Historic Bells Reinstalled Ahead of Cathedral’s Reopening
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is taking a significant step towards its reopening following the devastating fire of 2019. A convoy of trucks has delivered eight restored bells to the cathedral, marking a symbolic return to normalcy.
The bells, weighing up to 4 tons, will be blessed and hoisted into the twin towers in preparation for the cathedral’s reopening on December 8th. Rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas expressed the significance of the bells, calling them a sign of the cathedral’s resonance and its ability to bring people together.
Philippe Jost, overseeing the reconstruction project, described the bells’ arrival as a beautiful symbol of the cathedral’s rebirth. The massive reconstruction effort has involved replacing the roof, spire, and damaged bells, with scaffolding gradually being removed from the site.
The bronze bells, built in the 21st century, are replacements for older bells that had become discordant. They were created according to historical tradition to mark the cathedral’s 850th anniversary.
The return of the bells marks a significant milestone in the restoration process. It is a tangible reminder of the cathedral’s resilience and the ongoing efforts to bring it back to its former glory.
