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.

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral April 15, 2019 in Paris, France.

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.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

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.

Coronation of Napoleon I, 2 December 1804. Arrival of the Emperor and the Empress Josephine at Notre Dame, Paris. Engraving.

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.

‘Notre-Dame de Paris from the Ile Saint-Louis’, 1819. Artist: Amelia Long

Amelia Long/Print Collector/Getty Images

“Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.”

FRANCE - CIRCA 1850: Paris. Apse of Notre-Dame, before the reconstruction of the spire. B.N.F., 1850.

ND/Roger Viollet/Getty Images

Book of the coronation by Percier and Fontaine: The Emperor arriving at Notre-Dame

Pierre-Jean Chalencon/Photo12/UIG via Getty Images

The cleaning of the pipes of the organ of Notre-Dame, Paris, France, illustration from L’Illustration, No 2672, May 12, 1894

De Agostini via Getty Images

Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, postcard, 1909

Apic/Getty Images

France, Paris: Painters at the river Seine and cathedral Notre Dame, 1929

ullstein bild via Getty Images

Clearing of sandbag protection from the facade of Notre Dame, German-occupied Paris, 1940.

Print Collector/Getty Images

Notre Dame, Paris, France, 1961

Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. The holy crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during the Passion.

Getty Images

Tourists on the roof of Notre Dame, Paris, 1968

Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Le parvis de la Cathédrale Notre-Dame circa 1980 sur l’île de la Cité à Paris, France

François LOCHON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

FRANCE - CIRCA 1989: Paris, France in 1989 - Gargoyle on the Notre Dame Cathedral under a net.

Francois LE DIASCORN/Getty Images

Notre-Dame Cathedral in the spring. Paris,France

Ayhan Altun/Getty Images

Notre Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, France

Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

A religious statue is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work on April 11, 2019 in Paris, France.

Chesnot/Getty Images

Notre Dame in late summer

Dennis Hallinan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images