The competition has begun. Architects are pitching their proposals for the redesign of Notre Dame – and some of the ideas fall rather short of the beauty of the original.
A French company, Studio NAB, has suggested a greenhouse roof. Others imagine a park or terrace. UMA, a Swedish firm, wants a cross-shaped swimming pool.
But the master mason Florian Renucci told the Guardian that the restoration “should respect the techniques of the era in which it was built”. He added: “If we do it right it will last another 1,000 years.”
The decision is up to the French government. The culture minister has promised that the project “will not be hasty”.
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The Vatican has had a football team for 48 years and, while it may not have won many trophies, it has become part of the Holy See’s engagement with the world.
Now a women’s team is being launched, made up of Vatican employees as well as wives and daughters. On May 26 they will play AS Roma, one of Italy’s top teams. “Even if they lose 30-0, it doesn’t matter,” said Danilo Zennaro, a Vatican sports co-ordinator.
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