Professor Kathryn Holliday
intro
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened on December 8, 2024, following a five-year restoration after the 2019 fire that destroyed its roof and spire. The extensive project stabilized the structure, rebuilt the roof and spire, and meticulously restored the interior, including its iconic stained-glass windows and artwork. Architecture historian Kathryn Holliday highlights how Notre-Dame’s history reflects continual evolution, with many of its defining Gothic features — such as the spire and gargoyles — added in the 19th century by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who aimed to enhance its Gothic character. Restoration decisions focused on preserving the cathedral’s historical integrity, rejecting modern proposals like a glass roof to maintain its connection to the past.
Holliday notes that Notre-Dame serves as both a symbol of medieval Paris and a secular icon of the city’s resilience amid modernization, with its bright and clean restoration challenging traditional perceptions of aged Gothic architecture. She emphasizes that the restoration serves as an inspiration for communities everywhere to unite and advocate for the preservation of their own meaningful landmarks and shared histories.
For the full interview, read the original article by Jodi Heckel: What can the Notre-Dame restoration tell us about how we value historic structures?
Professor Kathryn Holliday