Let’s not mince words: Notre-Dame, the beloved icon of Paris, has always been more than just a cathedral. Built over two centuries, its spires have witnessed wars, revolutions, and enough existential crises to rival a French café. So when the 2019 fire nearly reduced it to history’s ashtray, the world collectively gasped—and for once, not because someone had just overcharged for a baguette.
Notre-Dame isn’t just a Gothic wonder; it’s also a curious nod to Islamic architectural genius. Yes, the famed pointed arches—those soaring symbols of European elegance—trace their lineage back to Islamic design, brought to Europe by literate craftsmen from Muslim Spain. If architecture could talk, it would probably say, “Collaboration, not clash, builds empires.”
Debunking Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the oldest architectural structures, is located in Paris. It is a masterpiece of Gothic structure. It took nearly two centuries to build. The construction began in 1163 under the direction of Bishop Maurice de Sully. It took over 100 years to complete. It has had a long history and has seen many historical events and wars. It is renowned for its soaring spires, stained glass windows, and flying buttresses.
Notre-Dame fire incident
A structural fire broke out in the roof space of Notre-Dame Cathedral on 15 April 2019. By the time the fire was stopped, the cathedral’s wooden spire had crumpled, and the cathedral’s upper walls were severely damaged, and most of the wooden roof was destroyed. The vaulted stone ceiling prevented the extensive damage to the interior.
Many works of art and religious relics were moved to safety, but others suffered smoke damage. After the incident, President Emmanuel Macron vowed to the nation, ‘We will rebuild it within five years, all of us together.
Leadership, money, and workforce
It may seem impossible, but France managed this achievement with proper leadership, money, and workforce. They made it happen with their dedicated workforce. Hundreds of donors contributed more than 840 million euros. About 2000 people worked together to rebuild this structure, including architects and other professionals. So those 3 keywords play a vital role in every century, as our ancestors had used those words for years and thus succeeded.
The influence of Islamic architecture in Notre-Dame Cathedral
One of the important features in Gothic architecture is the Gothic arch. Ibn Tulun Mosque, one of the oldest and largest mosques, where the design of the arch originated from Islamic architecture, has influenced European Gothicism.
As we look back on history, we see the literate craftsmen who brought their advanced knowledge of geometry and algebra into Europe via Muslim Spain and Sicily. Their skills passed down through the generations and were acknowledged across Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. Later, when working for new Christian masters, they astonished them by building vast buildings as cathedrals with their advanced techniques.
With brilliant geometric patterns, Islamic architecture has enchanted the world for centuries.
How will Trump react?
As the rebuild of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Trump, the newly elected US president, was welcomed by world leaders at the Notre-Dame opening ceremony. It is also the reopening of president Donald Trump as a global leader.
We just hope that he can appreciate what this historical structure represents, with its wealth of connections between Europe’s Gothic Cathedral and the Islamic world. We hope that such knowledge may guide him in his future decisions in the region.