Five years after a catastrophic fire, the sacred Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ, has returned to its rightful place at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Crown of Thorns Makes Triumphant Return to Notre-Dame Cathedral
Crown of Thorns Makes Triumphant Return to Notre-Dame Cathedral
Symbol of Faith Restored Following Devastating Blaze
The ancient relic known as the Crown of Thorns has once again found its home at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, following a significant five-year hiatus due to a devastating fire that struck the iconic site in 2019. This deeply revered item, thought to have adorned Jesus Christ during his crucifixion, was ceremoniously returned on Friday in an event led by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich.
Encased within a crystal and gold casing, the Crown of Thorns originates from the era of King Louis IX, who brought it from Constantinople in 1239, at a staggering cost of 135,000 livres—an expense almost equivalent to half of France's annual budget at the time. After residing in Sainte-Chapelle for centuries, the crown was transferred to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, only to face peril when the cathedral suffered extensive damage in a fire. First responders created a human chain to rescue this sacred relic and other treasured artifacts, saving them from the inferno that consumed much of Notre-Dame's interior.
For the past five years, the Crown of Thorns has been housed at the Louvre Museum, while restoration efforts for the cathedral were undertaken. It has now been placed in a newly designed reliquary, replacing the former one from 1806. The return ceremony featured a procession attended by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, an esteemed Catholic knighthood.
Starting from January 10, the Crown of Thorns will be open for public viewing, providing a chance for visitors to connect with this profound piece of history. Notre-Dame Cathedral has undergone a significant restoration concluding with its public reopening on December 8, involving a committed workforce of around 2,000 artisans at an estimated cost of €700 million (£582 million). During the reopening event, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the restoration's significance, remarking, "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will."
Encased within a crystal and gold casing, the Crown of Thorns originates from the era of King Louis IX, who brought it from Constantinople in 1239, at a staggering cost of 135,000 livres—an expense almost equivalent to half of France's annual budget at the time. After residing in Sainte-Chapelle for centuries, the crown was transferred to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, only to face peril when the cathedral suffered extensive damage in a fire. First responders created a human chain to rescue this sacred relic and other treasured artifacts, saving them from the inferno that consumed much of Notre-Dame's interior.
For the past five years, the Crown of Thorns has been housed at the Louvre Museum, while restoration efforts for the cathedral were undertaken. It has now been placed in a newly designed reliquary, replacing the former one from 1806. The return ceremony featured a procession attended by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, an esteemed Catholic knighthood.
Starting from January 10, the Crown of Thorns will be open for public viewing, providing a chance for visitors to connect with this profound piece of history. Notre-Dame Cathedral has undergone a significant restoration concluding with its public reopening on December 8, involving a committed workforce of around 2,000 artisans at an estimated cost of €700 million (£582 million). During the reopening event, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the restoration's significance, remarking, "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will."
