The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, where a large fire broke out on Monday evening, is among the most famous landmarks in Paris, drawing about 13 million visitors a year.

The cathedral, whose name means Our Lady, is the seat of the archbishop of Paris. Here’s a short history.

[Read the latest on the cathedral here, and how the fire spread.]

When was Notre-Dame built?

The cathedral was built on a small island called the Île de la Cité, in the middle of the Seine. Construction began in 1163, during the reign of King Louis VII, and was completed in 1345. It is considered a jewel of medieval Gothic architecture.