We are happy to provide regularly scheduled tours of the Vanka Murals on Saturdays at St. Nicholas Church, currently following COVID-19 safety protocols. Occasionally, church events force a rescheduling; so please do schedule in advance.
Guided tours, provided by trained, enthusiastic docents last about an hour. In this time, you’ll gain insights into Vanka’s art and the experiences that shaped his ideas. Our terrific volunteer docents discuss and answer questions about Vanka’s early life, his success in Europe and his life in America.
Admission: $10 per person.
We are happy to arrange private tours with advance notice. Please complete the form below. SPMMMV requests a minimum of eight people or a donation of $80 to reserve an exclusive day, time and Docent. Private tours for smaller groups may be accommodated by combining them with other tours when possible.
Questions? tours@vankamurals.org
We are committed to the health and safety of our community and our mission to save and share the Vanka Murals. Our limited offerings include mandatory policies and procedures that must be followed by staff, volunteers and visitors. We will continue to monitor public health recommendations for prevention and containment from the CDC and Allegheny County Health Department and adjust or suspend operations as needed.
We can’t wait to see you. Our thanks in advance for your patience as we maintain these protocols for the health and safety of our visitors and volunteers. The Vanka Murals full COVID-19 Policy is available.
Questions? tours@vankamurals.org
Maxo Vanka’s murals provide a great platform for learning for all ages. Contact us about lessons in the immigrant experience, social justice, art and more.
By car: Follow the easy directions via google map
On foot: A sidewalk with curb cuts run up Maryland Ave. to the church. The accessible building entrance is located on the rectory side of the church. Maryland Ave. can be reached via a short, picturesque walk across the 40th St. Bridge or the Millvale Riverfront Trail.
By bus: Two bus lines run right off of Maryland Ave. The 2 Bus Line runs along Grant Ave. between Downtown and the North Hills, and the 1 Bus Line runs along E. Ohio St. between Downtown and Tarentum. You can plan your trip at the Port Authority website.
By bike: Millvale is served by a bike trail along the Millvale Riverfront Trail from Downtown. In addition, there are bike lanes connecting the 40th St. Bridge to Maryland Ave. The nearest Healthy Ride Bikeshare Station is located across the 40th St. Bridge at Butler St. & 42nd St. in Lawrenceville. Find stations and information at the Healthy Ride website.
Thanks for supporting the murals.
Tour admission fees are essential to our efforts to ensure public access to the murals. You may pay your admission at the Church or in advance.
Special Note
St. Nicholas is an active church. SPMMMV provides public access through our tour program on Saturdays. These hours may be delayed or cancelled due to church activities. Please check our website or Facebook for any cancellation notices. Tours at other hours must be scheduled through SPMMMV. Mural viewing is not possible during regularly schedule weekly mass services.
Please fill in all required* fields.
Public tours, led by docents, are held on Saturdays at 11:00 am. Private tours at other times are by appointment only. A minimum of eight people or a donation of $80 is required. Due to church schedule, private tours are not available after 3:00 pm on Saturday or before 12:30 pm on Wednesday.
For advance reservation (including pre-payment of admission fee) and private tour requests email us at tours@vankamurals.org.
Please remember that St. Nicholas is an active parish. Mural viewing is NOT allowed during regularly scheduled Mass, 5:00 pm Saturday and 8:00 am Wednesday, or during other church-related activities.
Please try to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of the tour start time. If you arrive late, you may join a tour in progress or wait for the next one. The $10 admission is still required.
Trained volunteers serve as docents. We recruit volunteers with diverse experiences, expertise and interests. A passion for the Vanka Murals and desire to tell their story is the primary qualification.
Tours are approximately 60 minutes. Docents are happy to answer questions during and after the tour.
Tours are $10 per person. Admission fees and merchandise help to conserve and light the murals. They are also essential to our mission to provide access to the murals for the general public. Donations are fully tax deductible. If a donation receipt is desired, we recommend that you make an online donation or pay by a check payable to: SPMMMV.
Yes. Please follow directional signage upon arrival. Parking is available in the convent parking lot across from the church on Maryland Avenue and around the church. If your group is arriving by tour bus, email us for instructions: tours@vankamurals.org.
Please note: Exit from Church-side parking lot is behind the Rectory building with right turn up Maryland Avenue and left turn left on Logan Street or down to Sheridan Avenue.
Caution: The traffic coming down Logan Street (to the right next to the entrance to the church) does not stop and may be making a sharp left onto Maryland.
Other Parking:
Flash photography is not permitted. However, photography for personal use is allowed. Any other photography must be approved by SPMMMV. For more information, please contact Anna Doering, Managing Director, at: adoering@vankamurals.org or leave a message: 412.408.3180.
We request that any posts to publicly accessible websites or blogs include a link back to our website – www.vankamurals.org – to assist us in our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support for the murals. And if you are sharing to social media, please include hashtag #SaveMaxoVanka. We also welcome submissions for inclusion on our website at: info@vankamurals.org.
The tour is recommended for children who are capable of paying quiet attention to a presentation of up to one hour and can appreciate the solemnity of their setting. Ask your docent or greeter for children’s activities for use during the tour including noticing cards, scavenger hunts and other educational resources. Additionally, visit our tours page to learn more about school visits and field trips.
More questions? tours@vankamurals.org
In 2019, St. Nicholas was named as one of the Shrines of Pittsburgh.