removed all of the old plaster. Then, working in a manner reminiscent of their artistic forebearers in Ravenna, they hand-set the handmade Venetian glass tiles throughout the project. Given the deli- cate nature of the tiles – and of the setting – through their work, the Rugo crew returned to the classic past. To complete the com- plex design of gold and glass tile, installers laid on their backs to indi- vidually place each tiny tile. Only a handful of contractors in the United States are capable of completing such a proj- ect – especially given the fact that the Trinity Dome project is one of the larg- est mosaics of its kind in the world – and the tile had to be hand-set. But the crew from Rugo Stone knew the enormity of the task. They had pre- viously completed mosa- ics in three other smaller domes on the property. And now, thanks to these craftsmen in conjunction with MAPEI, the basilica’s dome is a golden, glitter- ing heaven in celebration of the National Shrine’s 100th anniversary. FEATURE: MAPEI mortar brings life to National Shrine's mosaic dome The center aisle entrance of the Basilica TileLetter | January 2019 45