The beautiful architecture and unique history of the San Antonio missions make them all worth visiting. I didn’t expect to learn so much about American western history, but I did, and I’m better for it. The history of these sites wasn’t entirely what I believed.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a National Historical Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the San Antonio Missions in Texas.

They say you can ride a bike between the missions, and I suppose you can, though you’d better be prepared for a long day. I thought I would rent and ride a bike, and I’m happy I didn’t. Even driving between the missions ended up taking me an entire afternoon.

History of the Five San Antonio Missions

In the early 1700s, the indigenous people of South Texas were nomadic hunter-gatherers who constantly fought for survival against the elements, lack of water, food supply and each other. European kings saw this as an opportunity.

The kings sent Franciscan friars’ established churches and large plots of land and recruited American Indians to live there. It is called Cross and Crown Spanish colonialism. It became the foundation of San Antonio Missions.

The missionaries’ pitch was that they would provide stable food, shelter and safety in exchange for conversion to Catholicism, work at the mission, and adherence to the rules.

“The Franciscan friars’ objective was to convert the indigenous people into Catholic, tax-paying subjects of the King of Spain.”

– information provided at Mission San Jose

The San Antonio Missions had success for many years before eventually becoming defunct. Essentially, the people became wiser and didn’t want Spanish rule, many died, and finally, the missions were abandoned.

Today, you tour each of the remaining missions and go inside and tour the grounds to see what life was like for those who lived there.

Mission Concepción

The Mission Concepción is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. The church is open for visitors and still holds weekly services. All of the missions do.

This mission is unique for its faded but still colorful frescos on the interior walls. If you only visit one mission, I would choose this one. It’s the biggest and has the most open rooms and art.

Pro Tip: Check out the water-powered grain mill behind the church.

Find it at: 807 Mission Road, San Antonio, Texas.

Mission San Jose

This limestone Spanish colonial Baroque church is known as the “Queen of the Missions.” It’s the biggest, and in the 1930s, it was completely restored. San Jose has the most exciting architecture with a series of arches and elaborate designs. See the legendary “Rose Window” above an ornate entry door and leave with your jaw unhinged.

Pro Tip: Stop in the little gift shop on the far wall. They have handcrafted items for sale to support the mission and a much-needed cold drink.

Find it at 6701 San José Drive, San Antonio, Texas.

Mission San Juan

The white facade of this mission makes it stand out in my memory against the others, though it was the most desolate among them. The church interior was rustic and beautiful in a simple way with a stone floor, dark wooden-beamed ceiling, and a few windows in white plaster walls.

Pro Tip: Behind it is a wooded walkway you can take through a densely covered path along the dry River Walk.

Find it at 9101 Graf Road, San Antonio, Texas.

Mission Espada

I loved the look of Mission Espada the best. There is something about the symmetry of three bells in arched windows of a belltower that delights me.

This mission, founded in 1690, is the oldest in Texas. It was hard to get to. I got turned around in my attempts. I nearly gave up, and I’m glad I didn’t because it was lovely. There are flower pots filled with colorful flowers amid the old stone walkways and a nearby aqueduct – which powered much of the area.

Sadly, the church and the little gift shop were closed when I visited.

Pro Tip: Take the time to walk the grounds of this mission and explore the unique lilies and other flowers. There were several varieties you won’t see elsewhere.

Find it at 10040 Espada Road, San Antonio, Texas.

Remember The Alamo

Pee-Wee Herman first taught me about The Alamo when he went on his Big Adventure and learned about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo.

Indeed, it is the most well-known and revered of all the missions for its unique history. While I was often the only person touring the grounds of the other missions, at the Alamo, in the heart of downtown San Antonio, crowds of people were milling about and waiting to be allowed inside the church.

Though free, you need a timed ticket to enter the church here, and you must arrive early in the morning to secure one – and I was not so fortunate. So, I toured the grounds, read the signs, and visited the immense gift shops. This mission, unlike the others, is a tourist destination first and foremost.

The Alamo’s history is fascinating – the only mission used as barricades for various armies in different wars. But, the best of its history is held in words: Remember the Alamo. It was a bold reminder, essentially, to always fight for freedom.

Pro Tip: Secure your tickets in advance – even on weekdays – if you want to go inside the church.

Find it at 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas.

Visiting San Antonio Missions

For the most part, the San Antonio Missions were small, self-sustaining communities where people would conduct the entirety of their lives. I guess it’s not so different from what most of us do now, except now we focus on location over community mostly, but we rarely stray far from our predetermined land.

If you go, have someone help you with the navigation. I got lost twice and had to backtrack my path, returning to missions I’d already visited and bypassing others. If you decide to take the bike path, know that portions of it on are the streets.

They are free to visit and hours of operation vary, so check before you go.

Read more stories about Texas here.

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