Mission San Diego de Alcala is considered one of the first Franciscan missions in California. It was added to the list of historical sites in the United States. It was named after Saint Didak of Alcala, also known socially as San Diego.
History of creation
In the late 1760s, Friar Junipero Serra founded a mission on the land of modern San Diego. The Kumeyaai tribe used to live in this area. The first burial in Upper California took place here. The archives indicate that the Mission San Diego de Alcala was destroyed in 1775 as a result of a fire during a popular uprising. Historians also say that the first public execution in the region took place in this place.
The San Diego de Alcala Mission was rebuilt, it was confiscated in 1834, and in 1846 it was given over to government needs. After the annexation of California to the states of America, the mission was used by the army until 1862. The 16th President of America, Abraham Lincoln, returned the mission to the faithful, and it began to be slowly restored. Since 1941, the mission began to serve as a parish church, and in 1976 it was officially granted the status of a minor basilica.
Short description
The location of the San Diego de Alcala Mission has been declared a California Historical Monument. The current church is recognized as the 5th in this place, it was opened in the 19th century. Buried under the altar floor is the first Christian California martyr, Father Luis Antonio Jaime, who tragically died in the uprising.
Today, the mission continues to operate as a parish church, but now it is also a cultural center for representatives of all faiths. Masses are held daily, and guided tours are organized on weekdays. In the souvenir shop, visitors can get a free guide to the works of art located in the church, including paintings and sculptures from the 15th century and other later periods. Here you can see a variety of ceramic objects, handicraft samples, clothes, antique photographs and even weapons discovered during archaeological excavations. Interactive compositions have been installed, allowing visitors to make an exciting virtual journey into the past.
A small chapel has also been installed on the territory of the San Diego de Alcala Mission, but it is not part of it. It was built to house choirs dating back to 1400, which were donated in the 1970s along with the altar table. If you look closely, you can see that they are decorated with images of plants and animals, heraldic symbols. Before leaving, it is recommended to stay in the garden for meditation in the shade of palm trees. A special atmosphere has been created here, encouraging you to reflect on life and solve problems.
How to get
The landmark is located near the intersection of Interstate 8 and Interstate 15, near the Qualcomm Stadium. If you leave downtown San Diego by taxi or rented car, the trip will take about 15 minutes. Please note that carsharing services in the United States have been available since the age of 21. There are no direct bus routes, and a green tram line runs near the San Diego de Alcala Mission. By public transport, you need to go to the Mission San Diego stop, and then go outside and walk a few blocks.
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