Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall - A Temple for Veterans

Stop on University of Pittsburgh Campus Walk, a free self-guided tour.

This columned giant stands on ground that served as a Union Army mustering field during the Civil War. Local veterans began pushing for a memorial in the 1890s; architect Henry Hornbostel designed it in 1907, and it was dedicated in 1910. It is the largest memorial in the United States dedicated solely to honoring veterans of every branch of the military.

Inside is a 2,300-seat auditorium whose stage is backed by the Gettysburg Address, plus a museum and the Hall of Valor, which honors more than 600 veterans from the region. The museum charges admission, so check its website for hours and prices; the front lawn and steps are free to enjoy.

The hall is part of campus life, too. It hosts lectures and big events: Nelson Mandela spoke here in 1991, and Barack Obama in 2008. Pitt even runs a parking garage tucked under the front lawn.

Did you know?: Scenes from the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs were shot inside this hall.

Photo op: Stand on the Fifth Avenue sidewalk at the center of the lawn to frame the hall's columned front perfectly symmetrically.

Accessibility: The Fifth Avenue sidewalk is level, but the front of the hall has a long flight of steps; check with the museum about its accessible entrance.