The Golden Dome The main building of the University of Notre Dame
The Golden Dome, or now the Main Building of the University of Notre Dame, narrates the past and the present of Notre Dame. With the statue of the Virgin Mary on its top, it defines the Catholic character of the school. In 2005, the dome is gilded in 23 karat gold.
The Main Building was finished in 1882. It is said that the yellow bricks of the building were all dredged from the two lakes on campus, St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s. In the past, the building was where students attended classes and resided. It had over 22 classrooms and a library. Now it’s mainly used for administration.
the columbus murals
By passing through the main entrance, visitors see 12 historic Christopher Columbus murals, which are painted by the Italian artist and Notre Dame professor Luigi Gregori in 1880s.
Gregori used Father Thomas Walsh, who was president of Notre Dame at the time, as his model to paint the face of Columbus.
The Ceiling of the rotunda
Gregori also painted the ceiling of the rotunda. The figures on the rotunda represent Religion, Philosophy, Science, History, Fame, Poetry and Music. It is said that in order to paint well on such curved surface, Gregori practiced by painting on the inside of bowls that were borrowed from the university’s kitchen.
THE ROSARY CROWN
The Rosary Crown is on display at the end of the hallway. This crown is made of 150 crystal beads and 15 plates depicting the stories of the rosary. It was originally planned to be placed on the statue atop the dome, but it ended up on the head of another Virgin Mary inside Sacred Heart Church. It was stolen once, but recovered afterwards.
Walking down the stairs to the lower floor, visitors will see the walls of Honor and of the Notre Dame Award.
The Laetare "Rejoice" Medal
On the center of the lower floor, notebooks record the names of all the people who have received the Laetare Medal, the university’s highest honor and the most prestigious award given to American Catholics.
Visitors end their tour walking out of the backdoor of the Main Building. Students say they don’t descend the front steps of the Golden Dome before graduation, otherwise they will never graduate.