By Samuel Motley

The world watched in sorrow this week as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was engulfed in flames.

Starting at 6:20 p.m. Paris time, a fire alarm went off inside the Cathedral and evacuation of mass began, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. By 6:43 p.m., the fire was confirmed as the world watched in shock. At 8:05 p.m., the Cathedral’s famous spire collapsed in one of the most heart-wrenching moments for the French, Catholics and countless tourists who have visited the cathedral over the years.

The building has been both a symbol of architectural intellect and French cultural resilience. Construction on the cathedral started in the 12th century and continued for roughly another 300 years. Since then, the cathedral has stood as a beacon of light and freedom throughout the ages. It survived the French Revolution, and it stood strong through two world wars.

The storied spire is one of the most notable points in Paris’ skyline and the pinnacle for any Seine river tour.

Having the luxury to visit the Notre Dame and stand outside the cathedral last summer, I can speak to the structure’s massive size and timeless appeal — how it enchants the Cathedral-goer with a single gaze towards the two grandiose belfries and colossal stain glass windows of its western façade. (Both are parts of the building which still remain.)

The building has tones of Naturalism blended with elements of Romanesque styles. However, it is most known as a paragon of the Gothic movement.

“Like all of my fellow citizens, I am sad to see this part of us burn tonight,” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted.

Still, the sense of French strength, resilience was felt as thousands of Parisians took to the streets singing in solidarity. In America, we saw those moments through countless social media accounts and news reports.

As a teenager, the cathedral was one of the few buildings to truly bring travel guides to life. The cathedral helped me develop a sense of exploration — a desire to experience awe-inspiring edifices of the old world. In fact, it helped me muster the courage to travel abroad for my first time at age 18. Back then, I would travel to the Notre Dame in Montreal, a smaller version of its cousin in Paris. It shares the same Gothic charm.

While I was not fortunate enough to visit the Notre Dame until 2018, it inspired trips for me to many of Europe’s great cathedrals before, including the Kölner Dom “Cologne Cathedral” in Germany and Stephansdom “St. Stephen’s Cathedral” in Vienna, Austria. Both draw upon elements of the same Gothic movement, which the Notre Dame de Paris is best known for.

The Notre Dame, meaning “our lady,” is not only a shrine to French cultural achievement but represents a global symbol of Western ingenuity and Christianity. Following this week’s fire, one can’t help but think of Victor Hugo’s inspiring tale, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” or “Notre Dame de Paris” in French.

“Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of centuries,” Hugo wrote. “The man, the artist, the individual, is effaced in these great masses, which lack the name of their author; human intelligence is there summed up and totalized.”

All in Salisbury and Rowan County send our thoughts and prayers to Catholics, Parisians and the French as they embark on rebuilding this valued cathedral.

And I send words of solidarity through the writing of Hugo: “Time is the architect, the nation is the builder.”

Samuel Motley is a newsroom intern for the Salisbury Post. Email him at intern@salisburypost.com.