Gold has been used in architecture for centuries, because not only is it able to withstand the test of time, but it also depicts a sense of power, wealth and grandeur. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the famous gold domes around the world.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel
The Dome of the Rock is a 7^th Century shrine in Jerusalem, Israel, and houses the rock from which the Prophet Muhammad was said to have ascended to heaven, as well as the site at which Abraham, the first patriarch of the Hebrew people, was said to have sacrificed his son. This makes the Dome of the Rock extremely significant to both Muslims and Jews. The Dome is definitely a spectacular sight, with 80 kilograms of gold used to cover it.

Golden Ring, Russia
As you approach the medieval Russian towns of Suzdal, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Rostov and Zagorsk, you are likely to see glints of gold gleaming in the distance. This is because these towns form Russia’s Golden Ring, a series of historic towns that each have golden domes reaching towards the sky. Many sites in these towns are protected by UNESCO, and while the five towns that OROGOLD has mentioned are the main Golden Ring towns, there is no official list, and there are many other cities and regions that consider themselves to be a part of the Golden Ring.

Wyoming State Capitol, Wyoming, USA
Built between 1886 and 1890, the Wyoming State Capitol is the seat of the government of the state of Wyoming, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. While the dome of the building was originally built using copper, this became badly tarnished over time, and, in 1990, this was replaced with 24k gold leaf. To date, it has been re-gilded five times, with the most recent being in 2010. The golden dome is visible from all of the roads that lead to the city, glistening magically when it catches the sun.

University of Notre Dame, Paris, France
While the Notre Dame Cathedral may be one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, the historic University of Notre Dame is also significant to the area’s past, as well as its present. The current structure is the third building to stand on the site, and was built in 1879. Its golden dome was added in 1882, and was most recently re-gilded in 2005, with the whole dome covered in gold leaf. On top of the dome stands a 19-foot statue of Mary, the Mother of God, making the whole building another important Parisian landmark.

Since ancient times, gold has been an extremely revered metal, and still is to this day. From the golden Dome of the Rock which was built in the 7^th Century, to the golden dome of the Wyoming State Capitol, built just over one hundred years ago, these famous golden domes are located all over the world, each one a great example of the love and respect that we have for this metal.