Texas - San Antonio missions eyed for World Heritage List

San Antonio missions eyed for World Heritage List (http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/travel/2012/06/san-antonio-missions-eyed-world-heritage-list/688106)

I have yet to visit San Antonio, but would certainly like to do so!

:)

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has authorized the nomination of San Antonio's historic Franciscan missions for nomination to the U.N. World Heritage List.

An Interior Department statement says the announcement Friday sets up the proposal by the National Park Service of the missions for nomination by the 21-nation World Heritage Committee. The committee will make its nominations to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Convention.

'bout time :rolleyes:

Yes they are interesting, and certainly part of history.

But comparing to some of the other FHS quite small, perhaps that's why they have been overlooked. I would not make a special trip, but since I was in the Alamo City I did go see a couple of them besides the Alamo.

EmailKid

Glad to see this. The Mission Trail is a very interesting attraction in SAT.

For those who are interested in a leisurely and easy day, best with a rental car, the Missions are rewarding, uncrowded and without the over-commercialization and fooferaw at several of of the heritage sites we've visited (although living near, I recommend choosing an October/May time frame, since the heat can be overwhelming at times).

The missions are far from "fancy", simply little settlements built upon the far outer fringe of Empire, at which the clergy, a handful of immigrants and not many converts scratched a marginal existence. They represent a far purer view of colonial history, and demonstrate from the their dates of establishment, just how long and how hard Spain (growing incalculably corrupt at home and in it colonies) and the Church continued to try to "grow" borders and successful settlements.

uncrowded and without the over-commercialization and fooferaw


Except of course the Alamo.:p

When I met friends in San Antonio a couple years ago, we received an amazing tour of the various San Antonio missions. The local friend who invited us got her relative who does volunteer work with the missions to give us a tour. So our little group set off on a small tour bus complete with adult refreshments. :D He was able to explain a lot to us that wasn't available on the signs and exhibits, but it was quite interesting even without his info. Prior to the visit, I didn't realize the true uses of the missions so it was quite illuminating for me.

We also got a private tour of the Alamo that evening. I don't know if they still do it, but the day we were there they had a living history exhibit on the grounds of the Alamo that was fascinating. Still, I learned a lot more from the visit to the other missions than from the Alamo.

Except of course the Alamo.:p

Well, the Alamo's not really on the "Mission Trail" long deconsecrated and abandoned, it's fame and fooferaw (and location in the midst of Downtown, although originally on the outskirts of the settlement) providing separate and iconic status. Right off hand, I can't recall, but don't two of the others continue in use as churches (although not parishes, IIRC).

The Alamo is owned, operated and administered by a local women's group, now in some internal turmoil, and "commercialization" at least on site, remains pretty minimal

Yes they continue as churches.