Churches and States (Updated)

A striking parallel exists between the contemporary outcry following the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame de Paris and the lesser-known reconstruction debate of San Paolo fuori le Mura after its 1823 destruction. The essay draws on this comparison to illuminate current discussions around heritage preservation, political agency, and the intersection of religious and secular authority. By analyzing archival records, historical accounts, and contemporary discourse, it reveals how both events reflect broader tensions between state intervention, public memory, and the symbolic weight of architectural heritage. This approach offers a nuanced lens for understanding the complexities of preserving sites with dual cultural and spiritual significance.

Wittman. (2020). Churches and States (Updated). Future Anterior: Journal of Historic Preservation, History, Theory, and Criticism, 17(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.5749/futuante.17.1.0019