Mission San Jose the Queen of Missions |
San Antonio is home 5 missions that date back to the mid
1700's. The missions were not just churches but centers of community. They were
established by Spanish colonialists in a
line along the San Antonio River as the Spaniards explored north and east of
what is now Mexico in search of new world riches. The missions were meant to
spread the Catholic faith which served as the basis of Spanish colonial
society.
Mission San Antonio de Valero was founded on the San Antonio
river in 1718. It is more commonly called the Alamo.
Mission San Juan Capistrano |
Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo is known as the queen
of the missions. It's large church like
architecture and massive stone walls made it an imposing structure that
discouraged attacks.
Mission Concepcion |
The missions were originally un-walled communities built of
wood and adobe. They were later enclosed
by stone walls as a means of protection against northern Apache and Comanche
raids. Mission community life was planned like the life of a Spanish village. Residents were taught farming, ranching,
architecture, carpentry, stone masonry and blacksmithing skills. Loom weaving
and spinning techniques were honed.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada |
Each mission was meant to be self sufficient and to
establish its own economy. The Franciscan missionaries assimilated the
Coahuiltecan people whose hunter-gatherer way of life had been threatened by
famine and diseases that were imported by the explorers themselves. Many Coahuiltecan
opted for protection and a stable environment
in which to raise their families. They
adopted Catholic Christianity and created a unique society that combined Spanish
Catholicism and American Indian Culture.
Aqueduct on the San Antonio River between the missions |
The river was central to mission life. Water was diverted to
irrigate crops with a series of dams, aqueducts and gravity flow ditch systems called Acequias
that are still in use today.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visits to San Antonio's missions.
They are preserved and currently administered as part of the National Parks
System. The missions are open to the public and the tiny churches at the
missions have active congregations many of whom are mission descendents.
It is possible to drive to each mission separately and there
is plenty of parking.
The missions are also connected by San Antonio's river walk.
We visited on two days and were able to walk and bike the trail without
difficulty. It was a beautiful way to
see the missions and to view the farm land around them.
To see more photos of our Mission visit go to our Flickr album.
San Antonio Missions
National Historic Park
2202 Roosevelt Ave
San Antonio, TX 78210
(210) 932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan
Doors at Mission San Jose |
Great post, Bonnie! There is so much history in San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim and Diana. We really enjoyed the area and plan to return. San Antonio is a great place for people that love history and enjoy an active lifestyle.
ReplyDelete