For 13 years, until his death in 2013, Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón covered the long stairway that formed the street in front of his house with a mosaic of colorful ceramics and glass fragments. Broken tiles and pottery, mirrors, and colored glass were worked into exuberant designs that largely feature the colors of the Brazilian flag.

Selarón called this “my tribute to the Brazilian people,” and as the work grew year by year, people began bringing him shards to incorporate. First these were from his Santa Tereza neighbors, then as the fame of the stairway spread, contributions came from all over the world. Now more than 60 countries are represented in the 250 colorful steps.