Ceremony attended by dignitaries celebrates the return of a cherished artifact, with plans for public display starting January.
Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Amidst Restoration Celebrations
Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Amidst Restoration Celebrations
Historic relic restored to Notre-Dame Cathedral five years post devastating fire, marking a significant moment in the ongoing revival of the iconic site.
The iconic Crown of Thorns has made its long-awaited return to Notre-Dame Cathedral following a catastrophic fire that occurred five years ago. This ancient relic, believed to be worn by Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, was enshrined during a special ceremony led by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. The Crown, a delicate assemblage of rushes encased in crystal and gold, was originally acquired by King Louis IX of France from Constantinople in 1239 for a staggering 135,000 livres—an amount that represented nearly half of France's annual budget at that time.
Though initially housed at the Sainte-Chapelle, the Crown found its home in Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, where it remained until the church was engulfed in flames in 2019. Following the fire, which ravaged the cathedral's interiors and brought down its iconic spire, a determined effort by firefighters and police enabled the rescue of this and other invaluable artifacts. For the duration of renovations, the Crown has been safely stored at the Louvre Museum.
During the return ceremony, a procession featuring members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher marked the significance of the occasion. Excitingly, the public will be able to view the Crown of Thorns starting January 10, as the cathedral opened its doors to visitors on December 8 after extensive restoration work involving approximately 2,000 craftspeople at a reported cost of €700 million (£582 million).
At a grand reopening ceremony attended by global leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of this restoration, stating, "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will." As Notre-Dame begins to heal, the meticulous restoration process continues to draw admiration for preserving its historical and cultural heritage, including beloved features like gargoyles, stained glass, and the spire.
Though initially housed at the Sainte-Chapelle, the Crown found its home in Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, where it remained until the church was engulfed in flames in 2019. Following the fire, which ravaged the cathedral's interiors and brought down its iconic spire, a determined effort by firefighters and police enabled the rescue of this and other invaluable artifacts. For the duration of renovations, the Crown has been safely stored at the Louvre Museum.
During the return ceremony, a procession featuring members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher marked the significance of the occasion. Excitingly, the public will be able to view the Crown of Thorns starting January 10, as the cathedral opened its doors to visitors on December 8 after extensive restoration work involving approximately 2,000 craftspeople at a reported cost of €700 million (£582 million).
At a grand reopening ceremony attended by global leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of this restoration, stating, "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will." As Notre-Dame begins to heal, the meticulous restoration process continues to draw admiration for preserving its historical and cultural heritage, including beloved features like gargoyles, stained glass, and the spire.
