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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
History & Culture
 
Entrance gate into Mission Espada
Entrance gate into Mission Espada

In order to better understand what these walled, medieval communities were like, it is important to first learn about five important factors of the missions: the people, the church, farming, ranching, and caminos reals. Start your journey by clicking on the highlights shown to the right.

Links found on this page take you to research, management documents, and general information on the history and culture springing from the San Antonio Missions.

 
The Mission Frontier
The Mission Frontier
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Church and State on the Frontier
Church and State on the Frontier
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to San Antonio Missions, their Beginnings
San Antonio Missions, their Beginnings
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Mission Communities
Mission Communities
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Ruins of a home at Mission Espada  

Did You Know?
that Spanish missions were not churches? They were Indian towns, with the church as the focus, where, in the 1700s, the native people were learning to become Spanish citizens. In order to become a citizen, they had to be Catholic; that is why the King of Spain sent missionaries to acculturate them.

Last Updated: January 29, 2009 at 11:33 EST