Notre Dame de Paris’ construction began in the 12^th century during the city’s first Bishop, Maurice de Sully, known to be the integral in the Cathedral’s lofty design to replace for the former Saint Stephen’s. Building the Cathedral took three centuries, along with the foundation stone historically placed by Pope Alexander III in 1163.

The style was based on French Gothic architecture. The absolute and complex designs have driven Notre Dame to be considered one of the world’s finest examples of French Gothic architecture today.

The Cathedral was also considered one of the first buildings in the world where flying buttresses were employed as structural support. According to legend, Bishop Maurice de Sully had foreseen a marvelous new Cathedral for the Parisians, and he sketched it in the dirt outside of the original church. A lot of houses have been demolished and a new road was built to transport the materials for the cathedral to be completed.

The Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral has five bells. Bourdon bell which is located in the South Tower, weighing over 13 tons, and is tolled to mark the hours of the day and  for other occasions and events. There are other four additional bells on wheels located on the North Tower. These bells are tolled for festivities and services. They were rung by electronic motors; the bells also have external hammers for tune playing from a small clavier.