Notre Dame’s iconic golden dome is getting regilded

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The University of Notre Dame’s iconic golden dome, plus the 17-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary on top, is getting regilded.

Tony Polotto, senior director of construction at the university, says the dome makes the campus’s main building one of the most iconic in the country, if not the world. 

This is his second time working on such a project, which happens roughly every 20 years. 

“As soon as the paint of the tower and the gold starts wearing off, that exposes the metal panels below, and we certainly don’t want those to corrode or rust away,” Polotto said.   

The last time the dome was regilded was in 2005. This is the 12th time the structure is going through the process since it was installed in 1883. 

The golden dome is literally coated in gold. In fact, Polotto explained it will take 15 pounds to coat the structure. 

“The gold is 23 ¾ carrot pure gold, and it comes in leaf, so it’s like tissue paper, and they are able to stick it right to the glue and rub it in with cotton gloves, and that’s the finished surface,” he said.   

Intricate and extensive scaffolding surrounds the dome and the 17-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary. 

“Just to be standing next to the statue itself is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Polotto said. 

The 5-month long project started in May and is set to finish in October, according to the university.