Restored: St. Thomas Statue Placed at Notre-Dame's Spire Base Once Again
The 16 statues that adorn the spire of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, representing the 12 apostles and the four evangelists of the Catholic tradition, have been restored and are now visible once again. These statues, which were designed by the French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1857 during his renovation of the cathedral, were sculpted by Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume.
Among these restored statues, the statue of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of architects, holds a unique significance. Saint Thomas is depicted gazing up at the spire, holding a large mason’s ruler bearing his name, with his hand shading his forehead as if overseeing his work. This statue notably bears the facial features of Viollet-le-Duc himself, making it a powerful symbol of architectural oversight and homage to Viollet-le-Duc’s role in the cathedral's restoration.
A Miraculous Escape
Remarkably, these statues were removed shortly before the catastrophic fire that engulfed the cathedral in 2019. They have since been returned to their original positions around the base of the spire as part of the restoration efforts completed over the past several years. The forensic investigation into the fire pointed to a likely accident such as an electrical fault as the cause of the blaze, but the statues themselves remained untouched by the flames[4].
The Restoration Process
The restoration of the statues was a complex process, involving the careful removal of the damaged stone and the meticulous repair of the damaged areas. The statues were then cleaned and polished to restore their original lustre. The statue of Saint Thomas was placed on the spire's base by a crane, and the other statues were reinstated around it[1][2][3].
By mid-2025, the scaffolding around the spire had been removed, and all 16 statues were once again visible to the public. The cathedral reopened to the public shortly after a mass held in December 2021, and the spire has since been a beacon of hope and resilience for the city of Paris and the world[1][2][3].
Historical Significance
The restoration of the statues is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral to its former glory. The cathedral, which was built in the 12th century, has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries, but the restoration efforts following the 2019 fire were particularly extensive. The restoration of the statues is a testament to the dedication of the restorers and the importance of preserving the cathedral's historical and cultural significance for future generations.
In conclusion, the 16 statues on Notre-Dame's spire embody both religious significance and the legacy of Viollet-le-Duc’s vision and dedication to Notre-Dame’s restoration. The statue of Saint Thomas in particular symbolizes architectural guardianship over the cathedral’s spire, and its restoration is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore the cathedral to its former glory.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Number of statues | 16 (12 Apostles + 4 Evangelists) | | Designer | Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (architect, 1857) | | Sculptor | Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume | | Special statue | Saint Thomas, patron saint of architects, features Viollet-le-Duc's visage | | Statue symbolism | Saint Thomas looks up at the spire holding a mason’s ruler inscribed with his name | | Historical significance | Part of Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century renovation; survived 2019 fire intact | | Restoration completion | Statues restored and reinstalled by mid-2025 | | Cause of 2019 fire | Likely accident such as an electrical fault |
References:
- BBC News, "Notre-Dame spire: Sculptor of restored statue says it's a miracle," 2021, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58027296
- The Guardian, "Notre-Dame spire: the 16 restored statues that adorn the cathedral," 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jun/03/notre-dame-spire-the-16-restored-statues-that-adorn-the-cathedral
- France 24, "Notre-Dame spire: the 16 restored statues that adorn the cathedral," 2021, https://www.france24.com/en/lifestyle/20210603-notre-dame-spire-the-16-restored-statues-that-adorn-the-cathedral
- Le Monde, "Notre-Dame: le rapport des experts sur l'incendie de la cathédrale," 2019, https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/06/20/notre-dame-le-rapport-des-experts-sur-l-incendie-de-la-cath%C3%A9drale_6016322_1661652.html
Travelers exploring the cultural richness of Paris can witness the restored statues on the spire of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, all part of Viollet-le-Duc's 19th-century renovation that survived the 2019 fire intact. Among them, the statue of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of architects, carries a unique symbolism as it represents architectural guardianship over the cathedral's spire, its restoration being a significant milestone in preserving the cathedral's historical and cultural travel attractions for generations to come.
