San Antonio Missions

In 1718 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located along the San Antonio River. The missions’ purpose? To acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens.

The four missions in this gallery comprise the San Antonio Missions National Park. The fifth mission, Mission San Antonio de Valero--the Alamo -- is a state historic site under the stewardship of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and serves primarily as a reminder of the Texas Revolution of 1835-36.