SAN JOSE MISSION

In its prime, San Jose was the "queen of the missions" -- one the most grand and important missions in the New World. An important location for a key scene in STILL BREATHING, the famous "Rose Window" that Fletcher shows to Roz in the film is hidden in this old postcard view. The story Fletcher tells in the film is an accurate retelling of the local legend, although the truth is too far buried in the past to be known for sure. We do know that the window was carved by an artisan named Pedro Huizar. The legend states that he carved the window for many, many years in tribute to his lost love, Rosa, although the legend varies as to whether she was left behind in Spain or died in Texas as a young bride. Whatever the truth, the window has a magical, romantic spell about it, and the scene at the site in STILL BREATHING is an audience favorite. The cactus and yucca in this view are long gone, and the site is now protected by the National Park Service. Like all the missions (except the Alamo) it is an active Catholic Parish and is famous for its "mariachi mass."