'Vatican Splendors'
PITTSBURGH — The Heinz History Center's largest exhibit ever opens Saturday.
"Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art" contains original works by Michelangelo, Bernini and Giotto in the largest Vatican exhibit ever to visit North America. Pittsburgh is one of three North American cities to host it.
Nearly 200 rare pieces of art and historical objects from the Vatican will be shown along with a special collection of Western Pennsylvania religious artifacts.
In honor of the exhibit, images of the art and historical objects will be projected onto the nearby David L. Lawrence Convention Center as part of the city's Festival of Lights beginning Friday.
The special collection of local artifacts includes seldom seen items such as vestments, crosiers, chalices, monstrances, statues and paintings.
The collection is on loan from churches and archives throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the region, the center's archives, and the Andy Warhol Museum.
Objects in the exhibition are on loan from The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Vatican Library, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the Apostolic Floreria. Additional objects are on loan by the Papal Swiss Guard.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and students with college ID, and $13 for children ages 6 to 13. Children age 5 and younger are admitted free. Members of the history center and area parishes and congregations can buy tickets at a discount. Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 888-588-4226.The center at 1212 Smallman St. in the Strip District is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.More information is available at www.heinzhistorycenter.org.
