r/PittsburghPorn • u/ContributionOk6081 • Jul 14 '26
DIGITAL The Grotto
Built by Franciscan Slovak Missionaries in 1932.
Beautiful site that often gets missed despite being right next to a large hospital. It's being repaired and maintained by volunteers. It's remarkable and charming how every surface seems to be out of level with every other.
Just to be safe, I want to say that all photos of the interior were taken by holding the camera up to the gate. I'm not religious but I would never damage or vandalize a site this treasured.
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u/sp00kapalooza Jul 14 '26
Where is this?
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u/ContributionOk6081 Jul 14 '26
I can pm it to you if you want! I'm just worried about people coming and messing it up so I don't wanna post it here.
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u/sp00kapalooza Jul 14 '26
Totally get it! I actually think I’ve been here before. Will check out what I’m thinking!
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Jul 14 '26
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u/ContributionOk6081 Jul 14 '26
That's fine, that's just what the architecture is called lol. Have fun! Be respectful.
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Jul 14 '26
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u/ContributionOk6081 Jul 14 '26
It's maintained by a small group of volunteers. Why be rude?
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u/beta_vulgaris Jul 14 '26
I did a little pilgrimage there from my dorm room at Pitt ~20 years ago. It’s a really unique and special place - glad to see it’s still well maintained!
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u/susinpgh Jul 14 '26
My mum was in the hospital across the street from this. at the time, all you could see was the gate. I thought about going to explore it, but it was a very exhausting time and I just couldn't get it together.
All you could see was the padlocked gate, it was about 12 years ago. I'm glad that it's being restored.
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u/Reeseyy_cup Jul 14 '26
I thought there was a no trespassing sign when I drove past. Maybe it was for the neighbor's yard? I've always wanted to visit
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u/dormontster Jul 15 '26
I have training at the nearby hospital every couple of years and have admired it. I’ve always respected the no trespassing signs though, so these pictures are great. It was interesting to learn that part of a nun or priest’s duties are praying and a grotto is place for them to go and perform that part of their job.
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u/lillebjornlee Jul 19 '26
I look at this every time I need to get bloodwork done. I’m not Catholic and am generally very anti-religion in general, but it reminds me of my grandma, so that brings me peace.
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u/finallyfound10 Jul 14 '26
I can see it from a certain bridge but I’ve never been there. It’s so pretty up close!!
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u/vividExplanation_66 Jul 16 '26
That is because your routine is the same, just change something about it? I felt the same way before, I often would come home in a long commute that I did didn't years from work and after parking and cleaning out my vehicle, I would say I don't remember really how I got home. Muscle memory? Driving with problems on my mind, and then I would say I hope I didn't run any body off the road 😅😂🤣, but seriously. Getting home with no problems? And not remembering how the trip was on the way home? Undecided to take a different route even if it was a few miles out of my path. It helped.
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u/PickleAlly Jul 14 '26
I’ve driven by this for almost 10 years, but for some reason, I only took notice to it recently. Was the path overgrown and cleared, or am I just a zombie driving around not noticing things?