Tour guest looks up at Vanka's Murals on at the ceiling of Saint Nicholas

Conservator reaches from scaffolding to clean the ceiling Murals of Maxo Vanka featuring a night sky and angel.

A docent stands in front of tour guests in Saint Nicholas Church and gestures while describing the Vanka Murals.

Public Tours

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring murals of Croatian artist Maxo Vanka on a guided tour at the historic St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale. Discover how these striking works were painted by Vanka in 1937 and 1941 to reflect the culture and lives of the working-class immigrant congregation. While on the tour, you’ll see conservation in action as you learn about the stories behind the murals and their timeless messages.

Exciting Progress and Important Information

Right now – you can view the results of conservation AND see our conservators at work during public tours. The scaffolding will be up through mid-May. Visit today to see the “reveal” of Transcendent Vision and much more.

Schedule

Saturdays, 11am & 12:30pm
Mondays, 6:30pm
Thursdays, 6:30pm

Admission

Admission is $15 per person. Senior discount available. Children under 5 are free.

Advance reservations are encouraged for Saturday (11:00am and 12:30pm) public tours, but walk-ins are welcome. Advance reservations are required for Monday public tours (6:30pm). If there are no bookings by 3:00pm on Monday, that evening’s tour will be cancelled.

Thanks for supporting the murals

Tour admission fees are essential to our efforts to ensure public access to the murals. All proceeds from public tours and sales of gift items support the ongoing conservation and education efforts of the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka.

More to Tour

Visit the shop

Following your tour, visitors are welcome to purchase postcards, stickers, t-shirts, and other gift items to share with family and friends. You can also shop online.

Private Tours

Private tours are available by request with advanced notice and based on availability. Please visit our Private Tours page to submit a request.

Questions? Visit FAQs & Directions >

The Murals Experience Reviews

					  Excellent experience - Bringing out of town family here was a stroke of genius! They loved the docent tour on Saturday morning. Such beautiful murals and a unique story behind them. You will learn about the artist, the Croatian community in Pittsburgh, and the stories behind some of the most interesting murals I've ever seen in an urban, church setting. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to have a fun and unusual experience in Pittsburgh that is off the "common path" for visitors.				
Road63203755945
September 8, 2024 

					  Small Church Has a Big Story to Tell - Located in the outskirts of Pittsburgh you will find the St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church. From the outside the building is quite unassuming.   It's a small neighborhood church, smaller than then the parish church in the neighborhood I grew up in. 

Step inside however, and you will behold incredible murals painted by a man, I had never heard of until the visit here.  The murals are incredible in detail and in the stories they tell.  

This is a MUST visit when you are in the Pittsburgh area, and you don't have to spend a great deal of time here. 

There are Saturday tours. Call ahead and check on availability.  The tours last about an hour but you can stay as long as you like. 

This was a hidden gem and a remarkable experience that was completed unexpected.				
TheEdgeNYC
October 22, 2023 

					  MUST SEE  - The murals are a MUST SEE in Pittsburgh and Millvale.  Don't call yourself a Pittsburgher unless you have been here.				
Christine E
October 11, 2023 

					  Incredible Murals With Robust History  - Outstanding murals located on a hill overlooking the city with unique views. The murals themselves are breathtaking and well maintained. You can schedule private tours or attend open tours, the docents are extremely knowledgeable about the history surrounding the murals.				
Louis K
October 11, 2023 

					  The docent led tour was exceptional. Such an aesthetic experience! Certainly a collection of gems to behold in Pittsburgh.				
SolimanBay
February 11, 2023 

					  Very impressed with tour of the murals; extremely interesting and moving.  Highest recommendation.  Great descriptions of the content and messages, unique perspective into the creation of modern masterpieces.				
alansN3340LI
January 8, 2023 

Shrines of Pittsburgh

In 2019, St. Nicholas was named as one of the Shrines of Pittsburgh.

Learn More

The Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka is an independent and registered 501 (c)(3) organization founded to save and share the Vanka Murals. Contributions are fully tax deductible.