The golden dome is a symbol of Notre Dame University of South Bend, Indiana. The dome is adorned with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and sits atop the University’s main administration building. The administration building, along with the spires of the basilica of the Sacred Heart and the 14 story library, dominates the skyline of the 160 year old university.

All roads on campus lead to the dome, and it is the first site you see when exiting the Indiana toll road. The gold dome is Notre Dame University and Notre Dame football to much of the world. The uniform includes a simple gold helmet with no logo. Legend has it that the team managers repaint the helmets prior to each game with paint containing actual gold to ensure they glisten.

Like the football helmets, the dome of the administration building gets a new shine from time to time. The most recent reguilding of the dome was in 2005.

Another athletic reference to the gold dome was following the Heisman trophy win of Paul Hornung. He played on a football team with a 2-8 record. The unusual win of a player from a team with a losing record led to people citing a Notre Dame bias, and old-time Irish Fans refer to him as the “Golden Boy of the Golden Dome”.

A trip to the this 1,250 acre suburban campus near the Indiana-Michigan border will allow visitors to see the iconic golden dome and Gothic architectural buildings in a luxurious green setting, where the school’s Catholic identity is obvious.