pI’ve visited the University of Notre Dame campus multiple times, and it never ceases to amaze me.
If you enter through the main door at Angela Blvd. and Notre Dame Ave, you will cross a cemetery before arriving at the bookstore, where there is public parking. Here are some of the things you should do next. It’s a wonderful site to explore on foot, but on our most recent visit, we packed our bikes and rode around campus, which allowed us to see more in less time.
If you need a place to stay near campus, here is a selection of wonderful hotels.
THE SNITE ART MUSEUM
This is a fantastic museum that you should not miss. It is one of America’s top art museums, and admission is free. You’ll be right next to the famed Notre Dame Stadium, also known as The House That Rockne Built, which dates back over 90 years and seats about 80,000 people.
With approximately 30,000 works representing numerous countries and spanning centuries, the collection provides a spectacular panorama of world art history. The collection is housed on three levels of the museum and dates back to 1875. A collection of Rembrandt etchings, nineteenth-century photography, and Native American art are among the outstanding treasures.
A 1500 BCE figurine can be found in the Mesoamerican Art display on the first level. An Our Lady of Guadalupe piece from 1729 can be found in the Spanish Colonial Art collection. The Ashbaugh Decorative Arts Gallery has intricate glasswork.
The Fritz and Milly Kaeser Mestrovic Studio Gallery of African Art reopened in 2017 with some pieces never before seen by the public. I loved seeing the European art, especially “An Acadian Landscape” by Dutch artist Jan van Huysum in 1730 and “An Allegory of a Spanish Victory” by Italian artist Corrado Giaquinto in 1759.
The bottom level houses Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance art, while the upper level houses works by 19th-century European artists and American art. A gigantic oil canvas measuring 72 by 102 inches by American artist Paul Henry Wood, titled “Absolution Under Fire,” produced in 1891, captivated me. It shows a historic occurrence from the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1963, when Rev. William J. Corby addressed the troops of the Irish Brigade.
The Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park is located on campus at the intersection of Eddy Street and Angela Boulevard.
The Snite Museum of Art features ten permanent collection galleries open all year and five galleries with changing exhibits. The museum just reopened and is available to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, and Noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no admission fee.
THE BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART
This place of worship, dedicated in 1888, is stunning both inside and out. You may see the mass schedule on the website, as well as links to view a live stream of mass. The Main Administration Building, commonly known as The Golden Dome, is located right adjacent to the Basilica.
ECK VISITOR CENTER
You can get a campus map and any of your questions answered here, as well as book a tour if you need a guide.
THE GOLDEN DOME
This primary administration building, the third administration building, was finished in 1879. It was hurriedly constructed after the former structure was destroyed by fire. A figure of Mary crowns the dome. Also, step inside and look up at the painted interior of the dome, as well as portraits, tapestries, busts, and other works of art.
TOUCHDOWN JESUS
Make your way over to the Hesburgh Library to see “The World of Life,” a stone mosaic that spans the southern wall of the 14-story building. Because Jesus’ arms are raised in the same manner as a football referee, the mural was dubbed “Touchdown Jesus.” It stands 134 feet tall and 68 feet wide and was built in 1964.
If you get hungry, you can stop by The Huddle, which is located next to Washington Hall near the Golden Dome and has a small food court. Finish in the Bookstore, where you can get some Fighting Irish stuff.
