6 facts you may not know about the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral

A fire swept across the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday in Paris, forcing its spire to collapse and threatening to destroy one of the world's greatest architectural and cultural treasures.

Notre Dame—a survivor of wars and revolutions—has stood for centuries as one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals and a towering jewel of Western architecture. But the Cathedral, which was under recent renovations, has now been partially destroyed.

Many Parisians and observers alike are mourning the damage, and calling it a loss to global culture and civilization. 

Last minutes of the tower of #NotreDame 💔😢 pic.twitter.com/NoCzD2tULn

— Süleyman Ahmad (@SuleymanAhmad) April 16, 2019

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild the city’s iconic landmark.  French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault said Monday that he and his family will donate 100 million euros to help reconstruct it as well.

Here’re some of the most interesting facts about the renowned Cathedral:

1) The church is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre Dame is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages.

2) Situated on the Ile de la Cite, an island in the Seine River, its architecture is famous for its many gargoyles and its iconic flying buttresses. Some 13 million people visit it every year.

3) Construction on Notre Dame — French for "Our Lady" — began in the 12th century and continued for nearly 200 years.

4) It sustained damage and fell into neglect during the French Revolution, but received renewed attention following the 1831 publication of Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame."

5) While most kings were crowned elsewhere, Napoleon Bonaparte made sure he was crowned there in 1804, and married there in 1810.

6) Among the most celebrated artworks inside are its three stained-glass rose windows. Its priceless treasures also include a Catholic relic, the crown of thorns, which is only occasionally displayed.