The Hunchback of Notre Dame Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Research Paper Example It was saved from destruction and restored to its marvelous state by a famous French architect known as Eugene Viollet -le- Duc1. Many Francophone countries use the name Notre Dame in Catholic churches as it means Our Lady. Understanding the structure and significance of the building requires proper movement through the building. The Notre Dame de Paris was believed to among the first cathedrals constructed in Gothic design with its construction period spanning around the Gothic era. Its stained glass and sculptures show the powerful influence of naturalism which was different from the Romanesque architecture. The building was among the first buildings to use the arched exterior supports also known as the flying buttress. The original design was not made to include the implementation of flying buttress around the nave and choir. During construction, the thinner walls made in Gothic style began growing higher thus causing stress fractures to occur due to outward movement of the walls. To counter the move the architects of the cathedral built supports around the outer walls, later on, more additions were added to the pattern. In the 1790s the cathedral underwent desecration throughout the radical phase of the revolutionary French revolution when most of the religious imagery was destroyed or damaged. The 19th century was marked as a period of conducting a restoration project on the cathedral to return it to its marvelous state2. The cathedral was opened by a bishop of Paris known as Maurice de Sully in 1160 who had the idea of converting the two ruin basilicas into a single building for the large-scale purpose. In 1163 Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone and consecration of the high altar began in 1189.By 1250 the nave, western facade, and choir had been completed and the next 100 years saw the addition of chapels, porches and other embellishments.