A new golden rooster has been installed on the Notre Dame cathedral in a pivotal moment for the Paris landmark’s restoration.
Key points:
- Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve says the original rooster’s survival signified a ray of light in the catastrophe
- The rooster was blessed by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich in a square behind the monument
- A sealed tube was put in the sculpture containing the names of nearly 2,000 people who helped with the cathedral’s reconstruction
The sculpture, installed by a crane on Saturday, reimagines the original rooster as a dramatic phoenix with licking, flamed feathers that goes beyond being just a weathervane atop the cathedral spire.
It symbolises resilience amid destruction after the devastating April 2019 fire as restoration officials also reveal an anti-fire misting system is being kitted out under the cathedral’s roof.
Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve, who designed the new rooster, stated that the original rooster’s survival signified a ray of light in the catastrophe.
“That there was hope, that not everything was lost. The beauty of the [old] battered rooster expressed the cry of the cathedral suffering in flames,” Mr Villeneuve said.
He described the new half-metre work of art as his “phoenix”.
“Since [the fire] we have worked on this rooster [the] successor, which sees the flame carried to the top of the cathedral as it was before, more than 96 metres from the ground — it is a fire of resurrection,” he said.
In lighthearted comments, the architect said the process of design was so intense he might have to speak to his “therapist” about it.
Before ascending to its perch, the rooster was blessed by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich in a square behind the monument.
Archbishop Ulrich placed sacred relics in a hole inside the rooster’s breast, including fragments of Christ’s Crown of Thorns and remains of St Denis and St Genevieve, infusing the sculpture with religious importance.
The Crown of Thorns, regarded as Notre Dame’s most sacred relic, was among the treasures quickly removed after the fire broke out. Brought to Paris by King Louis IX in the 13th century, it is purported to have been pressed onto Christ’s head during the crucifixion.
A sealed tube was also placed in the sculpture containing the names of nearly 2,000 individuals who contributed to the cathedral’s reconstruction, underscoring the collective effort behind the works.
Amid the rooster benediction ceremony, Notre Dame’s new restoration chief, Philippe Jost, also detailed pioneering measures taken to safeguard the iconic cathedral against future fires.
“We have deployed a range of fire protection devices, some of which are very innovative in a cathedral, including a misting system in the attics, where the oak frame and in the spire are located,” Mr Jost said. “And this is a first for a cathedral in France.”
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the site to mark a one-year countdown to its re-opening, announcing that the original rooster would be displayed in a new museum at the Hôtel-Dieu.
This move, along with plans to invite Pope Francis for the cathedral’s reopening next year, highlights Notre Dame’s significance in French history and culture.
The rooster’s installation, crowning a spire reconstructed from Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century design, is a poignant reminder of its medieval origins as a symbol of hope and faith.
Its longstanding association with the French nation since the Renaissance further adds to its historical and cultural significance, marking a new chapter of renewal and hope for Notre Dame and French people.
AP