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in Our Blog· Sweet Spot· Travel

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

Front of bell tower at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

One of the things on my “bucket list” is to visit all 21 missions up the coast of California.  I first visited Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala (aka Mission San Diego de Alcala) in the mid-’70’s, when I moved to San Diego.  During that first visit, I learned about the California Mission system – because while born in California, I was not raised in California, but rather was raised in the South and learning about California’s history wasn’t something we covered in school.

Side view of bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

In those earlier years, learning that Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was the first mission built in the California mission system, piqued my curiosity about the rest of the California missions.  And while years have passed and I’ve yet to see them all, I’ve visited this one many, many times.

Top of bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

The first California mission in the California Mission System, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was built in 1769 under the leadership of Friar Junipero Serra, a Catholic priest of the Franciscan order.  All-in-all, Fr. Serra founded 9 of the 21 California missions before passing away at the age of 70.

Canonized as a Saint by Pope Francis on September 23rd of this year (2015), today Saint Serra is a controversial figure blamed for the enslavement of the native Indian population into forced labor camps in support of the mission system and the suppression of the native Indian culture during this secularization period in California’s history.

Franciscans picture at Mission San Diego de Alcala

However his influence is viewed, there is no doubt that Saint Serra played an integral and substantive role in the founding of California.

On a recent “ho-hum” day in San Diego (what we natives call days of endless blue skies), Charlie and I revisited Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.  On the day we were there, a wedding was taking place, so we were thoughtful and mindful of our intrusion, but I was able to take some beautiful pictures anyway (trying to not infringe on the guests and other visitors by not including them in these photos!).  Here’s a collection of photos from the day:

El Camino Real bells at Mission San Diego de Alcala

El Camino Real bells marking the beginning of El Camino Real aka The Royal Road aka The King’s Highway, the 600-mile road connecting the 21 missions and many sub-missions, presidios and pueblos between Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala in Southern California and Mission San Francisco Solana in Sonoma in Northern California.

El Camino Real bell at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Close-up of one of the El Camino Real bells at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Looking up at bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Looking up at the front of the bell tower at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Bell in bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Close-up of bell in the bell tower.

Front walkway at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

Front portico and walkway.

Altar at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Interior altar (taken up close so as not to show the guests and visitors lingering in the pews after the wedding ceremony).

Interior chapel window at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Interior chapel window at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Statute of Jesus at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Statue of Jesus inside the chapel.

Walkway interior courtyard at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Walkway in interior courtyard.

Fountain in courtyard at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Fountain in interior courtyard.

Fountain at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Close-up of interior fountain at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

The Pieta at Mission Basilica San Diego de Acala

The Pieta, a life-size sculpture in the interior courtyard of Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Close-up The Pieta at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Close-up of The Pieta.

Close-up of Joseph's face in The Pieta at Mission San Diego

Close-up of Joseph’s face in The Pieta.

Archaeological dig at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Archaeological dig in courtyard at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Metates at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Metates (mealing stones for grinding grain and seeds) on display.

Ewaa hut at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Example of an Ewaa hut.

Dodo Bird Topiary at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Dodo bird topiary in courtyard near archaeological site – the landscape gardeners at the Mission have a wry sense of humor!

Back view of Dodo Bird Topiary at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Back side of Dodo bird, just in case you had any doubt!

Mission Bell in Museum at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Mission Bell on display inside the museum at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Back side of bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Back side of bell tower from interior courtyard.

Stairway to bell tower at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Stairway leading to bell tower.

Old grave cross at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Old cross – grave marker at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Father Serra at Mission San Diego de Alcala

Statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order, in the interior gardens at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Front view of Mission San Diego de Alcala

One last look at the front of the Mission.

Here are links to other posts about the California’s history:

Bell tower at Mission San Juan Capistrano 750x1121

Operation Swallow Adios (Mission San Juan Capistrano)

Mission San Antonio de Pala bell tower

San Antonio de Pala Mission

Santa Ysabel Asistencia

Santa Ysabel Asistencia:  A Tribute to a Bygone Mission

Presidio Park San Diego

Presidio Park:  A Monument to San Diego’s Historic Presidio

Tootles,

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Filed Under: Our Blog, Sweet Spot, Travel Tagged With: California Missions, San Diego, San Diego County

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About

I’m Carole, wife to Charlie (25+ years), mom to a boy named Coco, writer, storyteller, home chef, and recipe developer, budding photographer, occasional crafter who loves family and friends, parties and tablescapes, and all things blog. Join me as I COOK, CREATE, INSPIRE.

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