What We Lost in Yesterday's Fire: Notre-Dame in Pictures

Throughout the night, the world watched in horror as tragedy unfolded in Paris: the Cathedral of Paris's Virgin Mary, a symbol of European civilization, was reduced to ash before their eyes. It seemed as though not a single stone would remain of the world's architectural treasure.

Firefighters arrived at the scene of the tragedy just 15 minutes after the fire started, but all their efforts seemed futile: the roof was ablaze, the spire cracked and collapsed, and flames destroyed the bells. Only by mid-night was the fire brought under control.

However, when the cordon was lifted in the morning and experts were finally allowed inside, a miracle occurred: the walls and vaults of the great cathedral remained untouched, and the altar and altar cross were saved.

The main Christian relic — the crown of thorns placed upon Christ's head before his crucifixion — was in a safe and survived. Paintings were also preserved; they were delivered to the City Hall of Paris, after which they will be sent to the Louvre.

The cathedral’s spire, which collapsed yesterday evening and was captured by cameras around the world, now lies in the cathedral's nave. It is scheduled for restoration.

Restoration work on Notre-Dame will begin immediately. The French patrons have already allocated 100 million euros for the effort. The government has announced a national fund drive for donations. Anyone who cares can contribute to the cause.