Pledges toward the restoration efforts have already surpassed 700 million euros, or $790 million.
Many priceless items were saved from Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday after a massive fire tore through the structure. But the 12th century Parisian landmark itself has a long — and expensive — road ahead to full restoration.
Another half-hour and the blaze could have entirely collapsed the cathedral, French authorities told The Guardian. It left behinddamages the scale of which is still unknown. The restoration project could take years and likely millions more than the funds donated thus far — and is unlikely to unfold without controversy, experts say.
Pledges toward the restoration efforts surpassed 700 million euros, or $790 million, in the first few days. But the full extent and cost of the damages remains to be seen.
Investigators haven’t been able to enter the cathedral to assess what might have caused the fire. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has stated that it appears to have been an accident, and that it has no reason to believe it was arson.
The first fire alert was sounded at 6:20 p.m. local time on Monday evening. The inferno brought as many as 400 firefighters to the scene and it was nearly 15 hours before they were able to put out the flames.
Before restoration can begin, a team of architects, engineers and preservation specialists will likely go in and assess what is there, and what needs to be replaced — stone by stone — said Kevin Murphy, a professor of humanities at Vanderbilt University.
Structural engineers will have to assess the strength of the building and scaffolding will be set up on the inside and outside of the church to ensure that it is safe for experts to go in, according to Krupali Krusche, an associate dean at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture and expert on historical preservation.
