July 5 was a big day for San Antonio, Texas, and history lovers the world over when San Antonio Missions was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The decision was announced at the annual UNESCO World Heritage committee meeting in Bonn, Germany.
The five Missions, including The Alamo, became the 23rd UNESCO site in the United States and the first in Texas. The Missions are the largest collection of the Spanish colonial architecture in the nation and “symbolize an era when the world was expanding, cultures were intertwining and the global landscape was forever changed,” according to the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The United States has a powerful and valuable history that encompasses a wide range of peoples, creeds and experiences,” says Crystal Nix-Hines, U.S. ambassador and permanent representative to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. “The San Antonio Missions represent an important element of our story, and a World Heritage designation allows them to be shared not only within the U.S. but also the wider global community.”
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña, San Antonio
History of the Missions
Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, Mission Espada and Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) were built in the early 1700s to convert Native Americans to Christianity and help settle this region under the Spanish flag.
Mission San Antonio de Valero, also known as The Alamo
Straddling both sides of the San Antonio River, the missions are situated close to one another, spanning just more than seven miles. They proved critical to Texas’ iconic history and heritage, shaping the San Antonio landscape. Indigenous people and people from around the empire of New Spain were brought together to share technologies, art and cultures. The Missions continued to play an important role in early Mexican history and in the struggle for Texas independence.
Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, San Antonio
Today the missions host millions of visitors every year. All except The Alamo are active Catholic parishes, some with descendants of the original congregants.
For more information visit these websites:
San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
