Honoring The Ethnic Groups That Helped Build Pittsburgh - The Nationality Room

The Nationality Rooms represent and celebrate the culture of the diverse communities of Pittsburgh. Most of the rooms are used as classrooms, giving students the opportunity to learn in a unique setting that gives them a hands-on experience with these rich heritages.

The 42-story Gothic Revival Cathedral of Learning was commissioned in 1921, with construction beginning in 1926. That same year, the concept of the Nationality Rooms was introduced. The first 19 rooms, located on the first floor, were completed between 1938 and 1957. An additional 12 rooms—some on the third floor—have been added since 1987.

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The story of the Rooms is the story of the communities that are the heartbeat of Pittsburgh.

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The rooms were created based on designs by international architects, designers, artists and craftspeople. 

The Nationality Rooms are gifts from the ethnic communities who helped to build Pittsburgh. 31 rooms commemorate the cultural heritages of the communities who supported and planned their construction.

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The Nationality Rooms

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The Hungarian room was dedicated in 1939.

The Greek Room was designed in the 5th Century B.C. Classical style and was dedicated in 1941.

The Chinese Room dedicated in 1939 and is designed in the 18th-Century Chinese Empire style.

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The German Room designed to reflect the 16th Century German Renaissance style was dedicated in 1938.

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The Syria-Lebanon Room was dedicated in 1941. It was originally the library of a wealthy Damascene merchant’s home, moved here intact.

The Byzantine Russian Room with Folk motifs was dedicated in 1938.

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The Minka-style Japanese Room was dedicated in 1999.

The Indian Room was dedicated in 2000 and was modeled on a typical 4th-9th Century AD courtyard from Nalanda University.

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The African Heritage Room dedicated in 1989 and was designed to reflect an 18th- Century Asante Temple.

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The Turkish Room was based on a main room in a typical Turkish house. It was dedicated in 2012.

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The Israel Room was dedicated in 1987 and reflects the simplicity of a 1st-Century Galilean stone house.

In the Ukrainian Room was dedicated in 1990 and is an adaptation of a nobleman’s reception room.

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What you should know:

• You can make a reservation online to tour the rooms.

• The common areas of the first floor can be self-toured.

• The guided tour is approximately 90 minutes.

• The guides are students and are very informative.

• On the street metered parking and parking garage options are available.

• Public restrooms are available.

• Check the website for days and hours of operation, and any special events.

Location: Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittburgh, PA 15260

For more information: The Nationality Rooms

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