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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.58mi
Map Pin
S. Frio & Guadalupe, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Welcome to the West Side
Welcome to the Westside of San Antonio!
San Antonio sees over 30 million visitors annually yet only a small fraction of them come to the Westside to see the murals. There is not a lot of publicity about them, yet this neighborhood or barrio has the largest concentration in our city. This area is rich in culture and tradition, yet it is filled with poverty. In 2020, The San Antonio Express News stated that the median annual income for a family of four here is $21,600. Residents of the federal housing projects live on less than half that.
As you cross over the bridge you see a sign that reads Bienvenidos al Westside. This is actually the first two of a series of five murals, completed in 2014, that not only welcomes you to the westside, but depicts life here as well. This and most of the murals we will see today were created under the guidance of San Anto Cultural Arts, a community program established in the 1990s by three men in their early 20s with a goal of bringing this shattered neighborhood together through art. Partnering with the San Antonio Housing Authority, kids from several of the federal housing projects worked closely with San Anto artists in the design and painting on this massive project
Just beyond the mural, you will see the fence lined with photographs, a project sponsored by Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Residents meet periodically to share stories and old photos of the westside. These photos, digitally scanned, are used to create these ever-changing photohistoria banners to keep alive the spirit and history of this barrio.
You will pull over to the right just ahead.


Lead Artist: Kaylee Diaz
2014

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Place #2
Distance: 0.11mi
Map Pin
1301 Guadalupe St, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
La Veladora de la Virgin De Guadalupe
Pull over to your right up ahead and I want to show you one of my very favorite mosaic murals. It’s called La Veladora, which is the kind of decorated votive candles that you see in many Catholic churches. It is done in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most important figures in Catholicism in this area. We will talk more about her later.
The artist, Jessie Trevino, grew up in this barrio. Recognized as a prodigy in his youth, his career path was altered forever with the explosion of a booby-trap in Viet-Nam that mutilated his painting arm. After a lengthy rehabilitation period and with sheer determination, he taught himself to paint with his other hand. Eventually, two of his paintings would find a permanent home in the Smithsonian Art Collection.
The idea for this mural came after the 911 attacks when he felt the nation could use some comfort and he chose to start right here. This location, which he described as the Grand Central Station of the West Side when he was a kid, had become a dark and deserted testament to the violence that had swallowed up his barrio. This was his attempt to give new light and comfort to the people who live here


Artist Jesse Trevino's gift to his barrio
2003
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Welcome to the West Side
Map Pin Place 2 La Veladora de la Virgin De Guadalupe
Map Pin Place 3 Comprando y Prestando
Map Pin Place 4 Avance Contributions
Map Pin Place 5 8 Stages in the Life of a Chicana
Map Pin Place 6 Trinity Street
Map Pin Place 7 Cultura y Revolucion, Peace and Rememberance
Map Pin Place 8 Virgin of Guadalupe
Map Pin Place 9 Educacion, Tradicion y Cultura
Map Pin Place 10 Salvacion
Map Pin Place 11 Father Carmelo Tranchese
Map Pin Place 12 Dualidad
Map Pin Place 13 Familia y Cultura es Vida
Map Pin Place 14 Poder de Muralismo: Cuentros San Arte



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  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 14 stops, covering top attractions such as Welcome to the West Side, La Veladora de la Virgin De Guadalupe, Comprando y Prestando, Avance Contributions, 8 Stages in the Life of a Chicana.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Welcome to the West Side (Address: S. Frio & Guadalupe, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
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The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
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Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!