Hail to Heritage: Nationality Rooms Offer Holiday Tours

Where can you visit 27 countries in one day? The University of Pittsburgh.

Nestled inside the towering 42-story Cathedral of Learning—the world's second-tallest education building—sit small rooms, rich in heritage, each architecturally designed and decorated in the style of the country that it represents.

Especially beautiful during the holiday season, the cathedral's Nationality Rooms are bedecked in holiday decor through Jan. 15.

So why not take a tour?

On the weekends, narrated tape tours are available on Saturdays without prior reservation from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The last tape tour is dispatched at 2:30.

Guided holiday tours are available at 10 a.m. daily from Dec. 27-31. Tickets will be sold at the Information Counter, and no reservations are accepted. The last tour is dispatched at 2:30 p.m. each day.

"Holiday tours are first-come first-served," said a university tour guide who's toured locals through the rooms since 2006. "If you have a large group, come as soon as you can."

Entry for adults is $3 each. Persons aged 8 to 18 years cost $1 each. Children aged 7 and younger enter for free.

"It's hard to choose a favorite room," the tour guide said. "Each room offers something little and different that I like."

When asked if she encounters many out-of-towners, she said, "It's about 50-50. We do get a lot of locals—but a lot of tourists, too."

Although holiday decor is removed on Jan. 15, starting Jan. 21, you can enjoy a weekend tape tour of the rooms in their normal appearance. Reservations for guided tours are accepted for groups of 10 or more.

Click here for more information and/or a virtual tour.

This article originally appeared on the .

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