Notre Dame fire: Crown of Thorns and other priceless artefacts rescued from blaze

The Crown of Thorns was saved from the fire along with other priceless artefacts
Anne Hidalgo
Megan White16 April 2019

Dozens of priceless historical artefacts were rescued from Notre Dame as the cathedral burnt on Monday.

Brave cathedral workers and fire crews removed objects of huge cultural significance which could otherwise have been lost to the inferno.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo confirmed several of the most sacred had been saved, while culture minister Franck Riester said others were being held under lock and key at the city hall.

She thanked the city’s fire department and said they had made a “human chain” to save the works.

Father Fournier, the Fire Department chaplain, is said to have saved the Crown of Thorns, one of the most important artefacts.

These are some of the major pieces which were saved:

Crown of Thorns

File photo: The Crown of Thorns is thought to have been worn by Jesus Christ before the crucifixion
AFP/Getty Images

Purported to be a relic of the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, the hallowed object was stored in the cathedral's treasury.

French King Louis IX brought the relic, which is contained in an elaborate gold case, to Paris in 1238.

The crown has been taken into safekeeping at the nearby City Hall.

Tunic of Saint Louis

The simple garment, said to have been worn by Louis IX as he brought the Crown of Thorns to Paris, was also kept at the cathedral.

Rose Windows

File photo: The North Rose stained glass window at Notre Dame cathedral
PA

It is unknown if all three of the treasured stained glass rose windows had been saved.

Despite reports that one had been destroyed, at least one looked to be intact.

The three windows, which date back to the 13th century, adorn the north, south and west facades.

There were hopes the windows had escaped being destroyed by the fire after firefighters stopped its spread.

Statues of the 12 apostles

A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work last week (REUTERS)
Reuters

The huge copper statues, each almost ten-feet tall, were removed amid ongoing renovation works just days before the blaze.

Bells

Housed in the two western towers, Notre Dame's bells have rung out at key moments in France's history.

Emmanuel, the largest bell, was lifted into the south tower in 1685 and weighs over 23 tonnes.

File photo: One of the newest bells 'Maria' was cast in 2012
EPA

Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, was the cathedral's bell-ringer.

The fire was prevented from spreading to the bell towers.

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