Crown of Thorns Reinstated at Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral

After five years of restoration, the cherished Crown of Thorns has been officially reinstated at Notre-Dame Cathedral following a devastating fire that had threatened its legacy.

An ancient symbol of faith, the Crown of Thorns, associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, has made its return to the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after being rescued from a fire that consumed the historic building. The ceremonial event was presided over by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, who welcomed the revered relic back to its original home. The impressive crown, a circle of rushes encased in a striking crystal and gold tube, was originally brought to France by King Louis IX in 1239 after being acquired in Constantinople for a staggering 135,000 livres – a sum that represented nearly half of the country's annual budget at that time.

Initially housed in the Sainte-Chapelle, the crown was relocated to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, where it remained until the catastrophic blaze. The fire not only ravaged the cathedral's wooden interiors and spire but also prompted firefighters and police to enact a dramatic human chain, ensuring the relic and other invaluable artifacts were saved. Following a stint at the Louvre Museum during the cathedral's extensive restoration, the crown has now found a new reliquary, standing in for the one lost in the fire.

The return ceremony featured a procession attended by dignitaries including members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, emphasizing its religious significance. Beginning 10 January, the Crown of Thorns will be publicly displayed, drawing in crowds eager to witness a piece of history. The relic, historically noted in biblical texts as an instrument of mockery inflicted upon Jesus by his captors, holds profound spiritual significance in Christian tradition.

Notre-Dame, which reopened its doors to the public on 8 December, underwent extensive restoration works costing approximately €700 million (£582 million). The project employed around 2,000 skilled workers, including masons, carpenters, and restorers, all striving to preserve the iconic structure for future generations. Celebrating the cathedral’s reopening, French President Emmanuel Macron reflected on the journey of restoration: “We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will,” reinforcing the cathedral's enduring cultural and spiritual legacy.