70,000 pieces of scaffolding removed from Notre Dame spire
Over 70,000 pieces of scaffolding, weighing six hundred tons comprised the shell protecting the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral. According to a recent feature in the Washington Post, removal of this scaffolding represented a milestone in the reconstruction of Notre Dame that has been underway since April of 2019, when a destructive fire caused extensive damage to the cathedral.
As impressive as the amount of scaffolding shrouding the spire is, the article also notes that much of the cathedral remains encased in scaffolding. With an anticipated reopening date of December 8 of this year, workers will be busy in the upcoming months, both in finishing the restoration work and in dismantling hundreds of tons of more scaffolding. Indeed, photos of Notre Dame under reconstruction exhibit scaffolding encasing nearly three-quarters of the cathedral building.
It seems ironic that while scaffolding is integral to the restoration of Notre Dame, it was a major cause for concern in the wake of the 2019 fire. According to The Architect’s Newspaper, scaffolding had been erected as part of a planned restoration on the roof and spire. The fire occurred as this project was underway, and the scaffolding intended to support and stabilize the structure melted in the fire, leaving it twisted and weakened. Officials were concerned the damaged scaffolding, possibly melted to the building, might collapse, putting the cathedral structure at further risk.
The description in The Architect’s Newspaper of the process of removing approximately two hundred tons of scaffolding speaks to a literal balancing act. The integrated system of “flying buttresses, columns, counterweights, and vaults that kept the ceiling and walls in balance” was imperiled by damage from the fire in the first place. In a structure in need of stabilization, removal of the damaged scaffolding was a necessary, but very risky process.
The outlook for Notre Dame today is quite encouraging. The anticipated December 8 is a holy day on the Catholic calendar: the celebration of Immaculate Conception. This is a wonderful day to celebrate the completion of all the years of work.
If it seems the timeline of the Notre Dame restoration seems lengthy, it is not the only Cathedral observing the removal of scaffolding recently. A recent post by the Institute of Conservation (ICON) in the United Kingdom reported recently that the Salisbury Cathedral was “scaffolding-free” for the first time in thirty-eight years. This is nearly as long as it took to build the main cathedral; building began in 1220 A.D., with the main building completed in 1258. It took another seventy-two years, however, to complete the tower and spire that were added to the cathedral .
The Salisbury Cathedral restoration began with a survey of the building in 1986 which revealed extensive wear in the stonework, creating dangerous conditions. During the course of the restoration over 1,100 stones were replaced. In addition to their structural role, the stones of the cathedral offer a means of recording history. Stones set in the recent restoration include one that commemorates the accession of King Charles III to the throne. Another stone honors a spitfire factory in Salisbury and its significant contributions to England’s efforts during World War II.
Just as faith and religion represent links between the amazing structures of Notre Dame and the Salisbury Cathedral, scaffolding serves as a link to even earlier religions. The Training Academy notes that the use of scaffolding in construction and repair work goes back centuries. But that’s an understatement; it goes back millennia. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome used scaffolding techniques, such as ladders and ramps in the construction of pyramids and temples. The construction of the Gothic cathedrals in medieval Europe saw the development of scaffolding made from wooden planks and poles.
If the amount of scaffolding used solely for the Notre Dame cathedral restoration is amazing, just stop to consider how much scaffolding has been used through the ages. Reflecting on this can be mind-boggling and humbling. It can also foster a tremendous sense of continuity and pride.
Consider all who have come before us, and the creativity and determination they brought to erecting incredible structures, some of which still exist to tell us the stories of our history. Our relationship to the past, our ancestors, and those who were builders before us, is like scaffolding itself, continuously connecting and rising. This brings another question to contemplate: how will future architects, builders and those who supply and support this industry look back on this period at the beginning of the third millennium?