Pittsburgh 8: Cathedral of Learning

[wyliepoon]

I certainly would not leave Pittsburgh without a trip to the University of Pittsburgh's famous Cathedral of Learning. The building itself is the second tallest university building in the world (behind Moscow State University) and a landmark of the collegiate gothic. The common room on the first floor spans three floors and is very cathedral-like. The whole building, inside and out, looks like something from the Lord of the Rings movies.

No visit to the Cathedral would be complete without a look at the famous Nationality Rooms, each designed in the architectural style of an ethnic group at the university. Almost all the rooms manage to display its architectural style without being too tacky or "Disney-fied".

I think Toronto could take something from the Nationality Room concept, given our ethnic diversity. How about Nationality Subway Stations?

Italian Classroom

Common Room

German Classroom

Polish Classroom

Irish Classroom

Romanian Classroom

Ceiling of Chinese Classroom

Chinese Classroom (looks more like a Chinese dining room to me)

Greek Classroom

Scottish Classroom

English Classroom (largest of the Nationality Rooms)

French Classroom

Norwegian Classroom

Russian Classroom

Syria-Lebanon Room (a small and very classy room, which is unfortunately not open to the public... this photo was taken through a glass door)

Going upstairs to the third floor...

Ukrainian Classroom

Israeli Heritage Room (my favourite!)

African Classroom

Indian Classroom

Armenian Classroom

Japanese Classroom

Near the Cathedral of Learning is the Heinz Memorial Chapel, home of some of the world's tallest stained glass windows.

 

[khris]

I remember seeing this building when I was in Pittsburgh. Such an awesome looking building. I never got to see it up this close though. I really like the classrooms. Are they actually used for classes?
I particularly liked the French one, and the Japanese one, and also the Indian one.

 

[wyliepoon]

^ Yes, they are used for classes (since I went there on a Sunday, there were no classes in any of the rooms- half the rooms were locked, and we were given a key at the gift shop to unlock the doors).

There's a list of special rules for classes using the rooms. No food or drinks are allowed inside, and no postering is allowed on the walls. They're "three strikes" rules... after the third violation the university will move the class out of the Nationality Room.

 

[Long Island Mike]

The Cathedral of Learning: A PGH classic!

Wylie: I have been in that building once myself and it just blew me away! It stands out in the E side of the City being away from Downtown as it is. I remember also a remnant of old Forbes Field - the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates before 1970-a small section of outfield wall with a distance mark nearby. The U of PGH is a great urban college campus!
LI MIKE