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==Prehistory==

==Prehistory==

Notre Dame is located on the southeastern part of the Ile de la Cite, the historic heart of Paris. This location has been used for religious purposes going back to the time of the Roman Empire, when the Gallo-Roman boatmen erected a momument to [[Jupiter]] there. During the Christian era, the site was used for two Romanesque style churches, which were eventually demolished.

Notre Dame is located on the southeastern part of the Ile de la Cite, the historic heart of Paris. This location has been used for religious purposes going back to the time of the Roman Empire, when the Gallo-Roman boatmen erected a monument to [[Jupiter]] there. During the Christian era, the site was used for two Romanesque style churches, which were eventually demolished.

==Construction==

==Construction==

==Style==

==Style==

The arcitecture of Nore Dame is early Gothic. It is interesting to note that architectural styles were changing at the time of construction. One visible result of the long process of construction, is that the church incorporates several different styles, the oldest being at the east end of the church, and the newest being the towers on the west end. Today it is considered a kind of hybrid building, and it is one of the first gothic cathedrals ever built.

The architecture of Nore Dame is early Gothic. It is interesting to note that architectural styles were changing at the time of construction. One visible result of the long process of construction, is that the church incorporates several different styles, the oldest being at the east end of the church, and the newest being the towers on the west end. Today it is considered a kind of hybrid building, and it is one of the first gothic cathedrals ever built.

==History==

==History==

Several notable events have occured within the church of Notre Dame. The [[Third Crusade]] was called for in 1185, and it was also the location of many royal weddings and coronations. The most notable coronation took place in 1804, when [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] crowned himself emperor.

Several notable events have occured within the church of Notre Dame. The [[Third Crusade]] was called for in 1185, and it was also the location of many royal weddings and coronations. The most notable coronation took place in 1804, when [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] crowned himself emperor.

Begining in 1789 and throughout the [[French Revolution]], Notre Dame became a target of vandalism, since many people in Paris considered the church a symbol of the old regime. The church was looted, and many of the statues were broken down, including the 28 statues of the Kings' Gallery, located just above the main portals on the western facade. These kings were originally mean to represent the kings of [[Judah]], but they were misinterpreted as kings of France. As part of the anti-Christian aspect of the French Revolution, the Roman Church was deposed from the building, and Notre Dame was declared a "Temple of Reason".

Beginning in 1789 and throughout the [[French Revolution]], Notre Dame became a target of vandalism, since many people in Paris considered the church a symbol of the old regime. The church was looted, and many of the statues were broken down, including the 28 statues of the Kings' Gallery, located just above the main portals on the western facade. These kings were originally mean to represent the kings of [[Judah]], but they were misinterpreted as kings of France. As part of the anti-Christian aspect of the French Revolution, the Roman Church was deposed from the building, and Notre Dame was declared a "Temple of Reason".

By the 19th century, French author [[Victor Hugo]] became fascinated with the cathedral, and lamented the fact that it was in such disrepair. He wrote his now famous novel ''Notre Dame de Paris'' (commonly known to the English-speaking world as ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'') in part to express these concerns. The novel was heavily critical of certain aspects of French society, including the public apathy regarding the state of the church. As a result of the imense popularity of the novel, a great restoration effort was initiated.

By the 19th century, French author [[Victor Hugo]] became fascinated with the cathedral, and lamented the fact that it was in such disrepair. He wrote his now famous novel ''Notre Dame de Paris'' (commonly known to the English-speaking world as ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'') in part to express these concerns. The novel was heavily critical of certain aspects of French society, including the public apathy regarding the state of the church. As a result of the immense popularity of the novel, a great restoration effort was initiated.

The restoration was led by a French architect named Viollet-le-Duc. Much of the modern appearance of the cathedral is a direct result of his restoration. The great spire located over the crossing is entirely le-Duc's creation.

The restoration was led by a French architect named Viollet-le-Duc. Much of the modern appearance of the cathedral is a direct result of his restoration. The great spire located over the crossing is entirely le-Duc's creation.