Saint Anthony Chapel
Saint Anthony Chapel
4.5
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
Best nearby
Restaurants
858 within 3 miles
Attractions
194 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
178 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
34
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Andrea J
Pittsburgh, PA1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
We really enjoyed visiting the chapel. It was our first time. It is much larger than we thought. And absolutely beautiful! We enjoyed learning it’s history and seeing so many of the artifacts. Hard to believe there are so many in one place. We told our family and friends about it any many plan on visiting it soon. We also look forward to visiting it again. Such a treasure for Pittsburgh.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff B
New York City, NY2 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
A place for the devout Catholic or history buff. The amount of relics is mind boggling and the life sized stations of the cross are something you don't see everyday. The story of the construction and restoration is amazing. A definite must see.
Written December 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gary C
Washington DC, DC1,768 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Located in Troy Hills, 10 minutes outside downtown Pittsburgh, the chapel was built in the 1880's and renovated in the 1970's. It is a beautiful and serene facility that harkens back to a time when the Catholic Church served the needs of Pittsburgh's huge Eastern European ethnic communities.
The chapel is home to a collection of over 7,000 reliquaries that are beautifully displayed in hand carved walnut cases. The statuary depicting the Stations of the Cross are vibrant and dynamic. And the stained glass on the front and sides of the chapel are superb. If you are planning your visit ahead of time, a guided tour is easily arranged. Unfortunately, interior photography is not permitted.
In addition to the chapel, the architecture of the rectory of other buildings is interesting. There is a small shop-museum across from the chapel where you can see the history of the chapel and its founder, Rev Mollinger.
The chapel would be of interest to religious folks of any denomination. But it should be a must see for Roman Catholics visiting Pittsburgh.
The chapel is home to a collection of over 7,000 reliquaries that are beautifully displayed in hand carved walnut cases. The statuary depicting the Stations of the Cross are vibrant and dynamic. And the stained glass on the front and sides of the chapel are superb. If you are planning your visit ahead of time, a guided tour is easily arranged. Unfortunately, interior photography is not permitted.
In addition to the chapel, the architecture of the rectory of other buildings is interesting. There is a small shop-museum across from the chapel where you can see the history of the chapel and its founder, Rev Mollinger.
The chapel would be of interest to religious folks of any denomination. But it should be a must see for Roman Catholics visiting Pittsburgh.
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Catherine M
Orlando, FL2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
We visited this chapel to see the thorn from Jesus’ crown and when we arrived we were greeted by someone in the chapel. We told him we saw the crown in Paris and were interested in seeing the thorn. He said that they had it in the chapel and then talked for about 45 minutes about all of their relics. He ended his tour with telling us that the thorn was in a glass vial on a high shelf behind the railing at the front of the chapel and if you lean on the railing you may be able to glimpse it. I unfortunately could not see the thorn because it was too high up. I wish that he would have said in the beginning that it isn’t available to see instead of leading us on for 45 minutes.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sierra M
Westfield, NJ89 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
I've been waiting to visit St. Anthony's since I first learned about it 4 years ago. I found myself in Pittsburgh on my way to the Midwest and visited today. It was a huge disappointment. I love relics and go out of my way to see them. There are too many pieces in this collection, and they are displayed sloppily. Prized pieces are hidden. Everything is dusty. The catalog is confusing and impossible to follow. The docent was horrible. She completely ruined what was left of the experience for me. She had no knowledge of the relics. She told nonsensical and circuitous stories that failed to elucidate the collection. There are some great relics here - good luck finding them.
Written August 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Phillysem23
Boston, MA6 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Powerful experience in a small chapel up on Troy Hill neighborhood of Pgh. Most first-class relics, 5,000 plus, in any one place in the world....all authenticated....including pieces of Christ's cross, a piece of the Blessed Virgin Mary's veil and st. Joseph's cloak, bones of all 12 Apostles, skulls of saints, many more....and dont miss the educational talk by one of st. Anthony parishioners who have lived the story of Father's collection and the building of the sacred place to house them....a truly sacred place and a Pitsburgh gem.
Written September 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dianne B
Pittsburgh, PA5 contributions
Apr 2012
What a treasure! The chapel is so gorgeous... there are thousands of relics in this chapel. Only the Vatican has more. Stations of the Cross are lifesize carved from wood from Germany. The pews are mahoghany. If you can go when they give free tours it is worth it to hear the history behind the chapel. Many miracles have happened here as well. What a blessing and a MUST SEE if you live in Pittsburgh or are visiting here.
Written July 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Richard D
Pittsburgh, PA34 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
I used to stop by this chapel in the early 1960s returning from school. It was old, very dark, and poorly cared for. Nevertheless, there were a number of extraordinary features of the chapel. First, it was claimed to have the largest collection of relics in the country. These relics were contained in gold reliquaries that were striking even in the dark, dirty surroundings. Second, there were dozens of very old crutches hanging on the walls surrounding the altar that were left there by crippled people who had experienced cures. Third, there were life-size wooden figures of the Stations of the Cross.
Since the 1960s beautiful restoration work has been completed at the Chapel. The reliquaries have been carefully cleaned, documented, and preserved. The Stations of the Cross, carved from olive wood in Germany @1898, have been cleaned and restored in their striking presence. A museum has been established across the street which houses many historical items, including a collection of old crutches.
Free tours are available which are delivered by a good collection of volunteers. Their explanations are invaluable in gaining knowledge and insight of this wonderful chapel
Since the 1960s beautiful restoration work has been completed at the Chapel. The reliquaries have been carefully cleaned, documented, and preserved. The Stations of the Cross, carved from olive wood in Germany @1898, have been cleaned and restored in their striking presence. A museum has been established across the street which houses many historical items, including a collection of old crutches.
Free tours are available which are delivered by a good collection of volunteers. Their explanations are invaluable in gaining knowledge and insight of this wonderful chapel
Written August 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JeremyFromToronto
Toronto, Canada164 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
St. Anthony's Chapel is out of the way from the other main attractions but it is worth it. It is only open from 1 to 4 according to the website, and I recommend getting there right at 1 to hear the tour speaker point out the most important relics like the piece of the True Cross and other amazing relics. The Stations of the Cross are life-sized, full-colour carvings.
There is no fee but there are recommended donations ($5 for the tour, $2 for lighting a candle)
There is no fee but there are recommended donations ($5 for the tour, $2 for lighting a candle)
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
76desert
West Virginia324 contributions
Jul 2010
This is a hidden treasure in the Troy Hill section of Pittsburgh (easy to get to). Review the website, www.saintanthonyschapel.org for directions and detailed info. According to the website the Roman Catholic chapel is open Sat-Thurs. 1 - 4 pm; closed Fridays and holidays. The website also notes that this is "the largest public collection of holy relics in the world." Some are substantial, some are the size of a fingernail. There's also life size stations of the cross. Free guided tours are available (suggested donation $3 per person) and there's a very nice gift shop/restrooms across the street. Gift shop open Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun. 1 - 4 pm. Parking is also available. This is truly worth your while, if the subject matter appeals to you. You can enhance your visit even more if you read up on how important relics have been to Christianity, especially for Catholics, since the beginning of the faith, and notably in the Middle Ages.
Written June 16, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stilltripping2015
Cincinnati, OH8 contributions
How long should we plan to spend there using the audio tour?
Dave M
fishkill, ny482 contributions
We didn't do the audio tour. We were fascinated without it.
ladyinblueNewJersey
NEWTON20 contributions
What are the hours one can visit the Chapel.
Honda4
Sunny Pittsburgh124 contributions
I am unsure of the days or hours of operation because they do vary and are dependent upon just a few who maintain the site so worth viewing.
Check website which I am not permitted to give but is saint anthonys chapel. org
Saint Anthony Chapel, Pittsburgh
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Anthony Chapel
- Saint Anthony Chapel is open:
- Sat - Thu 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Hotels near Saint Anthony Chapel:
- (1.14 mi) The Priory Hotel
- (1.62 mi) Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
- (1.19 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
- (1.30 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
- (1.75 mi) Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh
- Restaurants near Saint Anthony Chapel:
- (0.08 mi) Scratch & Co
- (0.16 mi) Pear And The Pickle
- (0.33 mi) Redfin Blues
- (0.89 mi) Pamela's Diner
- (1.24 mi) Jean-Marc Chatellier's French Bakery