Allegheny County Courthouse
Allegheny County Courthouse
4
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
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893 within 3 miles
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355 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
35 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
3
MiltonKimura
Pittsburgh, PA39 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
It isn't often that a historically important building still serves its original function as the Allegheny County Courthouse does. Your visit will take you past huddles of lawyers with their clients, security personnel escorting persons of interest through the hallways, and law clerks glimpsed through glass-paneled doors. Enter by the Forbes Street entrance and stop at the information desk for a brochure that will take you on a self-guided tour and provide essential information about the building and its history. Included are a restored courtroom that you may enter provided no proceedings are in progress, the grand stair case with its myriad arches, and the central courtyard with its plantings and fountain.
Written September 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim
Sewickley, PA297 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Though he died young and before his courthouse in Pittsburgh was finished, Henry Hobson Richardson considered this building to be his finest. A massive tower rises above this heavy stoned structure that is dominated by its arches - Richardson Romanesque, for sure. But don't miss the interior murals as well. Pittsburgh's Grant Street, on which this building sits, is flanked by other fine and historic buildings. It's a great walking tour.m just continue to look up!
Written July 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ballhatguy
Cincinnati, OH63 contributions
The Allegheny Courthouse and Jail (now county/court offices) is an architectural masterpiece by H. H. Richardson. Completed in 1888, Richardson considered the complex (buildings are connected by a exquisite stone bridge that once functioned to transfer prisoners between the Courthouse and Jail) one of his finest works and I'd agree. The courtyard is a beautiful, tranquil space and the building offers some nice interior spaces as well.
This may not be a fun place to take the kids but architecture buffs should enjoy. Walk around and take in all the views of the buildings.
This may not be a fun place to take the kids but architecture buffs should enjoy. Walk around and take in all the views of the buildings.
Written September 6, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TripMember11272017
Cerro Plano, Costa Rica65 contributions
Jul 2017
this place is only worth walking by but from across the street-pittsburgh law enforcement love to throw in jail all tourists!
my title says it all-oh maybe not the movie "silence of the lambs" was filmed here
enough said
my title says it all-oh maybe not the movie "silence of the lambs" was filmed here
enough said
Written January 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeyondIsWithin 2
Pittsburgh, PA23 contributions
I think it is -- built of huge "Richardsonian Romanesque" stone blocks, this place impressed me even as a child -- it has its own Bridge of Sighs, and maybe the inside will be repurposed now that it isn't a prison anymore....
Written January 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonard K
Washington DC, DC378 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The good news is that this majestic building designed by H. H. Richardson (a monumental figure in American Architecture...) is still largely intact (no small wonder...).
The bad news is that it is still an operating Alleghany Couny Courthouse!
One can no longer enter by the magnificent processional front door and stairs...one now enters through a ground level service door, which will include the customary courthouse security check (think airports...).
Then you'll have to navigate up the side stairways to get up to the real entry floor...which is still magnificent! (Someone please tell the facility managers to star using the historic incandescant electric lightbulbs instead of the disgusting new cool white LED bulbs!!!)
Make sure you also visit the courtyard...the fountain (including the ornamental underside of its upper basin...) is maginificent...enjoy!
The bad news is that it is still an operating Alleghany Couny Courthouse!
One can no longer enter by the magnificent processional front door and stairs...one now enters through a ground level service door, which will include the customary courthouse security check (think airports...).
Then you'll have to navigate up the side stairways to get up to the real entry floor...which is still magnificent! (Someone please tell the facility managers to star using the historic incandescant electric lightbulbs instead of the disgusting new cool white LED bulbs!!!)
Make sure you also visit the courtyard...the fountain (including the ornamental underside of its upper basin...) is maginificent...enjoy!
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewYorker375
New York City, NY72 contributions
Jul 2017
H.H. Richardson's masterpiece (in my opinion). Millions were spend on rehabilitating and refurnishing its Romanesque exterior, interior stairways and courtrooms (one restored to its initial height dimensions). A self-guiding tour book is available for visitors. On Mondays only, from 11:30 am - 1 pm the Old Jail is open for visiting, as well. The building is still connected by a (still-used) replica of the original "Bridge of Sighs". Children used to be locked up in the Jail when it was operating. I took pictures of each of my grandchildren behind bars...a truly memorable experience for them and for me.
Written July 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine M
FAIRFAX81 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
I took about 1,000 photos of this building. It is gorgeous. Be sure to walk inside the courthouse plaza -- there's a fountain and benches. Very peaceful and beautiful.
Written August 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa G
Pittsburgh, PA33 contributions
Oct 2011
The building has been used in movies many times... it gives you the feeling of being in a court room the way you imagined it all your life... huge doors, marble hallways, high wooden benches and furniture.
Written June 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laceylouise
North Huntingdon, PA913 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
This is sadly a very old and dirty building that criminal court is held and other offices are. Can’t imagine what travelers think coming here.
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is the walking tour of the old allegheny jail open every monday from 11:30 to 1300 in oct. and nov. of 2017? are reservations required?
Written October 2, 2017
Can a couple with 9 guests get married in a pretty area of the courthouse?
Written March 25, 2015
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