The iconic spire of Notre Dame collpased onto the cathedral after a fire broke out Monday evening. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but has caused extensive damage to the Parisian landmark.
“Anybody who has ever been to Paris, or anyone who has ever studied Gothic architecture is going to be crying tonight,” said Janis Elliott, TTU professor of Medieval History.
The cathedral attracts more than 12 million people every year, including visitors from Lubbock. Amelia and Kevin Funk visited Notre Dame eight years ago, and said watching it burn was a surreal experience.
“We have a photograph of Amelia with that spire right behind her head,” Kevin said. “To see it come down years later is just such a heartbreaking sight,”
“I just wanted to cry,” Amelia said. “That place is just so beautiful and I can’t believe that all that history is going to be lost.”
French officials say Notre Dame is not a complete loss, but extensive repairs will be needed in the future.
“We have to remember that the body of Christ is not a building, it is the people of God,” said Reverand Martin Piña. “I think this will draw all of us to come together and re-build what has been lost.”
