Be careful as you cross S. 18th St. to St. Patrick. Descend 5 steps on the right. Continue past Saber Way on the left and Gable St. on the right. Keep left as you walk this winding, narrow road, which borders South Side Park as it cuts approximately 1/3rd mile through the Slopes. The view toward the top is of Oakland and the University of Pittsburgh. Just before the Arlington Fire Station Engine #22 and Arlington Ave. is the Wayne Lester Memorial Orchard. Mr. Lester, a Pittsburgh firefighter and active member of the Arlington community, was instrumental in planting the orchard adjacent to the fire station.
StepTrek Route: Gold Route 2024
Gold/West Route 2024
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St. Patrick St. Steps
Descend the 82 steps to S. 18th St.
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St. Paul St.
Make left. The orange brick building on the left is the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, which is available for individual retreats by arrangement. Continue down the street to the brick walls that are part of the monastery. The walls appear to be the original ones that shielded the enclave from the outside world. Parts of the garden and its Stations of the Cross can be seen from either end of the wall. Follow St. Paul to St. Patrick St. Steps, which begin midway between the trees on the right.
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Monastery Ave.
From the top of Monastery St., make a right and descend along left side of Monastery Ave. to St. Paul St.
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* St. Paul of the Cross Monastery
Known as the barefoot missionaries, the Passionists vowed to live a life of prayer, poverty, penance and solitude. The first bishop of Pittsburgh invited the Italian order over in 1852. Designed by the architect Charles Bartberger, who also designed St. Michael Church, the church was completed in 1859 in the midst of an 11 acre compound chosen for its serenity, natural beauty and seclusion. The architectural style is Romanesque. The interior rose window is a copy of one in Reims, Germany. The newly renovated chapel is exquisite and opens daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please step inside for quiet observation. On exiting the chapel, take in the stunning view of downtown.
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Monastery St. Steps
Cross street and make left to ascend 15 steps on the right side. These steps and sidewalk were rebuilt a few years ago as part of a project to replace a larger set of steps that ran the length of Monastery. At the top lies the historical St. Paul of the Cross Monastery.
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St. Thomas St.
Make right and climb 5 steps on the way to Monastery St. Look right to view downtown and the rivers.
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St. Joseph Way
Walk the short distance to St. Thomas St.
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St. Joseph Way Steps
Make left at fire hydrant and climb 77 steps to St. Joseph Way. Note that the first few houses have access via the steps only.
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* Brosville-Monastery Welcome Garden
Terraced into the hillside ahead is a quiet green space. The fabricated canvas of COR-TEN steel plate was created by former SSSNA board member and architect Peter Kreuthmeier and installed against a curved retaining wall. The scrim replicates a section of a Slopes neighborhood from a lot and block map. An Elm Street project funded by the state, it was dedicated in 2007 and is one of six gardens maintained by SSSNA members. The installation has garnered both state and local awards.