The works are still hidden in the sight of Parisians and tourists for the scaffold, but will be visible in late August when it is dismantled
The last of the 16 statues that adorned the base of the needle, in, was reinstalled on Thursday (24), just over six years after the 2019 fire, announced the public agency in charge of the restoration and conservation of the temple. The figure of Sao Tome was the last of the missing statues, after all were removed for their restoration days before the fire that devastated the building on April 15, 2019.
The statues are still hidden in sight of Parisians and tourists by the scaffold at the base of the needle, but will be visible in late August, as soon as it is dismantled, the organ detailed in a statement. The installation of the last statue on the needle marks the culmination of work at the top of the cathedral, performed by roofers and ornamentalists.
The statues were designed in 1857 by Eugène Viollet-Le-Duc, the architect responsible for the broad restoration of the temple held in the nineteenth century, which included the reconstruction of the medieval needle. They were carved by Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume and represent the 12 apostles and the symbols of the four evangelists (Leo, Taurus, Angel and Eagle). The cathedral reopened its doors in December last year, although some external restoration works continue.
The president of the public agency in charge of supervising the reconstruction, Philippe Jost, highlighted the importance of the stage reached today and thanked France to the workers that made him possible, for his “commitment, unity, pride and extraordinary talent.”
*With information from EFE
Posted by Nátaly Tenório
