duc's restorers in the 19th century.
Treasury - Tresor
The temple treasury is located in a small building - an extension. Here is an interesting collection of ancient gold and silver items, church utensils, priests' clothes, ancient manuscripts and other sacred relics from the 13th to the 21st centuries. But of particular value are the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ and the Palatine cross-reliquary, where a nail is stored under glass in the lower part, and seven particles of the Life-Giving Cross in the upper part. A golden tablet in Greek says that these relics originally belonged to the 12th-century Byzantine emperor Michael Komnenos.
Some treasures are brought out for display to the public on the first Friday of every month, every Friday of Great Lent and Holy Week.
The collection of relics of Notre Dame Cathedral began to be collected from its very inception, and by the end of the 18th century, the temple treasury was considered one of the most magnificent in Europe. During the French Revolution, part of the treasure was looted, but with the dawn of the Concordat, the collection was restored again and replenished with relics from the Sainte-Chapelle treasury.
Once again, the vault was damaged during the riots of 1830 and 1831, and was restored already in the middle of the 19th century according to the project of Viollet-le Duc. But, despite all the difficulties, the treasury retained its original purpose for storing valuable items used in the liturgy.
Red door - Porte Rouge
This modest doorway on the north side of the choir is called the "Red Door" because of the bright color of its doors. It was erected under the direction of the architect Pierre de Montreuil in the second half of the 13th century and was used as a direct passage between the monastery and the cathedral. The red door connected the monastery, where the canons and choristers lived, with Notre Dame de Paris. In 2012, these gates were restored at the initiative of the Île-de-France Society for the Preservation of Historical Monuments.
On the tympanum above the door is a scene of Christ blessing the Virgin Mary, while an angel places the royal crown on her head. The upper part depicts Saint-Marcel, Bishop of Paris in the 5th century. His remains are considered one of the most precious shrines of the cathedral and rest on top of the cathedral choirs in full view of all parishioners.
On the left side, above the doorway, there is a sculptural panel depicting how the bishop conducts the ceremony of baptism and Holy Communion - the two most important sacraments for Christians of all denominations. On the right side, he sits on the pulpit, preaching. His face expresses spiritual triumph over the devil.
Notre Dame Statue - Vierge à l'Enfant "Notre Dame de Paris"
At the southeast pillar of the transept or transverse nave, to the right of the main altar, you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby in her arms. She is called Notre Dame of Paris. The statue was brought in the 19th century from the chapel of Saint-Aignan on the Ile de la Cité.
This is the most famous and revered sculpture of the Virgin Mary of the 27 similar statues presented at Notre Dame. The period of its creation refers to the XIV century. Installed in 1855 instead of the ancient sculpture of the miraculous Black Virgin, which disappeared without a trace during the years of the revolution.
A bluish light emanates from the sculpture, and a large number of white lilies, with which the Virgin Mary is adorned, exude an amazing aroma. All this is arranged as a sign of the deepest worship.
Transept - Transept
In church architecture, the "transept" is the name of the transverse nave in churches built in the form of a cross or basilica, which crosses the central longitudinal nave at a right angle. The extreme borders of the transept form apses extending beyond the main part of the building, the transept protrudes 2 meters. They coincide in height with the main nave, but the transept differs in that it consists of four tiers.
The transept was completed by 1258. Significant sights are located here, such as the south and north stained-glass rose window, the statue of Notre Dame and Child, the portal of St. Stephen and the Red Gate portal, as well as the main altar. In one of the branches of the transept, you can admire two female figures of the patron saints of France - Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Teresa - the patroness of the baby Jesus, as well as the statue of Saint Dionysius by Nicolas Coust. Many statues were recreated already in the 19th century.
Near the statue of the Virgin Mary, there is a tablet that says that the famous trial that acquitted Joan of Arc took place in this cathedral. And a small bronze plate in the floor informs that the famous poet Paul Claudel adopted the Catholic faith here in 1886.
South rose window - Rose sud
On the south facade of the transept there is a huge stained-glass window in the shape of a rose, the diameter of which is 13 meters. It was originally installed in the 13th century. Some part of the stained-glass window has survived to this day in its original form, the rest of the parts were replaced during the restoration work carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The rosette itself consists of 84 stained-glass fragments, which are laid out in the form of four circles: 24 medallions, 12 medallions, 4-lobed and 3-lobed panels. It is known that during the reconstruction, which took place in the 19th century, Viollet-le-Duc turned the southern rosette by 15 degrees in order to fix it on a solid vertical axis. For this reason, many fragments are not in their original places, and now it is not easy to determine which part of the window was originally occupied by a particular scene.
The stained glass rose depicts Jesus Christ, surrounded by the apostles and other saints revered in France, martyrs and wise virgins.
In the fourth circle, twenty angels are depicted on different fragments holding wreaths, candles and censers in their hands, as well as events from the New and Old Testaments are depicted.
The third circle invites us to get acquainted with nine scenes from the life of St. Matthew, which date back to the last quarter of the 12th century and have been perfectly preserved to this day.
In the central medallion, the original stained-glass fragment was not preserved, so Viollet-le-Duc replaced it with an image of the second coming of Christ: a sword was put into the mouth of the Savior, symbolizing the Word of God, which is intended to separate truth from falsehood. At the feet of Christ lies the Book of Life, and around it are the symbols of the four evangelists: an angel, an eagle, a lion, a calf.
The two lower corner elements tell of the descent into Hell and the resurrection of Christ.
The rose rests on a peculiar belt of 16 lancet stained-glass windows, together with which the total height of the stained-glass window reaches 19 meters. Prophets are depicted on these narrow plates. It was created in 1861 by the artist Alfred Gerent under the direction of Viollet-le-Duc.
Portal of Saint Stephen - Portail Saint-Etienne
On the south side of the transept, facing the embankment of the Seine towards the Latin Quarter, there is a portal that was consecrated in the name of the martyr Saint Stephen. It was built in the 13th century by the architects Jean de Chell and Pierre de Montreuil. In the past, this passage led to the residence of the bishop, the successor of the holy martyr Denis.
The main decoration of the portal is a tympanum, on which episodes of the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen are depicted in stone, as well as scenes from the everyday life of students at the University of Paris. Saint Stephen was the patron saint of the first Parisian cathedral.
Looking at the sculptural composition from right to left and up, you can see how St. Stephen preached to the Jewish authorities and people, and subsequently appeared before the court, was stoned to death, buried and blessed by Christ. The scene in which two clergymen carry a prayer book and consecrated water after the traditional service is noteworthy. This serves as proof that the same holy traditions are observed over time.
North rose window - Rose nord
On the left side of the main altar, on the northern facade of the transept, there is an amazingly beautiful stained glass rose window. It can be called a true masterpiece of high Gothic of the XIII century. Unlike the southern rosette, this stained-glass window has survived almost intact, since 85% of the mosaic is an original work of art by medieval masters.
The northern rose window is located at a height of 21 meters, its diameter is 13 meters. The plot composition depicts the Mother of God with a baby surrounded by characters from the Old Testament. In the central part of the stained glass rosette is placed the Virgin Mary with the newborn Jesus in her arms, and around her are medallions with images of judges, prophets, kings and high priests.
The predominance of lilac and violet shades in the color palette of the mosaic elements symbolizes a long, anxious night in anticipation of the birth of the Messiah.
The composition of the northern rosette is in a kind of movement: stained glass fragments are not arranged along strict vertical and horizontal lines, thus creating the image of a spinning wheel. Illuminated by the rays of the sun, the rose window of the north transept illuminates the dark walls of the nave with bright colors, filling the interior of the temple with divine light.
Portal of the Red Gate - Portail du Cloître
The portal on the north side of the transept is called the Red Gate. Previously, he served as a passage to the monastery, located next to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The central pillar of the portal depicts the Virgin Mother, a genuine statue of the 13th century. She was here initially from the moment of her creation, but the baby, unfortunately, was destroyed. Reminiscent of the famous statue of Notre Dame of Paris of the XIV century, installed inside the cathedral, the Virgin of the portal is still more regal and majestic.
On the tympanum above the gate there is a sculptural scene of the coronation of Mary in the presence of King Louis IX Saint and Queen Margaret of Provence. A little higher are scenes from the childhood of Jesus Christ: the Nativity, his appearance in the temple, the killing of babies and the flight to Egypt.
The archivolts show episodes of miracles that happened to Saints Theophilus and Marcel. In one of the scenes, Saint Marcel extracts the devil in the form of a dragon from the body of a dead sinner. The other shows the divine power of Mary, contained in her son-savior. The story of how Theophilus, having sold his soul to the devil in order to secure the place of the bishop's successor, is impressive, subsequently repented and began to pray to the Virgin. And she broke this agreement, saving Theophilus from the devil's embrace. In the uppermost part above the portal, a bishop is depicted telling a story for the edification of believers.
Separate parts of the original statues that adorned these gates - figures of the Magi and virtues - are exhibited in the Cluny Museum.
Main altar - Autel principal
At the entrance to the choirs there is a raised liturgical platform with a modern bronze altar by French sculptors Jean and Sebastian Touré placed on it. Its consecration took place in 1989.
Following the model of the cathedral in Chartres, on the sides of the main altar are the figures of the four biblical prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
In front are the four evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. As conceived by the creators, this sculptural group symbolizes the connection between the Old and New Testaments.
Since the Second Council in the Vatican, Mass has been celebrated near the entrance to the choir, with the priest facing the congregation, as the Pope always did in St. Peter's Church in Rome.
Side naves - Bas-côtés
Notre Dame Cathedral, in the architectural sense, is a basilica with galleries and double side naves, which are divided in half by longitudinal rows of giant columns. Such additional rows of pillars turn a three-aisled basilica into a five-aisled one. This feature makes the cathedral a much more valuable architectural monument. In the Middle Ages, Gothic cathedrals with double side naves were not often built; tapestries were simply hung in the openings of the arcades.
On the sides of the naves there are seven chapels, going from the fourth to the tenth span. These chapels contain paintings and sculptures on religious themes, which were created to order by the best masters of France. They are presented to the cathedral every year on the first day of May, following a centuries-old tradition associated with Parisian goldsmiths. And in one of the chapels you can see a historical model that clearly demonstrates the progress of the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Nave - Nef
The central nave is an elongated room of ten spans, bounded on both longitudinal sides by a row of columns separating it from the side aisles. The vaults of the nave rise to a height of 33 meters, and its width is 12 meters.
The height of the nave of Notre Dame Cathedral has three levels:
- In the lower tier there are round, polished columns with capitals in the form of skillful wreaths of acanthus leaves.
- In the second tier there are arched openings separated from each other by thin columns.
- On both sides of the third tier, rows of elongated lancet windows lined up, necessary for the penetration of daylight.
Thanks to this, the ceiling, built in the form of a six-petalled stone vault, is clearly visible.
The interior space of the nave seems to be much larger than in an ordinary parish church. The creators of the cathedral, thereby, tried to recreate the image of heavenly Jerusalem, which is described in detail in the Bible. The architectural elements of the Gothic style add refinement and grace to the interior, creating a feeling of touching the heavens, which was not always inherent in the Romanesque architecture of the earlier period.
On both sides of the nave, carved wooden benches from the early 18th century, depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, have been preserved in the choir stalls. They were made specially, as a tribute, in the name of the royal vow of Louis XIII.
Every day, a large number of parishioners gather here for services. A mysterious twilight reigns inside the cathedral. In the course of a large-scale restoration, for better lighting, new windows were additionally made in the side walls of the nave.
Grand Organ - Grand orgue
Under the western rose window is the famous organ of Notre Dame Cathedral. It is not only the largest organ in France, but also one of the largest musical instruments in the world. Today the organ consists of 109 registers and about 7800 pipes.
The first organ was installed in the cathedral in 1402. A new building in the Gothic style was specially designed for it. Since this tool could not completely fill the entire vast space of the cathedral, in 1730 Francois-Henri Clicquot completed its completion. At the same time, the organ acquired its current body in the style of Louis XVI. In the 1860s, the famous 19th-century French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Colle made a complete reconstruction of it, and the baroque instrument received an unusual romantic sound. In the future, the large organ was subjected to various restructurings and replacements several times, but in 1992 the control of the instrument was computerized, and a fiber optic cable was connected to it.
Many famous names have accompanied this organ over the centuries, among them Perotina, the inventor of polyphonic music in the thirteenth century, Campra, Daquin, Armand-Louis Couperin, Cesar Franck, Camille Saint-Saens, and more recently Louis Vierna and Pierre Cauchereau. The position of titular organist of Notre Dame Cathedral is considered one of the most prestigious in France.
You can listen to the sound of a large organ absolutely free of charge every week during Sunday mass.
West Rose Window - Rose ouest
The west rose window is the central stained glass window in Notre Dame de Paris. It was created in 1220 and is the oldest rosette in the cathedral. The stained glass rose appears huge, but its diameter is only 9.6 meters, making this mosaic the smallest of the cathedral's three rosettes.
Harmoniously located in the center of the western facade, it consists of three circles around a central medallion depicting the Mother of God and the baby Jesus. In the first belt from the center there are twelve "minor" prophets, followed by 12 agricultural works by seasons, which correspond to 12 signs of the zodiac.
In the upper circle on the medallions it is shown how the twelve virtues in the form of warriors armed with spears oppose the twelve vices.
To this day, most of the original fragments of the mosaic of the west window have not survived, and the stained glass window itself was almost completely changed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. It is also impossible to fully consider the rosette on the window, since it is partially covered by a large organ.
West Façade - Façade occidentale
The construction of this facade began under Bishop Ed de Sully in 1200, the third architect to work on the construction of the cathedral. This work was continued by his successors, in particular, Guillaume d'Auvergne, and after 1220, the construction was continued by the fourth architect. The north tower was completed in 1240 and the south tower in 1250.
The western facade is the epitome of grandeur, simplicity and harmony. Its strength and power is based on the relationship between vertical and horizontal lines. Four powerful buttresses rush to the tops of the towers, raising them to heaven. Their symbolic meaning is that this temple is dedicated to God. And two wide horizontal stripes seem to return the building back to our mortal earth, being proof that this cathedral also belongs to people.
The dimensions of the western facade are also impressive: 41 meters wide, 43 meters to the base of the towers, 63 meters to the top of the towers.
In the center, next to the Gallery of the Virgin, there is a large rose with a diameter of 9.6 meters, created in 1225, which forms a halo above the head of the statue of the Virgin and Child, which is surrounded by two angels. On both sides of the stone rose are statues of Adam and Eve, which remind us of original sin. They were placed here at the initiative of Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.
Under the balustrade is a wide horizontal frieze called the Gallery of the Kings. Here are 28 figures of the Jewish kings, the forefathers of Christ. The height of each figure is more than three meters. This sculptural composition indicates that Mary was a mortal woman, a representative of the human race, and gave birth to Jesus, who was both man and God. During the revolution of 1793, the stone figures were decapitated, so the restorers of the 19th century had to restore them. Most of the original surviving heads of the kings are now on display in the medieval Cluny Museum.
On the lower level of the facade there are three large portals, which differ significantly from each other. The central portal is known as the Doomsday Portal and is taller and wider than the others. To the right of it is the Portal of St. Anne, and to the left is the Portal of the Holy Virgin. The doors of the gates are decorated with an amazing pattern of wrought iron, and the facade of the portals is decorated with many characters. There are 4 statues on the buttresses: on the south side - the figure of the deacon of St. Stephen, on the north side - the bishop of Saint-Denis, and on the sides of the central portal there are two allegories - a synagogue and a church.
Portal of St. Anne - Portail Sainte-Anne
The southern aisle on the right side of the western façade is called the Portal of Saint Anne, she was the mother of the Virgin Mary. It belongs to the XIII century and is the earliest among other portals.
On the tympanum, in its upper part, Madonna Maesta is depicted, seated on a throne under a canopy. On opposite sides of it were the angels and the builders of the temple - Bishop Maurice de Sully and the kneeling King Louis VII. These statues were created for the church of St. Mary, which previously stood on the site of the cathedral, and then they were transferred to the portal. The lower part of the tympanum depicts scenes from the lives of Joachim and Anna.
On the central pillar of the portal between the doors is a statue of Saint Marcel, bishop of Paris in the 5th century. Saint Marcel was the forerunner of Saint Genevieve. These two figures before the revolution were very revered among the faithful Parisians. They became famous for their bold, inventive and effective works aimed at charity. In addition, like all true fighters for justice, they were highly spiritual personalities, sacredly observing all the sacraments and prayers.
Portal of the Last Judgment - Portail du Jugement
This portal was erected in 1220-1230. It is located in the center of the western facade, striking with its magnificent sculptural decoration. Here is the Last Judgment as it is described in the Gospel of Matthew.
In the center of the tympanum is depicted Christ sitting on a throne in glory, on both sides of him are angels with instruments of the Passion and kneeling figures of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, who pray for sinners. Under the figure of Christ is depicted a heavenly city - New Jerusalem. To the right of him are the figures of the righteous, headed by the Archangel Michael with scales for human souls in their hands. On the other side, devils take sinners to Hell. The Resurrection scene is shown at the very bottom of the tympanum. 
The archivolts depict a variety of saints, women and men, who make up the hierarchy of the Powers of Heaven. On the side pilasters at the gates themselves there are figurines of virgins, five on each side, personifying the "Parable of the Ten Virgins".
On the pilaster that divides the portal into two gates, there is another statue of Christ. He is surrounded by twelve apostles, six on each side. At their foot, on the base of the portal, virtues and vices are represented in small medallions.
Many of the statues that adorned the Portal of the Last Judgment were destroyed during the revolution and subsequently recreated by Viollet-le-Duc, who restored the western façade to its original appearance.
Portal of the Virgin - Portail de la Vierge
The northern portal on the left side of the western façade of Notre Dame Cathedral is called the Portal of the Holy Virgin. It is decorated with statues from the 12th-13th centuries.
On the central pilaster is the figure of the Madonna and Child. The tympanum depicts scenes of the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
On one of the sculptural compositions, you can see how the completion of Mary's life on earth took place. The term "dormition" in the Christian dictionary means death. The dead will fall asleep, but on the Last Day Christ will awaken them for the general resurrection, just as the Lord resurrected him on Easter morning. Symbolizing the connection with the Old Testament, the twelve apostles settled down at the deathbed of Mary, who laid the Ark of the Covenant, where the tablets of the Covenant are located, which serve as a type of the Holy Virgin, in whom the word became flesh. 
Another storyline depicts the scene of the coronation of the Virgin after her resurrection into heaven. She solemnly sits on the royal throne, and the son Jesus blesses her, while the angel places the crown on the head of Mary.
Allegorical figures of twelve months are placed on the side pilasters, various saints and angels are placed on the archivolts.
Legends of Notre Dame Cathedral
For many, Notre Dame is a universal reference book of esotericism. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that the majestic building, which has a long history, like in a shroud, is wrapped in countless legends.
The legend of the blacksmith
The legends of the famous cathedral meet Parisians and thousands of tourists right at the gate. The expression "sell your soul to the devil" is used not figuratively, but in the literal sense of the word, when it comes to the master who forged the gates for the cathedral.
Millennia later, people admire the magic of intricate patterns on the gates with joyful admiration. I can’t believe that such a perfect, incomprehensible beauty could be created by a person.
At the beginning of the 2nd millennium, Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to build a grandiose cathedral, which was supposed to outshine everything that had existed before with beauty and grandeur.
The future cathedral was assigned an honorable role: to become the spiritual stronghold of the nation and accommodate the population of the whole city. The blacksmith was entrusted with an important mission - to create a gate that would match the beauty and craftsmanship of the greatness of the building being erected.
Birscone fell into anxious doubts. The task that stood before him seemed to him so responsible, and his own skill so insufficient, that he called on supernatural powers to help.
It was not even clear how the master managed to create this masterpiece: whether he used forging or casting to create such complex openwork patterns. But the master himself could not answer.
When he came to himself, he was gloomy, thoughtful and taciturn. When the gates were installed and locks were fixed on them, it turned out that no one, including the blacksmith, could open them. Suspecting something was wrong, the castles were sprinkled with holy water, and only after that the gates were let into the church by the astonished servants.
The brilliant master himself soon lost the power of speech and quickly descended into the grave. So they did not have time to extort from him the secret of creating the gate. Some logically assumed that the master simply did not want to reveal the secrets of professional skill.
But rumors and legends reported that there was a deal with the devil. The blacksmith was forced to make such a deal: to sell his soul in exchange for talent.
Be that as it may, but the incomprehensible beauty of the main gate of the temple can really raise doubts that they were created without any intervention of extraterrestrial forces.
The Legend of the Nails of the Holy Cross
Of the four cross nails that were used in the crucifixion of Christ, two are stored in France. One of the nails is in Notre Dame itself. The other is in the church of St. Siffredio, which is located in the city of Carpentras. All sorts of miracles are attributed to this nail.
The miraculous nail was found in Jerusalem by the mother of the Byzantine emperor Constantine and transported to Rome. Elena, the mother of the emperor, is not in vain revered by Orthodox Christians around the world: she saved and preserved many holy relics associated with the life and death of Jesus and the Mother of God. In particular, with her help, the cross was found, on which the Lord was executed.
Believing in the miraculous power of the cross nail, Elena ordered that a bit be made from it for her son's horse. She believed that the power contained in the nail would keep the emperor safe on the battlefield. In 313, Constantine, having defeated Lucinius, put an end to the persecution of Christians and converted to Christianity himself.
Centuries later, the bit ended up in the Cathedral of Carpentras. The nail from this cathedral was a mystical symbol and a talisman of the city during the time of the plague.
From touching it, the sick and crippled were healed, the nail helped to expel demons from the possessed. The Vatican officially recognized cases of medically inexplicable miraculous healings.
The nail, despite its centuries-old age, does not oxidize or rust. Even attempts to gild it did not lead to anything: the gilding lagged behind the nail.
All these miracles, however, do not apply to the nail stored in Notre Dame. This nail has long since rusted. However, the authenticity of the French relic from Carpentras is still disputed by the Roman Church.
The Legend of the Knights
After the destruction of the 1st Temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the trace of the most revered relic of the Jews, the Ark of the Covenant, was lost. The Ark of the Covenant was shaped like a chest and was made of pure gold. It supposedly contained divine revelations that shed light on the laws of the universe.
Among other things, the casket contained the secret of the "golden section". The "golden number" 1, 618 in proportion to 1 was ideal for the construction of architectural structures, when creating sculptures and paintings. The "golden number" was the key that opened the divine secret of the harmony of all things.
According to some versions, the Order of the Knights Templar was considered involved in the discovery of the golden casket. When the first French Templars went to the East to protect the pilgrims going to the Holy Land, they did not limit themselves to this task.
Their mission also included the search for the treasured casket. The rumor that the casket was either found by them, or transferred to the Templars by the secret keepers of the relic, spread throughout France.
In any case, after their return to their homeland, the construction of Chartres Cathedral began. It was destined to become the most majestic and mysterious cathedral in the world.
The altar - "holy place" is located between the second and third columns of the cathedral. If you count down from this place 37 meters down, you can find the ancient well of the Druids (lower point). And at the same distance from the altar is the highest point of the cathedral - the spire of the main column.
This place with dots located symmetrically at the same distance from the main shrine has some kind of magical power. Those who have been there have indelible impressions. It seems that the cathedral transmits a double energy to a person.
Earth energy rises from the bottom of the temple. The energy of heaven descends from above. A person receives such a portion of concentrated pure energy that he is instantly transformed, both physically and spiritually.
Legend of the Sky Symbol
For a medieval dweller, everything he saw was only a reflection of the higher world, invisible to the human eye. Therefore, the entire architecture of the Middle Ages was encrypted into symbols. It is not easy to unravel all this symbolism of geometry, symmetry, mathematics, astrological symbols hidden in the architecture of Notre Dame.
On its central round stained-glass window (rosette) the zodiac signs are depicted and the zodiac symbols are carved from stone next to the figure of the Virgin Mary. This composition is interpreted as a symbol of the annual zodiac cycle.
But the zodiacal cycle begins with the sign of Taurus, while on the stained glass window it originates with the sign of Pisces. And this corresponds not to Western, but to Hindu astrology.
The sign of Pisces corresponds to Venus, based on Greek traditions. But the fish was also a symbol of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ichthus" (fish) in its first letters contained the phrase: "Jesus Christ, God's son."
The gallery of 28 Jewish kings reproduces the lunar cycle. But - again, the mystery of Notre Dame: there were only 18 kings, while the lunar cycle consists of 28 days.
legend of the bell
The bells on the towers of the cathedral have their own names and voices. The oldest of them has the name Belle. And the largest - Emmanuel weighs 13 tons.
All bells, with the exception of the last one, ring daily in the morning and evening. Emmanuel, due to his gravity, is not so easy to swing. Therefore, they are used only in the most solemn occasions.
But, if you believe the legends, then once the cathedral served as a haven for a person who could single-handedly rock this gigantic structure. His name was Quasimodo, he was the bell ringer of Notre Dame.
There is also a beautiful legend related to the creation of this bell. When at one time they wanted to cast it from bronze, Parisians in love with Notre Dame threw their gold and silver jewelry into the molten bronze. That is why the voice of the bell had no equal in beauty and purity of sound.
Legend of the Philosopher's Stone
Esotericists consider Notre Dame to be a kind of body of occult knowledge. The architecture and symbolism of the cathedral have been trying to decipher various researchers of the occult since the beginning of the 17th century.
It is said that ancient alchemists helped the famous architects of the cathedral with their knowledge. And somewhere in the geometry of the building, the secret of the philosopher's stone is encoded. Anyone who can unravel it in countless sculptural moldings will be able to turn any other substance into gold.
And if you manage to decipher the ancient teaching, which, according to the followers of the occult, is encoded in frescoes, then you can comprehend all the secrets of the universe and gain unlimited power over the world.
Tower ticket prices:
- Adult: 8,50 Euro
- Persons from 18-25 years old: 6,50 Euro
Entrance to the Cathedral: for free
How to get there
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, Paris 75004Telephone: +33 1 42 34 56 10
Website: notredamedeparis.fr
Metro: Cite
Working hours: 8:00 - 18:45
Ticket price
- Adult: 8.50 €
- Discounted: 6.50 €
The musical "Notre Dame de Paris" is first and foremost a spectacle. And it's also fifty songs about love, amazing voices, melodic music that combines French chanson and gypsy motifs. "Notre Dame" captures from the first second. From the first second to the very curtain. Now it is difficult to find a person who would not have heard about the musical or would not have listened to the musical itself, if not the whole, then at least excerpts, perhaps not even realizing that this is Notre Dame de Paris. It is safe to say that this musical is the most recognized and most famous in the whole world. And the performers of the main roles won worldwide recognition. The fame of the musical spread long before the premiere, which took place on September 16, 1998 in Paris. The official premiere was preceded by a disc with the songs of the musical, which made a real sensation, having won the top of various charts in many countries. The most famous song of the musical "Belle" became an independent world hit and received several music awards. Of course, after such a success of the released album, the premiere was eagerly awaited, and not in vain. The musical was a huge success and even got into the Guinness Book of Records as the most attended in the first year on stage. We can say that the success of Notre Dame de Paris was predetermined. The brilliant work of Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo was taken as the basis, the music for the musical was written by the talented Italian-French composer Riccardo Coccante, the libretto was written by Luc Plamondon, known throughout the world for his huge contribution to music. He is even called the Most Popular and Greatest Lyricist of Francophonie. If we add to this the stellar acting of the musical and the excellent well-coordinated game of the participants, it becomes clear why queues form at the ticket offices, and the audience comes to see Notre Dame for the second time, and sometimes even for the third or fourth time ...
"Notre Dame de Paris" - the history of the creation of the musical
Based on the novel Notre Dame Cathedral, several films were created, and even a cartoon. For several centuries, the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and the hunchback Quasimodo has been captivating readers and viewers around the world. Luc Plamondon also decided to dedicate a musical to this tragic story. In 1993, Plamondon compiled an approximate libretto for 30 songs and showed it to Coccante, with whom he had already collaborated (“L’amour existe encore”, performed by Celine Dion). The composer had already prepared several melodies: "Belle", "Le temps des cathédrales" and "Danse mon Esmeralda". The musical authors have been working on it for 5 years. 8 months before the official premiere, a disc was released with studio recordings of 16 songs of the theatrical performance, performed by the artists of the musical, with the exception of Esmeralda's parts. This album rocketed to the top of the charts, and the performers of the songs became stars in an instant. The composition "Belle" was written the very first and became the most famous song of the musical.
Having won huge success in his native France, the musical began its triumphal procession around the world. Brussels and Milan, Geneva and Las Vegas. Notre Dame de Paris was the first French musical to make a breakthrough on the American stage. Broadway viewers are used to the fact that the best musicals are created by compatriots. And although "Notre Dame" broke through not to Broadway, but to Las Vegas, the success of the musical was undeniable. The premiere of "Notre Dame de Paris" in Russia took place on May 21, 2002. The sensational musical was staged at the Moscow Operetta Theater. Julius Kim, who translated the libretto from French, compares working on the text with hard labor. When it was announced that work had begun on the Russian version of the musical, the authors began to receive translations from both professional and non-professional poets. And some of the translations were so good that Julius Kim agreed to include them in the final version. Thus, in the final version of the musical, Susanna Tsiryuk became the author of the translation of "Belle". Her translation of the compositions "Live", "Sing to me, Esmeralda" was also included. And the song "My Love" was translated by a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Dasha Golubotskaya.
"Notre Dame de Paris" - the plot of the musical
After the death of her mother, the gypsy Esmeralda was under the care of the gypsy king Clopin. A camp of gypsies tries to sneak into Paris to take refuge in Notre Dame Cathedral, but they are chased away by the royal soldiers. The captain of the skirmishers, Phoebe de Chateaupier, turns his attention to Esmeralda. She attracts him with her beauty, but the captain is not free, he is engaged to fourteen-year-old Fleur-de-Lys.
The hunchbacked and lame bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral comes to the feast of jesters to see Esmeralda. Quasimodo is in love with her, he sees an unearthly beauty in her, she is his complete opposite. He receives the title of King of Jesters. But his stepfather and mentor Frollo, archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, rips off the crown from Quasimodo. He accuses the hunchback of witchcraft and forbids him even to raise his eyes to Esmiralda. Frollo is also secretly in love with a gypsy, and jealousy overwhelms him. However, a priest has no right to love a woman. Therefore, he wants to kidnap Esmeralda and lock her in the tower of the Cathedral. The archdeacon shares his plans with Quasimodo.
They try to kidnap Esmeralda, but Phoebe's detachment was not far away, protecting the beauty. The abduction is also witnessed by the poet Gringoire, who was following Esmeralda. Frollo managed to get out of the water clean, no one even guesses who participated in the kidnapping. And Quasimodo is arrested. Frollo hears how, taking advantage of the moment, Phoebus appoints Esmeralda a meeting in the "Valley of Love" tavern. The "Court of Miracles" is a place where criminals and thieves, vagrants and the homeless gather. Grenoir is neither a criminal nor a vagabond, but he finds himself in the abode of such people, and for this Clopin wants to hang him. Grenoir is promised to save his life if one of the girls agrees to marry him. Esmeralda agrees to help the poet, who, in turn, promises to make her his muse. Esmeralda's thoughts are full of other things. She is madly in love with the young handsome Phoebus de Chateauper. Quasimodo is accused of attempted kidnapping and sentenced to be wheeled. Frollo watches all this. Quasimodo is thirsty, and Esmeralda brings him water. The hunchback, in gratitude, allows her to enter the Cathedral and the bell tower whenever the girl wishes. Frollo is watching the captain of the shooters. Phoebe understands that the young beautiful gypsy likes it. He wants to take advantage of this and goes to Esmeralda in the Valley of Love. The archdeacon finds the beloved in bed, he grabs the gypsy's knife and wounds Phoebe, and Esmeralda is blamed for this crime. When Phoebe recovers, he returns to the bride Fleur-de-Lis. The trial of Esmeralda. She is accused of witchcraft, prostitution, an attempt on the life of the captain of the shooters. She denies everything, but she is sentenced to death by hanging. La Sante Prison Dungeon. Here the unfortunate Esmeralda awaits death. Frollo comes to make a deal: he will let her go if she agrees to accept his love and stay with him. When Esmeralda refuses him, Frollo tries to take her by force. At this time, Clopin and Quasimodo appear. The gypsy king stuns the priest to free his pupil, and Esmeralda hides in Notre Dame Cathedral. The inhabitants of the "Court of Miracles" come for her, but they meet royal soldiers on their way. A group of gypsies and vagabonds enter into an unequal battle, in which Clopin dies. Esmeralda is arrested again and Frollo gives her to the executioner. Quasimodo is looking for his beloved, but finds Frollo, who confesses that he gave Esmeralda to the executioner because he was refused by her. In anger and despair, Quasimodo throws the vile archdeacon from the tower of the Cathedral, but he himself dies, hugging the dead, but still beautiful Esmeralda.
Before you is the Russian version of the musical of the same name based on the novel by Victor Hugo "Notre Dame Cathedral". Excellent translation, brilliant acting and, of course, amazing vocals take us back to ancient times, when the beautiful Esmeralda walked along the Parisian streets. The girl who captivated the priest, the ringer and the captain. A story of love, madness, passion, sin and lawlessness.
