San Antonio Historic Sites & Interpretive Centres
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Historic Sites & Interpretive Centres in San Antonio, Texas.
Mission Espada is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Espada appears as remote today as it did when it was founded in 1731, when it was moved from its first located near Weches, TX. It boasts the a preserved segment of the historic acequias (the irrigation system designed to provide water for crops), part of which includes the still working Espada dam and aqueduct.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four Spanish missionaries—Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion—all founded in the 1700s. Spanning approximately 820 acres of land, visitors can follow a trail leading them from mission to mission, with areas for sightseeing, picnicking, hiking, biking and birdwatching. The park is open year found from 9am to 5pm.
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1716, moving to San Antonio is 1731. Designed to be a self-sufficient community, San Juan maintained gardens and orchards for food, made an irrigation ditch and dam, and housed Indian artisans who made tools and clothes. Construction of a larger church began in the late 1700s, but was abandoned when the population declined.
Part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the Mission Concepcion looks essentially as it did 200 years ago. From 1731, religious festivals were held here. Remnants of wall and ceiling paintings in the surviving rooms of the mission's convent have been conserved.
The Alamo is a famous mission and landmark in San Antonio where 189 defenders held out for 13 days against the centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Since this time it has become a symbol of Texas and American independence and fortitude. It is possible to take a walking tour of this historic site.
Founded in 1720, Mission San José continues to hold church services and welcomes visitors to attend mass on Sundays. The building is situated on the banks of the San Antonio River and once housed missionaries. Buildings on the mission grounds include the Grape Arbor (Spanish Quarters), a granary and Indian quarters, as well as detailed works such as the wood carvings on the church entrance, sculptures and the Rose Window.
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