Melbourne is a long way from Paris, but locals can experience the wonders of the newly reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral at a captivating exhibition at the Immigration Museum.
Visitors navigate the 850-year history of Notre-Dame de Paris via ‘histopad’, a hand-held, augmented-reality touchscreen tablet that transports them to key moments in the cathedral’s past and present.
The Immigration Museum’s general manager, Rohini Kappadath, describes it as more than just a display. It’s a story of resilience, faith and the enduring human spirit, she says.
The medieval cathedral was devastated in April 2019 when fire broke out in the roof space, possibly caused by a cigarette or an electrical short circuit.
In an era of uncertainty, the Notre-Dame’s renewal stands as a beacon of what is possible when humanity comes together with shared purpose.
The iconic lead-covered wooden spire was destroyed, as was most of the roof, but through a mighty firefighting effort, the cathedral’s towers, its famed rose windows and its collection of artworks and relics were saved—among those, the crown of thorns said to have been placed on Jesus during his crucifixion.
The exhibition’s emotional core lies in the narrative of Notre-Dame’s restoration, a symbol of hope that has resonated throughout the world.
‘It’s much more than just a project,’ Ms Kappadath says. ‘It’s a reminder that even in loss, we can rebuild with faith and determination.
‘In an era of uncertainty, the Notre-Dame’s renewal stands as a beacon of what is possible when humanity comes together with shared purpose.’
The heroics of the hundreds of firefighters who saved the cathedral and the extraordinary efforts to rebuild the UNESCO world heritage landmark take up about a third of the exhibition.
The visitor has intimate access to the meticulous restoration, including the efforts taken to remove the stained-glass windows and protect the artefacts until they could be safely returned on Notre-Dame’s reopening late last year.
The details of craftsmanship and artistry extend back to the cathedral’s beginnings, and visitors are taken back to Notre-Dame’s inception in the 12th century.
The histopad provides 3D impressions of the work the woodcutters, stonemasons and builders undertook to create what was considered the finest example of French Gothic architecture at the time.
The exhibition highlights the joys and tribulations experienced in the cathedral through the centuries—key occasions like royal weddings and the coronation of Napoleon, but also its desecration during the French Revolution.
The visitor is placed at the centre of the cathedral’s major events and offered a 360-degree view of its interior.
Another key moment highlighted in the exhibition is a 19th-century restoration inspired by the publication of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
The gargoyles and chimeras so emblematic of the cathedral were made in this era, and the spire that had been removed decades earlier was rebuilt.
A life-sized replica of the most famous chimera, The Vampire, sits smirking in the midst of the exhibit, its shadow cast on the wall.
The visitor is placed at the centre of the cathedral’s major events and offered a 360-degree view of its interior.
Rohini Kappadath says visitors are spending an average of two hours immersed in the story of Notre-Dame de Paris.
‘Once it’s explained, we find that the technology has been quite well received by all ages,’ she says.
‘They appreciate the chance to engage with the story in such an interactive and accessible way.’
The Immigration Museum’s Long Room caught the eye of the creators of the exhibition, Histovery, a small French company specialising in immersive cultural experiences.
Ms Kappadath says Histovery seeks out heritage sites in which to hold exhibitions, and she’s proud the Long Room—which she calls one of the most extraordinary spaces in Melbourne—was chosen.
The exhibition stirs a profound sense of wonder on walking into the space.
The sound of tolling bells, the replica flooring and the projection of the iconic rose windows that survived the fire create a transporting atmosphere.
It’s a moment to go within yourself and reflect on what this cathedral means to your own faith.
Ms Kappadath recalls visitors remarking on feeling ‘happy, hopeful and overwhelmed’ as they walk through Notre-Dame’s history.
The museum’s general manager was educated by Loreto nuns in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and says her visits to the exhibition have transported her back through her personal history, too.
‘It’s a moment to go within yourself and reflect on what this cathedral means to your own faith,’ she says, adding that the collective effort to restore the cathedral revitalises a ‘burgeoning faith in humanity’.
Take a walk through the spectacular history of Notre-Dame Cathedral in an immersive exhibition at Melbourne’s Immigratoin Museum until the end of April.
