San Jose' y San Miguel de Aguayo

In the early 1700's the Spanish established 4 missions along the San Antonio River, each about 2 1/2 miles from each other.  The missions were administered by the Roman Catholic church with the intent of spreading Christianity to the local heathens.  They taught the local tribes agricultural and ranching techniques brought over from Europe.  The  walled enclosures also provided protection against raiding parties of Apaches.  The Spanish also hoped that the communities surrounding the missions would aid in their claim on the lands for Spain.

The first mission was established in 1718 and at that time it was called Mission San Antonio de Valero.  The more common name is the Alamo, which we saw a few days earlier.  Mission San Jose (full name noted in title above) was established in 1720 and we visited it on Saturday.  It is the largest structure and as was the case for all of these missions they were the social centre of a community surrounded by agricultural fields.

The restoration of these missions is very well done.  So well in fact that you often can't tell what is more or less original and what has been reconstructed.

The Mission is surrounded by stone walls with round turret like structures in the corners.  

Lori inside the corner structure
Holes at ground level and also one level above to allow for musket fire at invaders. 

Built into the walls were small living accommodations.  And I do mean small.
Indians who had decided to adapt their lifestyle often lived in these rooms.
They learned skills taught by the Franciscan Monks and participated in religious teachings.
The agricultural and ranching skills provided a regular and dependable source of food
and the stone walls provide protection. 

Each room included a small fireplace and out front was a stone oven for cooking. 

Some pretty elaborate stonework.
The Rose is the window in the lower centre
A close up below.  very detailed. 

Throw in a few Roman arches. 

There weren't a lot of tourists.
But sometimes I could only wait so long for them to get out of the shot. 

I can imagine this was a "happen'in" place back in the day. 

Rose window used by the Priest for special proclamations to the people

Check out the cactus growing on the roof to the right. 

What I didn't get a picture of was all of the young girls of Mexican/Spanish heritage who were getting their pictures taken.  They were dressed in what can best be described as Princess gowns, complete with Tierra's.  Many of them had their own professional photographers.  Turns out it was for their "fiesta de quinceanera".  It is basically a "coming of age" celebration for 15 year old girls.  In the Mexican and Spanish culture 15 is the age at which girls are considered old enough to assume adult responsibilities.  Similar to a "debutante" ball for the wealthy society people in England.

Thats it for Mission San Jose.  On to Mission Conception.