Tourists and locals could only stand by as the cathedral’s spire went up in flames and later collapsed.
Other relics from Saint Genevieve and Saint Denis may also be destroyed.
Beyond housing important holy items, the cathedral has a deep and rich history.

Pierre Suu/Getty Images
Here’s what you should know about the Notre Dame cathedral.
Notre Dame cathedral is more than 850 years old.
The building was completed in 1345.

Artie Ng/Getty Images
The first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III.
This isnt the first time Notre Dame has been damaged.
As The Times added, the building fell into disrepair during the French Revolution.

Getty Images
Notre Dame hosted many major moments in history.
The cathedral also houses incredibly rare and important artifacts.
Other historically significant items include stained-glass windows, statues, gargoyles, and more.

Amelia Long/Print Collector/Getty Images
“Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.”

ND/Roger Viollet/Getty Images

Pierre-Jean Chalencon/Photo12/UIG via Getty Images

De Agostini via Getty Images

Apic/Getty Images

ullstein bild via Getty Images

Print Collector/Getty Images

Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Getty Images

Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

François LOCHON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Francois LE DIASCORN/Getty Images

Ayhan Altun/Getty Images

Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

Chesnot/Getty Images

Dennis Hallinan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images