notre dame before and after
A combination picture shows the Notre-Dame Cathedral before and after a fire devasted large parts of the gothic structure in Paris France. Image Credit: Reuters
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How is it possible that, despite the big fire that erupted in a very old church, the structure is still standing?

Thanks to the valiant firefighters who confronted the flames in a prolonged "face-to-face" battle, Notre Dame Cathedral still stands. This has been described by some as no less than a "miracle".

Much of the roof of the cathedral, one of Paris' most iconoic sites, collapsed. Its interior is decimated. The charred walls of the Notre Dame, however, remain standing over the French capital's Seine River.

Here's a look into the historic cathedral before and after the Monday inferno that hit the 850-year-old church, listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, in Paris, France.

BEFORE

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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, circa 1860s. Image Credit: Library of Congress
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In an illustration by Pierre Gabriel Berthault, the benediction of the flags of the Paris National Guard at Notre Dame in Paris, Sept. 27, 1789. Image Credit: Library of Congress
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General view of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the River Seine in Paris, September 26, 2010. Image Credit: Reuters
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This file photo taken on February 1, 2004 shows the organ of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, one of the most famous in the World. Image Credit: AFP
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This file photo taken on June 26, 2018 shows the transcept of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. Image Credit: AFP
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In this file photo taken on August 20, 2017 participants stand inside The Notre Dame de Paris cathedral. Image Credit: AFP
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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Sept. 15, 2017. Image Credit: The New York Times
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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Sept. 15, 2017. Image Credit: The New York Times
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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Sept. 15, 2017. Image Credit: The New York Times
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A photo of the western façade of the Notre Dame Cathedral showing the French livery posted on July 14, 2018 on the church’s Facebook page. Image Credit: FB
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AFTER

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A boat passes by Notre-Dame-de-Paris on April 16, 2019 in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral. Image Credit: AFP
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Member of the French Constitutional Council (Conseil Constitutionnel) Alain Juppe walks outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 16, 2019, in the aftermath of a fire that caused its spire to crash to the ground. Image Credit: AFP
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Scaffolding surrounds a section of the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Image Credit: Bloomberg
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The fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral stands on the bank of the River Seine in Paris, France. Image Credit: Bloomberg
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The landmark Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral his pictured following a fire in the center of the French capital Paris. Image Credit: AFP
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Notre Dame cathedral is pictured from the top of the Montparnasse tower. Image Credit: AP
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Notre-Dame-de-Paris in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral. Image Credit: AFP
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Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, in the aftermath of a fire that caused its spire to crash to the ground. Image Credit: AFP
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