In brief
The Crown of Thorns, a relic believed to have been worn by Jesus during his crucifixion, has made its triumphant return to Notre-Dame Cathedral after surviving a devastating fire.
An ancient relic, the Crown of Thorns, has officially returned to its rightful home at Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after it was nearly lost in a catastrophic fire. The crown, which is said to be made from rushes and encased in a stunning crystal and gold structure, was restored in a ceremony led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. Originally acquired by King Louis IX in 1239, the crown has had a royal history and was moved to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806.After the church was ravaged by flames in 2019, firefighters risked their lives to save this invaluable artifact, which has since been held at the Louvre Museum during extensive renovations of the cathedral. The newly built reliquary now houses the crown, which will be publicly displayed starting January 10. The cathedral itself re-opened on December 8, following a massive restoration effort involving 2,000 skilled craftspeople and costing around €700 million. In the reopening ceremony, President Macron emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, underscoring the cathedral's historical significance.
