The Notre-Dame Cathedral received a new roof, a ton colossus was transported along the Seine

Paris – The Paris Cathedral of Notre-Dame, significantly damaged by a fire four years ago, now has a new oak roof structure starting from today. The several-ton structure was transported to the center of the French capital via the Seine River on a boat so large that it temporarily interrupted other shipping traffic for several hours. The installation of the roof structure is a significant milestone in the repairs of the sanctuary. The reconstruction using original medieval methods is expected to be completed next year with a ceremonial opening in December, reported BFM TV.

For the restoration of the wooden roof structure of the cathedral, 1,200 oaks were carefully selected, which carpenters are manually cutting down. The roof structure currently installed is made of oak beams and consists of three triangular parts, each measuring 15 by 12 meters and weighing seven tons. The boat that transported other building materials and beams measures 80 meters. A crane lifted the roof structure from the boat to the cathedral.

"We are using transportation means available to us. This method is perfect, it is ecological, but it is also the easiest way to bring the three parts of the roof structure to the Île de la Cité," stated General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who is supervising the reconstruction. "We are progressing step by step towards reopening, calmly and peacefully," he added.

Tourists and locals came to watch the transport of the roof structures to central Paris. Minister of Transport Clément Beaune was also present, reported the AFP agency.

The world-famous architectural and ecclesiastical monument in the heart of Paris was engulfed in flames on April 15, 2019. The fire spread in the roof structure and consumed extensive parts of the medieval building. The cause of the fire has not yet been fully clarified. The disaster could have been caused by a fault in the electrical system or a cigarette butt. The monument, protected by UNESCO and made famous by Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, attracted over 13 million visitors annually before the fire.