There are many sites around the globe that tend to be taken for granted, sites that are full of beauty and history. Some of these historic structures have been in existence for centuries and hold much heritage and history.  These monuments are what create the “spirit” of the cities they are located in. The “spirit” of any city is reflected through its architecture, and historical buildings help us understand the history that occurred before any of us even existed.  

The uniqueness and creativity in the design of historic monuments create a patriotic and reassuring sensation.  With this, tourists and even citizens are able to enjoy and witness the history of the area. Architecture is one way that citizens are able to interact with the generations before them.  It’s a necessity for cities to have historic structures for a sense of permanency to the town. They reflect the changes and development that have occured within the city over time, and bring character to the neighborhood in which the people live.

The Taj Mahal, India Gate, Lincoln Memorial, the Eiffel tower, Big Ben, Washington monument, Mount Rushmore, the Parthenon, Trajan’s Column, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and countless more are all examples of these historical structures that remind us of the location’s culture.

As most know, on April 15, 2019, a large fire occurred in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, destroying a portion of the 850 year old church.  During the blaze, the spiral, which had been absorbed with flames, collapsed while firefighters were working to lessen the fire. Firefighters are still unsure as to how the fire started.

The University of Notre Dame has donated $100,000 toward the cathedral for renovations.  “We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years,” says French president, Emmanuel Macron. “The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends and that we will always have challenges to overcome.”  As you see, historic structures have much support and are very significant to many people and represent remembering the past and preparing for a strong future.