A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
The Mission is 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona just off of Interstate 19. Take exit 92 (San Xavier Road) and follow signs to the Mission.
There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
I guess there was a celebration recently marked by the exploded firecracker casings in the square just in front of the mission.
The grounds are beautiful and there are many examples of native plants - mostly cactus. Some are colorful flat paddles with long needles like this prickly pear ...
... others are long and spindly like this Cholla Cactus...
... and some are tall and thin.
The mission tower that is full restored after a devastating earthquake it a brilliant white like most of the mission church white the second tower is still under reconstruction.
Not sure of the official name but I called this side chapel the Chapel of three bells...
... and it has a very interesting garden courtyard...
... filled with cactus and plenty of room for angels to dance...
... and for photographers and worshipers to tread.
I got Matt, Sierra and Ansley to pose in front of the church...
... before I went inside...
... for a few pictures of this colorful mission church.
There were intricate frescoes and adornments...
... and side alcoves with statues ...
... and religious murals.
There were multiple courtyards to take a picture...
... or just enjoy the simplicity and space...
... and beauty of this snow white center of worship.
The walkways and gates and stucco were amazing...
... and for a photographer a Shangri La no matter which way you look either outside...
...or inside...
... or through an opening in a wall...
... ore even the drain built into the walls.
I was never able to identify this cactus but it is definitely weird - maybe a Nose Cactus
Everywhere I looked I tried to get a picture...
... even the window bars at the gift shop were cool...
... and this crafted pot were wonderful...
... and the hill next to the mission with a white cross on top and lion statues just below made me feel good inside.
There were great walkways around the buildings...
... and more great looking cacti...
... and another built in drain.
There was a very nice museum at the mission also with beautiful smoothed stucco doorways...
... ancient hieroglyph reproductions...
... exceptional windows...
... and narrow passages...
... along with displays of 1880's decor.
I liked the model of the mission ...
... and the many devotional spots like this one of Our Lady of Guadalupe...
... and this simple shrine of a friar holding a dove...
... both of which were under the overhang of the rear courtyard.
I had a wonderful time enjoying the architecture, gardens and the roots of my Catholic upbringing.
After the visit to The White Dove it was time to take Isaac to Phoenix and his hotel and the next early morning takeoff to return home. I did get a message on my Phone he had arrived back home safe and sound. As we drove to Phoenix we passed Picacho peak.
"Picacho Peak, is visible from downtown Tucson, a distance of 45 miles. The summit rises to 3374 feet above mean sea level. Though appearing to be the remnant of a volcanic neck, it is now believed to be a tilted and eroded piece of rock overlain by a lava flow. The place name is redundant: "picacho" means "big peak" in Spanish."
Arizona cotton being harvested taken from the window of our rental car going 75 mph. Cotton? Arizona? Yes between Tucson and Phoenix.
"It turns out that the best cotton on Earth is not Egyptian, as thread-counting linen worshipers have believed for decades. No, the best cotton in the world is Supima, born on this field in Sacaton, on the Gila River Reservation, and now grown across the American Southwest. Ralph Lauren believes this and so should you."
No Scrabble
Quote of the Day
"Thank God I arrived the day before yesterday, the first of the month, at this port of San Diego, truly a fine one, and not without reason called famous." ~ Junipero Serra - Missionary
2 comments:
I love the nose cactus
It's called the Saint Juan Diego Chapel. I love this Church and try to get there every year. It's kind of a pilgramage for me. Thanks for the beautiful pictures. I will be linking to your blog from mine in order to share them with my readers.
Post a Comment