Notre Dame’s other tragedies from the pensioner who left a letter on the altar before shooting himself to the ISIS fanatic who launched a hammer attack

THE WORLD watched in horror yesterday as a fire ripped through Notre Dame cathedral, gutting its interior and sending its iconic spire crashing to the ground.

But the blaze is not the only tragedy to have struck the 850-year-old building – which has seen shootings, terror plots and even suicides at the altar in its history.

With its Gothic architecture and priceless relics, the cathedral has become one of Paris's most renowned sights, drawing millions of visitors and pilgrims every year.

However, there is a dark side to its fame – it was hit by flying bullets in the Second World War, looted during the French Revolution, and even turned into an atheist temple.

On one occasion in 1793, a furious mob beheaded 28 historic stone kings.

Just two years ago, an ISIS fanatic had to be shot by police after he attacked an officer with a hammer outside the landmark, while allegedly shouting: "This is for Syria".

And in 2013, an elderly French historian shot himself in the head in front of horrified crowds inside the cathedral after placing a sealed letter on the altar.

And while the cathedral itself has been the target of violence, it homes a number of relics that have a brutal history – including what is said to be Jesus's Crown Of Thorns.

As yesterday's blaze took hold, a hero priest risked his life by running into the flames to rescue the crown, which was purportedly worn by Jesus during his crucifixion.

Father Jean-Marc Fournier also saved the Blessed Sacrament, as emergency crews formed a 'human chain' to pull other valuable relics from the burning structure.

The blaze broke out shortly before 7pm local time (6pm UK time), with French President Emmanuel Macron later vowing to rebuild the flame-ravaged cathedral.

Below, we look at the other tragedies the landmark has witnessed – and overcome.

ISIS-inspired hammer attack and foiled terror plots

In June 2017, a hammer-wielding Algerian student who consumed ISIS propaganda online attacked a police officer outside the cathedral, sparking a lockdown.

Farid Ikken, described as a self-radicalised loner with an Islamic State manual stashed at his home, allegedly yelled "This is for Syria" as he carried out the attack.

He was shot and wounded by another officer, while his victim suffered minor injuries.

Ikken, who was treated in hospital, was arrested and later charged with the attempted murder of law enforcement officials and association with terrorists.

Hundreds of people were locked inside the cathedral as the hammer attack unfolded.

The same year, four people were arrested in the southern city of Montpellier accused of plotting an imminent terror attack on Notre Dame cathedral.

The suspects – including a 16-year-old girl who had reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS – were said to have planned to travel to Paris and carry out an attack.

"The four suspects were arrested after they bought acetone," a police source told AFP at the time, referring to a liquid previously found in terrorists' 'Mother of Satan' bombs.

"It seems that they intended to go through with it and to make several explosive devices."

French police fortunately foiled the alleged plot.

The year before, in September 2016, a car packed with explosives had been found near the cathedral.

Three 'radicalised' women were arrested after the vehicle, laden with diesel and gas canisters, was discovered abandoned near the cathedral.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said at the time the suspects were likely planning an imminent attack on the French capital.

Historian shoots himself dead in front of worshippers

In May 2013, far-right French historian Dominique Venner, 78, killed himself inside the cathedral after leaving a sealed letter on the altar.

Venner pulled out a gun and shot himself through the mouth in front of hundreds of people, sparking an evacuation of the building.

His public suicide was apparently in protest against the country's legalisation of gay marriage, which had recently taken place.

Hours before the shooting, Venner, also a journalist, had posted an essay on his blog, criticising the same-sex marriage bill.

He had written that "new, spectacular and symbolic actions" are needed "to shake us out of our sleep" and to "jolt anaesthetised minds".

He also warned the population of France and Europe was going to be brought under "Islamist control" and "Sharia law", the Independent reported.

Police didn't disclose the contents of the letter left on the altar.

Cathedral hit by bullets during WWII

Work on the cathedral started in 1163 – and involved around 1,000 labourers. It took nearly 200 years to complete the structure on the island of Île de la Cité in the Seine.

But when World War Two broke out in 1939, the building was at risk of being bombed.

Worried locals removed the cathedral's precious stained glass windows and hid them during the war, fearing they could be destroyed by German bombs.

Although the cathedral was hit by flying bullets, it survived the war largely unscathed.

Cathedral's organist dies… at the organ

In 1937, talented French organist Louis Vierne died… at the cathedral's organ.

Composer Vierne, who had beaten tough competition to be named Notre Dame's organist, passed away during his 1750th public performance.

He took his final breath at the organ itself – something that was reportedly his lifelong wish.

Vierne, who was born in 1870 with severe cataracts,  had become renowned across the world for his improvisation and talent.

Although his organ was replaced in later years, it is thought to have remained on display at the cathedral. It is unclear whether it was affected by last night's fire.

Mum's suicide after love affair

Venner's suicide tragically wasn't the first inside the cathedral.

Mexican mum Antonieta Rivas Mercado shot herself at the cathedral's altar after being rejected by her married lover, politician José Vasconcelos.

She died aged 30 after firing a bullet through her heart in February, 1931.

Mercado, who was a writer, is said to have spiralled into depression after going through a long custody battle for her son.

Looting and damage by revolutionaries

Before yesterday's tragedy, the last time the cathedral had suffered major damage was during the French Revolution.

It once wielded huge power in the country – but towards the end of the 1700s, revolutionaries launched a dechristianisation campaign.

Many were determined to reclaim the land, power and money held by the Catholic Church and to turn people towards Enlightenment and away from God.

During the Revolution, the cathedral was looted and badly damaged by furious mobs, before eventually being shut down as a religious building.

It was instead declared an atheist temple and renamed the 'Temple of Reason'.

In 1793, Paris revolutionaries even guillotined 28 statues, believing they represented the country's kings – when, in fact, they represented Biblical monarchs.

They carried out the stone beheadings in the square in front of the cathedral.

The same year, a special ritual was held for the so-called 'Feast of Reason'.

Although the damaged cathedral fell into neglect during the Revolution, it was restored to the Catholic Church in 1802 and drew renewed attention after the 1831 publication of Victor Hugo's novel, 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'.

It subsequently underwent two decades of restorations.

And now, nearly two centuries on, it is facing more work to get it back to its former glory after last night's blaze. As it's repeatedly done before, we're sure it'll battle through.

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