- Construction of the Butter Tower 1508 - Restoration of west front begins, with addition of lavish late Gothic decoration 1514 - Gothic spire called "La Grêle" on the bell tower burns and is quickly rebuilt in same style 1562 -Cathedral pillaged by Protestants in the European wars of religion 1683 -A hurricane causes major damage to the cathedral 1796 -French Revolution briefly turns Cathedral into a "Temple of Reason" 1822 - A fire destroys the fragile Renaissance spire 1884 - The spire is replaced by a new version made of cast iron and copper April and June 1944 - Cathedral damaged by Allied aerial bombing in advance of Normandy Landings 1980s - Completion of restoration of World War II damage December 26, 1999 - High winds cause a copper and wood turret to fall through the vaults of the choir Exterior West front The west front of the Cathedral, with its three portals, is the traditional entrance to the Cathedral. The portals are aligned with the three aisles of the nave. The west front was first built in the 12th century, entirely redone in the 13th century, and then totally redone again at the end of the 14th century, each time become more lavishly decorated. The main, or central portal, was originally dedicated to St. Romain in the 12th century, but was rededicated to the Virgin Mary when the facade was remade on a grander scale at the beginning of the 14th century. The central sculptural element of the tympanum, or arch over the portal, is a Tree of Jesse, a traditional depiction of the family tree of Christ. At the top is the Virgin Mary, with a halo of sun and stars. The arches above the tympanum of the portal are filled with sculpture of prophets, sibyls, or fortune-tellers, and patriarchs. The portals on either side of the central portal followed the same format, with sculpture in the tympanum vividly illustrating Biblical stories. The portal to the of the central portal, facing the building, is dedicated to John the Evangelist, and the sculpture in the tympanum above illustrates the baptism of Christ, the passage of Saint John; the dance of Salome; the feast of Herod; and the beheading of John the Baptist. The portal to the right is devoted to Saint Stephen, and its sculpture illustrates the gathering of souls, Christ in majesty, and the stoning of Stephen.