Carrying on with 'Thing' #6, our next stop was the very first California Mission, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alacala, founded on July 16, 1769. I would say that I was most surprised by this mission because of its location. Originally in Presidio Park in San Diego, it was moved by Father Junipera Serra to this new location. Over the last 242 years, life has 'sprung up' around it - mini-marts, shopping malls, apartment housing and stadiums. In fact, I almost missed it because I expected it to be a bit more by itself.
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| The plaque of San Diego de Alcala, est. July 16, 1769 |
Nonetheless, it was incredible to see two very different missions in one day, and to understand that the evolution that it occured with the creation of each new mission. In addition, this mission (which also had fallen in disrepair) had been rebuilt and restructured multiple times, so while maintaining its authenticity and originality had been attempted, it can't be said that it was original in its entirety.
Besides being the first of twenty-one missions (known as the "Mother of the Missions"), Mission San Diego de Alacala was also the first site at which a Padre was martyred/murdered. Padre Jayme was killed when the mission was first attacked by Indians in 1775.
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| San Diego de Alcala, California Mission #1 |
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| Sitting on the front steps of history. |
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| Inside the Sanctuary facing the Alter. Apparently there are Padres buried under the alter. |
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| The Campanario - where the bells are stored and rung. Some of the bells weigh over 800 pounds. |
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| The 21 Calfornia Missions - wish it would be THIS easy to see them all. |
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| Inside an Ewaa - a replica of a house typically lived in by the Kumeyaay Indians |
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| A front view of 'The Facade' - Mission San Diego de Alcala, California Mission #1 |
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