Notre Dame

Notre Dame, meaning "Our Lady," is a gothic cathedral on the Ile de la Cite in Paris France. Construction began on Notre Dame in 1160 and was completed nearly 200 years later in 1345.

Notre Dame is notorious for its huge organ: 7,800 pipes, 111 stops, 5 56-key manuals and a 32-key pedalboard.

The bells of Notre Dame are also well known icons. Emmanuel is the biggest weighing 13 tons.

This cathedral is also home to hordes of gargoyles used as piping as well as to ward off bad spirits.

In many people's opinions the most stunning part of Notre Dame is it's stained glass windows.

All in all, Notre Dame has a fascinatingly beautiful architecture like no other.

Interesting Facts:

• Notre Dame attracts 13 million tourists a year, more than even the Eiffel Tower
• Napoleon asked the Pope to coronate him at Notre Dame. At the last moment however, Napoleon crowned himself.
• Notre Dame hosts 2000 celebrations annually
• The land around and under Notre Dame was once home to a Celtic worship ground, then a Roman temple to Jupiter before it became a Catholic Church.