The Crown of Thorns has embarked on a new chapter at Notre-Dame Cathedral, symbolizing resilience and historical reverence following a devastating fire.
**Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Following Restoration**
**Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Following Restoration**
A historic relic, believed to have adorned Jesus Christ, is ceremoniously restored to its home post-fire.
The legendary Crown of Thorns, long believed to be worn by Jesus Christ during the crucifixion, has been officially returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral after five years of recovery efforts from a catastrophic fire that severely damaged the structure. The crown, encased in a stunning crystal and gold artifact, was brought back during a ceremonial event presided over by Paris's Archbishop, Laurent Ulrich.
Originally acquired by King Louis IX of France in 1239 from Constantinople for a staggering sum of 135,000 livres—equivalent to nearly half of France's annual budget at the time—the Crown of Thorns was housed in the Sainte-Chapelle before making its way to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806. The catastrophic fire of 2019, which obliterated much of the cathedral's wooden edifice and caused the spire to collapse, prompted a heroic effort by firefighters and police to save vital relics, including this sacred crown.
Since the fire, the Crown of Thorns has been safely displayed at the Louvre Museum while Notre-Dame underwent significant restoration work, which involved the collaboration of about 2,000 skilled craftspeople and a considerable budget of approximately €700 million (£582 million). During a procession marking the crown's return, the ceremony was attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, highlighting the crown's spiritual importance.
Beginning January 10, visitors will have the opportunity to view the revered crown in its newly crafted reliquary, replacing the previous one lost to the fire. Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened to the public on December 8, following extensive restoration. During the reopening ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of cherishing the lessons learned from the fragile yet significant journey of this iconic monument.
Originally acquired by King Louis IX of France in 1239 from Constantinople for a staggering sum of 135,000 livres—equivalent to nearly half of France's annual budget at the time—the Crown of Thorns was housed in the Sainte-Chapelle before making its way to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806. The catastrophic fire of 2019, which obliterated much of the cathedral's wooden edifice and caused the spire to collapse, prompted a heroic effort by firefighters and police to save vital relics, including this sacred crown.
Since the fire, the Crown of Thorns has been safely displayed at the Louvre Museum while Notre-Dame underwent significant restoration work, which involved the collaboration of about 2,000 skilled craftspeople and a considerable budget of approximately €700 million (£582 million). During a procession marking the crown's return, the ceremony was attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, highlighting the crown's spiritual importance.
Beginning January 10, visitors will have the opportunity to view the revered crown in its newly crafted reliquary, replacing the previous one lost to the fire. Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened to the public on December 8, following extensive restoration. During the reopening ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of cherishing the lessons learned from the fragile yet significant journey of this iconic monument.
