Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral - Situated in Ile de la Cite, it was built when Maurice de Sully, Bishop of Paris decided to build a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Construction began in 1163 and was completed - roughly 180 years later. The cathedral retells the stories of the Bible in its portals, paintings, and stained glass. It was inside this magnificent early Gothic architecture that Napoleon took the liberty of crowning himself Emperor in 1804.

Just below the Rose Window of the West facade are statues depicting the Gallery of Kings. Jamb statues of the Apostles can also be found in the Central Portal. I could swear one of them (2nd one from right) turned his head slightly towards my direction and gave me a sly wink. (Okay, okay. I must have been suffering from heat-exhaustion).
Stained Glass Window, North Trancept


The Mystery of the Ressurection of Christ - Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the disciples. For 40 days, He shares with them the bread and the word of God. Then He disappears from their sight.

Victor Hugo, one of the most important French romantic writer wrote his famous historical work "Notredame de Paris" (Hunchback of Notredame) in 1831, using the cathedral as its setting. Another one of his well-known works is "Les Miserables" (1862).