Notre Dame or Our Lady has benevolently dominated the island called Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris for approximately 800 years. The Cathedral was begun in 1163 by Bishop Maurice de Sully and completed in 1250 an amazingly swift construction for the times. Its magnificent rose windows are supported by elaborate bar tracery, in which the stained-glass panels are supported by a web of carved stone. The Cathedral hosted Napoleon and Josephine’s imperial crowning in 1804. During later restorations, Notre Dame was enhanced by Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, who added the tall central spire in the 19th century. Notre Dame, with its elegant proportions and outstanding stained glass, has come to be regarded as a true beauty. This is an un-silvered ornament, allowing the light to show through. There is no writing on this ornament; perhaps it may also remind you of your favorite place of worship?
