This is—quite obviously, I hope—a website devoted to nature photography.  So why are photographs of a park focused on a small segment of U. S. human history on the site?  I suppose the answer is simply that, on a business trip to San Antonio a few years ago, I became intrigued by the restored Spanish missions—all still functioning as active Catholic parishes—of SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.  This park preserves four of five frontier missions established in the late 1600s to early 1700s in and around San Antonio.  The fifth mission—the far better known Alamo—is not part of the park, but is owned by the state of Texas and operated as a commercial venue by Daughters of the Republic of Texas.  Being commercialized, as well as being located in a commercial section of the city, the Alamo is far less interesting to me—and far less photogenic, as well—than the four restored missions. 

The San Antonio missions were part of a chain of such enclaves established by the Spanish across southern Texas in the 18th century.  Tales of riches enticed early Spanish explorers northward from “New Spain” (present-day Mexico).  By the 17th century, the explorers were encountering the Tejas Indians for whom Texas is named.  With dreams of wealth fading, the Spanish began to concentrate on spreading the Catholic faith, which formed the basis of Spanish society, to the frontier Indians.  The Franciscan missions served both church and state, functioning as the vanguard of spiritual conversion of the Indians as well as the spearhead of northward expansion of the Spanish empire in the new world.  To the converted Indians, the missions served as safe sanctuary from their enemies.

The missions were originally built as un-walled communities of wood or adobe.  Later, because of tensions between the northern Indian tribes and mission occupants, stone walls were constructed encircling the missions.  In addition to the historical significance and continuing vibrant activity of the missions, the Spanish colonial architecture is of interest.  Arches and towers, stonework and ornate windows—all contribute to an interesting photographic experience. 

Images of three of the four missions in the park are presented here:  Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, and Mission Espada.  The fourth, Mission San Juan, is generally less ornate than its three sister missions.