Notre-Dame Cathedral
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Transcript
Rouen Cathedral stands on a site of Christian worship with deep roots, but its present fabric grew through repeated medieval campaigns and later repairs.
The cathedral became a major symbol of Norman ecclesiastical power. It also holds the heart of Richard I of England — Richard the Lionheart — who was Duke of Normandy as well as king. His body was divided among different burial sites, a medieval political geography performed through anatomy.
Centuries later Claude Monet painted the façade repeatedly under changing light, making the building part of the history of modern art as well as Gothic architecture.
The cathedral suffered serious damage during the Second World War, including bombing in 1944, and was restored afterwards.
A monument can therefore be medieval, Victorianly repaired, Impressionist, bomb-damaged and reconstructed without becoming five different cathedrals.
Continuity is often a very busy maintenance department.