![]() The mission was established after the death of Father Serra, whose life-size statue remains a beloved landmark for many visitors. Dubbed the “Mission along the High way,” San Miguel el Arc ángel was perhaps the most visible of the missions due to its unique location. Mission San Miguel el Arc ángel, the 16th of its kind, was built overlooking El Camino Real in 1769. Mission San Juan Capistrano is also believed to have launched California’s wine industry with its first vineyard planted in 1779. Despite some speculations of paranormal activity, the haunting ruins forever stand as a testament to the mission’s perseverance. Some believe the church is still home to a ghost named Magdalena who was killed in the wreckage. Dubbed the “American Acropolis,” the church fell victim to a tragic earthquake that claimed the lives of 42 parishioners. When you arrive, light a candle and admire the beauty of the oldest California building still in use.Ĭompleted in 1906, the Great Stone Church is among the most breathtaking chapels on the West Coast. Serra Chapel-where the Spanish missionary often performed mass-is the only working part of the mission today. When you arrive, a free audio tour guides you through an area filled with fragrant gardens, koi ponds, and stunning relics.įounded by Father Serra on November 1, 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was the seventh of its kind to be established along El Camino Real. ![]() Located an hour south of Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano is a charming walking town with a mission visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year. Located on Missions Avenue in Oceanside, San Luis Rey de Francia is also home to California’s first pepper tree, which was planted in 1803. Today, San Luis Rey de Francia holds one of the largest collections of Mexican art from its era of colonization. After the mission system collapsed, a lot of the artwork was transported to this mission. Out of California's 21 missions, San Luis Rey de Francia is perhaps the most historic. When it was built, the mission was one of the largest outposts, covering a thousand-plus square miles in Riverside and San Diego counties. With all its walls and structures still intact, this mission stands proud as a treasured token of Alta California's cultural heritage.įounded in 1798 by Father Fermin Lauser, this cross-shaped adobe building combines elements of Spanish, Mexican, and Moorish architecture. Known as the “King of Missions,” Mission San Luis Rey de Francia extends over six acres and is perched on a hill overlooking San Diego. Whether you’re a devout Catholic or simply interested in history, this outstanding landmark will offer you a rare and captivating glimpse at life in Alta California. San Diego de Alcalá remains an active Catholic Church, with Sunday masses held both in English and Spanish. Every July, all five bells are rung in unison to celebrate the mission’s anniversary. The five-bell campanario-once used to signal times of prayer, work, and dining-is still intact. There’s also a museum containing Father Serra’s original crucifix and baptismal documents, along with robes and Indian artifacts from local villagers. There’s a lovely flower-filled meditation garden on-site as well as a fountain by the central cistern. Along the corridor, a series of statues stand in tribute to the 21 Southern California missions and their leaders. Today, the mission's original monastery is one of it's main highlights. ![]()
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