Modern techniques to rebuild centuries-old monument? It worked for Notre-Dame
France is now wondering whether to recreate the destroyed oak-framed roofing and spire or adapt the cathedral to the 21st century.
REIMS (Reuters) - Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, another stunning example of Gothic architecture, is located in the centre of the small French northeastern town of Reims, where it suffered similar damages to that of Notre-Dame de Paris before being restored after the end of World War One.
Patrick Demouy, an emeritus professor of medieval history who specializes in the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, said the blaze that gutted the centuries-old roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris bore a stark similarity to that of the Reims cathedral.
"An aviator who was flying over the town that night described a huge cross of fire," he said of the inferno caused by shells that hit the monument on September 19, 1914 setting the 15th century oak roof structure ablaze.
France is now wondering whether to recreate the destroyed oak-framed roofing and spire or adapt the cathedral to the 21st century.
Concrete was used in the subsequent reconstruction of gables and roof beams of the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral.
Demouy said restoration works began after the end of the war and that there was a lot of damage to be repaired since the cathedral was hit by more than 300 shells during the conflict.
"Our churches often suffered great damages by fire or war exploits, and when we restored them we did so using the means of the time and even embellished them over the centuries," he said.
Demouy added that though he was in favour of restoring the Notre-Dame de Paris 19th century spire to how it was, he was not against using modern techniques to do so.
"It doesn t seem at all scandalous to me that 21st century techniques be used to restore a 13th century monument. That s life," he said.
Restoration on the whole cathedral ended in 1937 after 20 years of works.
President Emmanuel Macron pledged in a prime-time address to the nation that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt within five years.
