Notre-Dame and Zagreb Cathedral restoration projects foster expert exchange

The restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris and the Zagreb Cathedral represent two of the most complex projects for protecting national cultural heritage currently underway in the European Union. These efforts are linked through an international professional exchange program launched in June 2025, focusing on risk management and the ‘Build Back Better’ strategy to enhance historical structures while preserving their monumental qualities.

In Paris, the restoration of Notre-Dame has faced significant technical challenges, including the removal of unstable, fire-damaged scaffolding and the precise extraction of 30,000 metal pipes weighing 300 tons. Croatian earthquake engineering experts have participated in study visits to the Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris institution to exchange knowledge on managing such large-scale heritage sites.

Meanwhile, work continues on the Zagreb Cathedral following damage from the 2020 earthquakes. Having achieved structural stability, restorers are now focused on painting the vaults of the north aisle. This process involves using authentic materials, such as real gold for star motifs, to replicate historical designs. The project aims to return the cathedral to its original state while ensuring it can withstand future seismic activity.