ECB and Banque de France to contribute to Notre-Dame repair fund

The European Central Bank and Banque de France have joined a rapidly growing list of supporters in pledging funds for the rebuilding of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, after a blaze destroyed substantial parts of the world-famous monument.

“We are heartened by the initiative to restore and rebuild this landmark. The ECB will make a financial contribution to the restoration,” the central bank said via Twitter.

A spokesperson for the ECB said the donations would come from a special fund used for charitable donations, which is funded by the speaking fees earned by officials. The spokesperson declined to comment on the size of the donation to Notre-Dame.

We are heartened by the initiative to restore and rebuild this landmark. The ECB will make a financial contribution to the restoration #NotreDameCathedralFire

— European Central Bank (@ecb) April 16, 2019

Contributions totalling as much as €600 million ($678 million) had already poured in by mid-afternoon on April 16, according to the BBC. Large portions of the funds were donated by wealthy French businesspeople, while French president Emmanuel Macron launched a national subscription to support repairs.

“We will rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral,” said Macron in a tweet. “All together. This is part of our French destiny.”

The Banque de France pledged to contribute to the national subscription. “We at the Bank of France have all been moved by the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris and touched by the testimonies of solidarity received from our colleagues from the ECB,” the central bank tweeted.

The blaze on April 15 destroyed the roof and spire of the cathedral, and threatened several valuable works of art, holy relics, an 18th century organ and three enormous stained-glass windows.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control before it claimed other parts of the structure, including the bell towers. Many artefacts appear to have been rescued by firefighters who entered the building while it was still ablaze.

Photos from inside the building after the flames died down show the three famous “rose” stained glass windows all survived, as well as the organ, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

The fire drew outpourings of emotion from across the world, with many noting the famous cathedral had survived both World Wars as well as bombardment by the Prussian Empire in the 1870s. The cathedral has occupied the site on Paris’s Île de la Cité since the 12th century.

“The ECB stands in solidarity with people in France and globally after fire-damaged Notre-Dame cathedral, a World Heritage site,” the central bank said. “European history and culture remind us of our shared values.”