Washington, DC is celebrated for its monuments and museums, but tucked within a relatively small area of Northwest Washington, DC are some of the nation’s most extraordinary sacred mosaic and stained glass masterpieces. These remarkable houses of worship offer an unforgettable journey through history, architecture, faith, and artistic excellence. Recently, I had the pleasure of leading members of the Mosaic Society of Philadelphia (MSOP) on a specially curated one-day art tour exploring three of Washington’s most inspiring sacred spaces. Thoughtfully planned and enriched with exclusive access, expert presentations, and lively discussion, the day exemplified what makes Maverick Mosaics Artful Journeys so memorable.
Our first destination was the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of sacred mosaic art. Covering more than 83,000 square feet, its dazzling mosaics represent one of the largest mosaic programs in the world and are among the finest examples of contemporary sacred art.
The highlight of our visit was an exclusive lecture by Dr. Geraldine (Gerri) Rohling, Archivist/Curator Emerita of the Basilica. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Rohling was responsible for preserving and interpreting the Basilica’s extensive collections, archives, artwork, and historical records. Her remarkable knowledge and personal stories offered our group rare insight into the Basilica’s architecture, artistic vision, and the generations of artisans who created this extraordinary landmark. Her knowledge of mosaic art included who the designers and fabricators were over the years, the factories making the materials, and so much more. Experiences like this—meeting with leading scholars and gaining behind-the-scenes perspectives—are what transform a visit into an unforgettable learning experience. Visiting the Basilica is worth a 4+ hour visit.
I always begin my visit on the lower level of the Basilica and the beautiful Crypt Church. There are 13 small chapels on the lower level, and each tells a unique story, celebrating the faith and cultural heritage of communities from around the world. One of my favorite chapels is the Our Lady of La Vang Chapel, honoring Vietnamese Catholics. The chapel’s mosaics are unlike any others in the Basilica; they are extraordinary! Created from incredibly tiny hand-set tesserae that produce remarkable detail and rich color, the mosaics tell two connected stories: the suffering of the Vietnamese Church and the hope offered through the Virgin Mary’s protection.
My personal favorite is a mosaic reproduction of the painting The Martyrs of Vietnam. It commemorates the estimated 130,000–300,000 Vietnamese Christians who were executed between 1630 and 1886 during successive waves of persecution. Among them are the 117 martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988. The mosaic serves as a visual memorial to generations of bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople who died for their faith.
The other mosaic honors the apparition of Our Lady of La Vang. According to Vietnamese Catholic tradition, during the persecutions of the late 18th century, Catholics fled into the forests of La Vang, where they secretly gathered to pray the Rosary. Mary appeared carrying the Christ Child, comforted the refugees, encouraged them to remain faithful, and showed them medicinal plants to treat their illnesses. This apparition became one of the most beloved Marian devotions among Vietnamese Catholics. The two large wall mosaic scenes are executed in smalti and designed by Pham Huy Thông. The work combines traditional Byzantine-inspired mosaic techniques with contemporary figurative composition, making it one of the Basilica’s finest modern mosaic chapels.
The Great Upper Church is the Basilica’s grand main sanctuary, where soaring arches and shimmering mosaics create an awe-inspiring sense of light and space. Above, five monumental mosaic domes depict key moments in salvation history, culminating in the magnificent Christ in Majesty mosaic in the North Apse. Together, the domes and glittering gold mosaics transform the architecture into a breathtaking expression of faith and one of the world’s finest examples of monumental contemporary mosaic art. There are eleven chapels generally lining the outer aisles surrounding the main nave. Every square inch of the Basilica is jaw-dropping! Learn more here.
We had a wonderful lunch break at Busboys and Poets, one of Washington’s most beloved gathering places for artists, writers, activists, and creative thinkers. A tasty meal and fabulous conversation about our morning.
Our afternoon continued at the magnificent Washington National Cathedral, one of America’s finest examples of Gothic architecture.
Here, I guided the group to the Resurrection Chapel. Together we admired the magnificent apse mosaic designed by Hildreth Meière, one of America’s most influential monumental artists- yep, a woman making her way in the mosaic business. The mosaic was installed in 1951! The chapel also features six narrative wall mosaics by Rowan and Irene LeCompte, depicting Christ’s appearances after the Resurrection. Lifelong artists at the Washington National Cathedral, the Lecompte’s are best known for creating many of the cathedral’s magnificent stained-glass windows, making these mosaics a rare example of their work in this medium.
Speaking of stained glass windows, the Cathedral collection includes the famous Space Window, which contains an actual fragment of moon rock brought back by the Apollo 11 mission—a fascinating intersection of science, history, faith, and art. Learn more here.
Our final stop immersed us in the timeless beauty of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, one of America’s finest examples of contemporary Byzantine-style sacred art.
Inspired by the great churches of Constantinople, the cathedral surrounds visitors with radiant gold mosaics, richly painted icons, marble, and intricate architectural details that celebrate centuries of Orthodox artistic tradition.
We were guided through the Cathedral by Victor Berio, the Church Sexton, and a longtime member of the congregation. He shared his extensive knowledge of Orthodox traditions and church protocol. We learned about the symbolism, craftsmanship, and techniques behind these magnificent mosaics, offering valuable insight into how Byzantine traditions continue to influence mosaic artists around the world today. Something Victor talked about that really stuck with me was the dome of gold smalti often seen in Greek Orthodox churches, which is deeply symbolic. Not intended as a display of wealth, but rather as a visual expression of heaven made present on earth. The worshipers feel enveloped and spiritually safe, which is very much in keeping with Orthodox theology. It was like being inside a golden cocoon.
Experiencing these works in their intended architectural and spiritual setting provides a perspective that photographs cannot capture.
A heartfelt thank you to the Mosaic Society of Philadelphia for trusting me to guide your day exploring Washington’s remarkable sacred sites. A special thanks to MSOP member Judy Styles, whose tireless work organizing our private coach, coordinating meals, managing logistics, and handling countless behind-the-scenes details made the day effortless for everyone. Your dedication helped create a truly memorable experience. Learn more here.
I look forward to sharing many more art-filled journeys with fellow mosaic enthusiasts in the years ahead,