It was the 12th century, and the architects behind a cathedral rising in the heart of Paris wanted to make a statement.
When the architects of Cathedral of Notre-Dame set to work some 850 years ago, their goals were nothing if not ambitious. The church’s sanctuary, they decreed, must be taller than any built before. The nave would rise 108 feet, and the two 223-feet-tall towers would cast a far-reaching shadow over the roofs of Paris.
The 12th century had just entered its second half, and to achieve new heights, the builders made early use of external supports known as flying buttresses.
The cathedral today is one of the most iconic images of Paris, second only, perhaps, to the Eiffel Tower. More than 12 million visitors tour the structure each year, and untold postcards bearing photos of its towers and its rose windows are sent back home.
On Monday, the world was again gazing at Notre-Dame — but now in horror, not awe. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire, causing catastrophic damage. Here’s a look back at one of the city’s most historic landmarks in the late 19th century.
