Experts believe that the five years set for the renovation are not feasible. Partly because there are not enough stonemasons. On the status quo of the restoration plans and German offers of help. Just a few hours after Notre-Dame burned, it was clear that the reconstruction would not fail because of money. Although this is a controversial issue, it is a fact – even today […]

Experts believe that the five years set for the renovation are not feasible. Partly because there are not enough stonemasons. On the status quo of the restoration plans and German offers of help.

Just a few hours after Notre-Dame burned, it was clear that the reconstruction would not fail because of money. Although this is controversial, it is a fact – to date, donors have given around 900 million euros for the renovation of the Paris cathedral. What is more questionable is how the destroyed parts are to be rebuilt: According to historical models or modern designs? A steel roof truss instead of wood from over a thousand oak trees? In France, the damage is currently being assessed and the government has launched an architectural competition. French President Emmanuel Macron has also set a deadline that experts believe is unachievable: He wants the renovation of Notre Dame to be completed in 2024.

Wolfgang Zehetner, Chairman of the Association of European Cathedral Builders, says in an interview with Deutsche Welle that this would be difficult, especially in terms of the necessary skilled workers. There are very few stonemasons with experience in historical building techniques left in Europe.

After all, stonemasons and sculptors are already a rare species in general. But for the work on Notre-Dame, specialists are also needed who have completed their training at a cathedral building lodge if possible. These building lodges are like “the last Gallic villages”. The craftsmanship on today’s building sites simply looks completely different – industrial.

The Federal Association of German Stonemasons wants to collect and coordinate the offers of help and ideas from German stonemasons. So far, more than ten companies and individuals have come forward with concrete offers or ideas. In addition, stonemasons and sculptors are currently collecting offers of support in a Facebook group, which they want to pass on to the BIV.

Pieces could either be produced in companies and training centers and delivered centrally to Paris. It would also be possible for stonemasons and apprentices to help on site in Paris.BIV spokesperson Sybille Trawinski says that the offers of help also offer the opportunity to showcase the high level of expertise and specialist knowledge of stonemasons in the preservation of historical monuments and to contribute at an international level. And to make a contribution to the European community and cultural preservation. “Last but not least, it is also about Franco-German friendship and the common spirit of a trade, even across national borders,” says Trawinski.

BIV coordinates offers of help from companies and individuals

Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters has commissioned Barbara Schock-Werner, monument conservator and former master builder of the cathedral, to take care of German offers of help for the cathedral. The BIV is in contact with her. But it’s about more than just stonemasonry – it’s also about German oak wood and data, for example. The Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Monument Studies and Art History at the University of Bamberg examined the transept, which suffered particularly badly from the fire, in detail from 2015 to 2018 as part of a project on Gothic church portals and measured it using 3D scanning techniques.

The scientists also argue that Notre-Dame should be renovated carefully rather than hastily. Art historian Stephan Albrecht says in an Arte interview that he believes a ten-year restoration period makes sense. Otherwise, he fears for the historical substance. After all, it originally took around 200 years to build one of Europe’s most important cultural monuments.

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