San Antonio, Texas - World's Largest Virgin Mary Mosaic

This was stop number 6 on our 2009 Tour of Weirdness. We almost didn't see the sculpture, as it was further back from the street than I expected. The mosaic was beautifully detailed. The longer we looked at it, the more new things we saw in it. The atmosphere here was so peaceful, we didn't want to leave. Even the benches were pretty! This is well worth a visit if you are in the area. But look carefully for it! It's easy to pass up. [Lis, 07/22/2009]

The candle looks great. [Scott Mobley, 03/01/2009]

The Virgin Mary Mosaic Candle. It is more than just a flat mosaic - it is a 40 ft three-dimensional candle (veladora). [Carol Bell, 11/03/2007]

I couldn't find any other photos of this mosaic online -- so I looked for it while recently in San Antonio. All I could find was this one, on the side of the Santa Rosa hospital... which matches your description. I'd love to hear what you find out! [Julie Jackson, 04/23/2007]

[RA: Your shot certainly shows a giant, tiled mosaic, but that's no Virgin Mary. Perhaps a scary Angel of Death comforting a child... May 2007: Annette D'Armata writes both murals were done by the same artist, but at different locations in San Antonio.]

Really, this is the world's largest mosaic of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It's 40 ft. tall (covering the side of a 4-story building) and is a replica of the Virgin of Guadalupe candle, in the form of a half-candle relief, complete with eternal flame on top.

It was designed and built by artist Jesse Trevino, who lost an arm in Vietnam. Unveiling ceremony in December 2004 included an outdoor concert by singer Lourdes Perez with the Dama de Noche Orchestra. [Annette d'Armata, 07/04/2006]