Oct. 2, 2010 - Jan. 9, 2011
1st Floor - Ann & Martin G. McGuinn Gallery

(Exhibit photos credit: © 2010 Vatican Splendors. Object photos credit: © Città del Vaticano unless otherwise noted.)

One of the largest Vatican collections to ever tour North America is coming to Pittsburgh this fall.

On Sat., Oct. 2, the Senator John Heinz History Center will host Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art, a 10,000 square-foot exhibition presenting unique objects illustrating 2,000 years of art, history, and culture. The History Center is one of only three venues in North America to host this extraordinary exhibition.

Presented by Federated Investors, Inc. and UPMC, Vatican Splendors will provide Americans with a rare opportunity to see artwork and objects from the collections of the Vatican.

The Vatican Splendors exhibition will present nearly 200 unique items from the Vatican, including:

• Original works by Michelangelo, as well as a first generation cast of the Pietà from St. Peter's Basilica, alongside signed documents and personal objects used in work on the Sistine Chapel 
• Guercino's c. 1622 "Portrait of Christ with Crown of Thorns" painting, the first modern representation of Jesus, that has never been on display at the Vatican 
• 17th century works by Bernini, including carved, gilded angels and a baroque urn depicting the Last Supper from the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
• A reliquary containing the remains of Saint Peter and Saint Paul that has never been outside of the Vatican
• Original frescoes of saints created between 1277-1280 at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls
• Objects discovered at the tombs of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
• A bronze Cast of the Hand of Pope John Paul II, which visitors are encouraged to touch during their visit, alongside a handwritten poem from John Paul II 
• Historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter’s in Rome

To augment and enhance the Vatican Splendors exhibition, the History Center is working closely with Bishop David Zubik and the Diocese of Pittsburgh and others to exhibit rarely seen regional artifacts and historical documents.

In conjunction with the Vatican Splendors exhibition, the History Center will also display Angels of Mercy: Sisters in Healthcare in Western Pennsylvania, an exhibition highlighting the contributions of religious women to healthcare in this region, in the museum's fourth floor Community Gallery.

The Vatican Splendors Cabinet, which is made up of community leaders, is co-chaired by J. Christopher Donahue and Martin G. McGuinn.

Hours
Throughout the run of the exhibition, the History Center will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with extended hours during the holiday season.

Tickets
Members of local parishes and religious congregations can purchase tickets and obtain a $2 discount for each admission ticket purchased.

History Center members can also purchase tickets at an even greater discount. Ticket prices for History Center members are $15 for adults and seniors and $11 for children (ages 6-13). Children under age 5 are free.

Visitors interested in becoming a new History Center member will receive at least one free ticket to the exhibit, depending on membership level. To become a History Center member, please contact Megan Kuniansky at 412-454-6436 or mtkuniansky@heinzhistorycenter.org. 

Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, via telephone at 1-888-5VATICAN, or at the History Center box office during museum hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day).

Members of parishes or congregations must mention the Parish Advantage program when purchasing tickets to receive the $2 discount.

For questions and more information, please contact:
Membership Inquires – Megan Kuniansky – 412-454-6436
Parish Advantage Inquires – Paula Andras – 412-454-6341

Ticket for the general public will be available later this summer. Continue to check back frequently to www.heinzhistorycenter.org for the latest ticket sale details.

Click here to sign-up to receive special ticket announcements before the general public.

Admission
Adult admission will be $20, with discounts available for seniors, children, students, groups, and Parish Advantage participants. History Center members will receive the deepest discount available.

Group Tour Reservations
The History Center is currently accepting group tour reservations. To book a group tour, please contact:

JoAnn Micale: 412-454-6424 or 
jamicale@heinzhistorycenter.org 

Katie Phillips: 412-454-6425 or
kphillips@heinzhistorycenter.org

Click here to pre-register by filling out an online form.

School Groups and Field Trips
The Vatican Splendors exhibition is appropriate for public school groups and religious education groups. Educational study guides for religious and non-religious schools will be available.

• School and religious education groups will not be admitted into the exhibition without reservations
• All tours are self-guided and run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday through Friday, starting on the hour
• Students/Teachers/Chaperones: $8 per person - a savings of up to $12 per ticket!
• Audio tour available for a nominal fee. Educational study guides for religious and general curriculum studies (covering math, science, art and history) are available for download at www.vaticansplendors.com

To make school and religious education group reservations, please contact Maggie Satler at 412-454-6304 or masatler@heinzhistorycenter.org.  

Click here to pre-register by filling out an online form.

Sponsorship
For sponsorship information, please contact Cara Lindberg at 412-454-6325 or calindberg@heinzhistorycenter.org.

For more information, including ticket information and special membership opportunities, please stay tuned to www.heinzhistorycenter.org. For additional exhibition information, please visit www.vaticansplendors.com.

For general inquires, please call 412-454-6000.

Click here for a list of employment opportunities related to Vatican Splendors.

The Senator John Heinz History Center would like to thank the following generous supporters for helping to make the Vatican Splendors exhibit possible:

Presenting Sponsors 

Cabinet Members
J. Christopher Donahue and Martin G. McGuinn, Chairmen
Nadine E. Bognar
Joseph L. Calihan
Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D., Duquesne University
Robert P. Kelly, BNY Mellon 
Kenneth R. Melani, M.D., Highmark Inc. 
Jeffrey A. Romoff, UPMC 
David Shapira, Giant Eagle 
The Most Reverend David A. Zubik, D.D.

Benefactor Sponsors
Richard B. Fisher
Richard P. Simmons

Patron Sponsors
Roy G. Dorrance, III
Frank B. Fuhrer
John T. Ryan, III

Contributors
Carol Brown
Frank V. Cahouet
John P. Friel
Alvaro Garcia-Tunon
James L. Murdy
Maureen O’Brien
John Staley
John S. Stanik, Calgon Carbon Corporation

(As of Aug. 18, 2010)