Golden Hour: Regilding the Dome

Photo Essay

Gleaming Gold: The Unveiling

A view looking up at the dome with sun rays shining through the silhouette of Mary.

Shine Bright

The sculpture of Our Lady is the work of artist Giovanni Meli. It depicts Mary on a half globe with a crescent moon and a serpent under her feet, as described in the book of Revelation.

The Big Reveal

The scaffolding constructed for the regild was brought down in two stages over the course of five weeks.

From Start to Finish

The entire regilding project took just under five months, with tower repairs and painting taking the longest amount of time.

Tall Tale

The scaffolding constructed for the regild measured 197 feet from the ground to the top of the structure.

Preserving Our Lady

Combining the surface area of the Dome and Mary, approximately 7,000 square feet was regilded.

Primed for Success

The primer, or glue, that holds the gold in place takes 24 hours to set before gold can be applied.

Teamwork

Fewer than two dozen people were involved in the regilding process, including preparations, repairs, painting, and application of the gold itself.

How Things Have Changed

Generations ago, regilders climbed out small access hatches at the base of the statue of Our Lady and used ropes to anchor themselves while they worked.

Protecting the Dome

Each gilding lasts 15 to 20 years and is assessed on a yearly basis.

The Gold Standard

If in a controlled environment, gold lasts forever; only the elements cause it to show wear.

Before and After

Grab and slide the arrows to view the stunning transformation.

The pitted and weathered golden surface of the Dome.

A newly regilded golden surface of the dome, free of blemishes and flaws.

Pitted and weathered dome surface and facia of the main building of the Dome showing paint missing and bare spots.

The flawless newly painted building and regilded golden dome surface.

An aerial view of the Dome from directly above showing weathered gold and missing paint.

An aerial view of the Dome from directly above showing shining gold and newly painted building.

With the Sorin statue in the foreground, a clear view of the weathered dome can be seen over Fr. Sorin's shoulder.

With the Sorin statue in the foreground, a clear view of the newly regilded dome can be seen over Fr. Sorin's shoulder.

A close up view of a newly gilded Mary's face.

A Woman Clothed with the Sun

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Workers applying gold leaf to the base of the statue of Mary atop the Dome.

Part Art, Part Endurance Sport

The artisans behind the regilding of the Golden Dome

Rolls of thin gold leaf being applied to the surface of the dome with a roller.

Staying Gold

Gilding is a trade that demands patience, focus, and stamina. The Conrad Schmitt team works to gild Mary and the Dome bringing a fresh shine and optimism to this integral piece of the Notre Dame story.

As Good as Gold

For many on campus, witnessing this process for the first time is a truly memorable experience. And for Tony Polotto, the senior director of construction, the sentiment is no different.

The Heart of Notre Dame

If the Basilica of the Sacred Heart represents the soul of Notre Dame, then surely the Main Building and its ubiquitous symbol of the Golden Dome is the beating heart of the campus, pumping vigor and purpose to the interlaced arteries of an academic and residential community.

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Raised High on a Dome

Before what is arguably the world’s most recognized college landmark—the University of Notre Dame’s iconic Golden Dome atop its Main Building—could be regilded this summer and fall for the 12th time, it first had to be gilded.