The scaffolding will be removed from the facade of Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
After nearly a decade hidden behind scaffolding, the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal is set to unveil its restored facade on October 25. Michel Issa, executive director of the Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal, revealed that approximately 20% of the necessary exterior work has been completed. The total restoration cost is estimated at $100 million, funded through benefit concerts, revenue from the coffee shop Le Firmament, and fundraisers.
To conserve the stones, donors can sponsor a stone and inscribe a digital message on the facade using augmented reality. The basilica's restoration includes reinforcing and restoring the entire structure due to years of freezing and thawing, causing cracks in the masonry. The stones used for the basilica were salvaged from a lower-quality part of the quarry and sometimes placed "the wrong way," contributing to the current issues.
The interior restoration may take five to ten years, with water infiltration and moisture problems affecting the painted decorations, which are being painstakingly reattached.
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