The Glorious Façade
A total of over 2,000 sculptures and pinnacles adorn the exterior walls of the cathedral. The pinnacles, which derive from the Italian term foglia>, which means something like leaf or needle, are slender, pointed turrets carved from stone. They are particularly well known from Gothic architecture. Among the many statues is a representation of Napoleon, dedicated to him in gratitude for the completion of the church. One of the other statues is considered the inspiration for the Statue of Liberty in America. However, it carries a cross in its hand instead of a book, in addition to a crown and a torch..