A catastrophic fire engulfed the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019, just days before Easter.

The fire spread rapidly and took over large parts of the cathedral as disbelieving onlookers scrambled to get a view of the unfolding disaster.

Reconstruction of the famous cathedral began last year but efforts to rebuild were suspended on March 16, when France introduced widespread measures to help control the spread of Covid-19.

Notre Dame was completed in the 13th century and is considered a feat of architecture as much as a religious symbol.

French Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin, head of Notre Dame Cathedral's reconstruction, speaks to journalists in Paris on April 14. Work at the Paris site has been suspended since March 16, when France introduced widespread measures to help control the spread of Covid-19.
French Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin, head of Notre Dame Cathedral's reconstruction, speaks to journalists in Paris on April 14. Work at the Paris site has been suspended since March 16, when France introduced widespread measures to help control the spread of Covid-19.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Notre Dame and the Pont de la Tournelle bridge are reflected in the Seine river on Easter Sunday, April 12.
Notre Dame and the Pont de la Tournelle bridge are reflected in the Seine river on Easter Sunday, April 12.
Ian Langsdon/EPE-EFE/Shutterstock
Notre Dame cathedral rector Patrick Chauvet repositions the Crown of Thorns, a relic of the passion of Christ, after a meditation ceremony to celebrate Good Friday in a secured part of Notre Dame on April 10.
Notre Dame cathedral rector Patrick Chauvet repositions the Crown of Thorns, a relic of the passion of Christ, after a meditation ceremony to celebrate Good Friday in a secured part of Notre Dame on April 10.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Professional mountain climbers work on a part of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration on January 29.
Professional mountain climbers work on a part of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration on January 29.
Chesnot/Getty Images
Notre Dame Cathedral is seen undergoing renovations on January 6.
Notre Dame Cathedral is seen undergoing renovations on January 6.
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
A carpet from Notre Dame cathedral undergoes restoration at 'the Mobilier National' headquarters in Paris on September 12, 2019.
A carpet from Notre Dame cathedral undergoes restoration at 'the Mobilier National' headquarters in Paris on September 12, 2019.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
A protective net is seen installed at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral during preliminary work on May 15, 2019, one month after the fire.
A protective net is seen installed at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral during preliminary work on May 15, 2019, one month after the fire.
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Flowers are laid on a bridge in front of Notre Dame on April 17, 2019.
Flowers are laid on a bridge in front of Notre Dame on April 17, 2019.
Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images
Debris from the roof lies near the altar inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 16, 2019, the day after the devastating fire.
Debris from the roof lies near the altar inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 16, 2019, the day after the devastating fire.
Christophe Morin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Daylight shines through the fallen roof of Notre Dame on April 16, 2019.
Daylight shines through the fallen roof of Notre Dame on April 16, 2019.
Christophe Morin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The interior of Notre Dame is seen in this photo taken April 16, 2019.
The interior of Notre Dame is seen in this photo taken April 16, 2019.
AFP/Getty Images
A man inspects damage near charred windows.
A man inspects damage near charred windows.
Francois Mori/AP
Firefighters exit Notre Dame Cathedral on April 16, 2019.
Firefighters exit Notre Dame Cathedral on April 16, 2019.
Yves Herman/Reuters
The burnt out cathedral is seen from the top of the Montparnasse tower the day after the fire.
The burnt out cathedral is seen from the top of the Montparnasse tower the day after the fire.
Thibault Camus/AP
A woman reacts near Notre Dame the morning after the devastating fire.
A woman reacts near Notre Dame the morning after the devastating fire.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
A crane lifts experts as they inspect the damage.
A crane lifts experts as they inspect the damage.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
People take photos at the scene on April 16, 2019.
People take photos at the scene on April 16, 2019.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
People stop to view Notre Dame Cathedral on the morning following the fire.
People stop to view Notre Dame Cathedral on the morning following the fire.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
Fire crews continue to secure the cathedral on April 16, 2019.
Fire crews continue to secure the cathedral on April 16, 2019.
Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the fire department inspect the cathedral.
Members of the fire department inspect the cathedral.
Christophe Ena/AP
Notre Dame is seen at sunrise as firefighters continue to work at the cathedral on the morning of April 16.
Notre Dame is seen at sunrise as firefighters continue to work at the cathedral on the morning of April 16.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
A handout image photographed on a television screen shows an aerial view of Notre Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames on Monday, April 15, 2019.
A handout image photographed on a television screen shows an aerial view of Notre Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames on Monday, April 15, 2019.
AFP/Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte at the scene of the fire on Monday evening.
French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte at the scene of the fire on Monday evening.
Philippe Wojazer/AP
Smoke rises in front of the altar cross inside Notre Dame Cathedral.
Smoke rises in front of the altar cross inside Notre Dame Cathedral.
Philippe Wojazer/AFP/Getty Images
People pray as Notre Dame Cathedral burns on Monday evening.
People pray as Notre Dame Cathedral burns on Monday evening.
Christophe Ena/AP
A firefighter uses a hose to tackle the flames as the cathedral's roof burns.
A firefighter uses a hose to tackle the flames as the cathedral's roof burns.
Francois Mori/AP
Crowds gathered on the banks of the Seine watch the firefighters' progress.
Crowds gathered on the banks of the Seine watch the firefighters' progress.
JB Autissier/Panoramic/Reuters
Flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame as a firefighter rushes past.
Flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame as a firefighter rushes past.
Jacques Witt/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock
The fire continues to burn into the night.
The fire continues to burn into the night.
Thibault Camus/AP
The interior of the cathedral roof is seen smoldering.
The interior of the cathedral roof is seen smoldering.
Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Located on the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine, in central Paris, the cathedral is one of the city's most popular attractions, drawing an estimated 13 million visitors a year.
Located on the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine, in central Paris, the cathedral is one of the city's most popular attractions, drawing an estimated 13 million visitors a year.
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke and flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral on April 15, 2019.
Smoke and flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral on April 15, 2019.
Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
A woman reacts as she watches flames engulf the roof of the cathedral.
A woman reacts as she watches flames engulf the roof of the cathedral.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke billows from the cathedral's roof and spire during the fire.
Smoke billows from the cathedral's roof and spire during the fire.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Passers-by watch the cathedral burn. "It's tremendously sad to see this happening to such an iconic monument," bystander Cameron Mitchell <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fnotre-dame-fire%2Fh_f0e87d76f5c736f2e79dffdf7e363b01" target="_blank">told CNN.</a>
Passers-by watch the cathedral burn. "It's tremendously sad to see this happening to such an iconic monument," bystander Cameron Mitchell told CNN.
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Huge clouds of smoke rise into the evening sky as fire engulfs the cathedral.
Huge clouds of smoke rise into the evening sky as fire engulfs the cathedral.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Firefighters worried the cathedral's two bell towers would be destroyed.
Firefighters worried the cathedral's two bell towers would be destroyed.
JB Autissier/Panoramic/Reuters
The spire of the landmark cathedral collapses.
The spire of the landmark cathedral collapses.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
A man holds his head in shock as watches the fire take hold.
A man holds his head in shock as watches the fire take hold.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
The roof of the cathedral burns.
The roof of the cathedral burns.
Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
Horrified bystanders react to the fire.
Horrified bystanders react to the fire.
Nicolas Liponne/NurPhoto/Getty Images
A firefighter gets closer to the flames.
A firefighter gets closer to the flames.
Pierre Suu/Getty Images
Police urged everyone to avoid the area and emergency services directed people away from the scene.
Police urged everyone to avoid the area and emergency services directed people away from the scene.
Nicolas Liponne/NurPhoto/Getty Images
People gather on the banks of the Seine to watch the fire's progress.
People gather on the banks of the Seine to watch the fire's progress.
Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images
Flames roar across the roof of the cathedral.
Flames roar across the roof of the cathedral.
Philippe Wang/Getty Images