Mission San Jose | San Antonio, Texas

Texas did not receive its first UNESCO World Heritage Site until 2015. The sheer amount of history and culture that embodies this state is remarkable, yet largely overlooked. With the exception of the Alamo, the historical sites of Texas are rarely visited by anyone other than Texans themselves. Even then I find myself guilty. Born and raised here in the Lone Star State I had never visited any of the San Antonio missions other than the Alamo. During a recent trip to San Antonio I had decided it was time to visit a part of Texas' first World Heritage Site. 

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is made up five Spanish missions scattered across  the city of San Antonio. They are Mission Valero (the Alamo), Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Francisco de la Espada, and Mission San Jose. The purpose of these missions were colonization. The Spanish had claimed the land that would later be called Texas in the name of Christianity. Although the main goal of the missions was to convert the local people to Catholicism, the missions were also a safe haven. With the threat of Europeans looming on all sides, the Texas frontier had become a dangerous place. The San Antonio missions became communities that would later shape the idea of Texas itself. 

On this hot summer day I only had time for one mission, so I chose Mission San Jose. Founded in 1720, the original church still stands today. I was lucky enough to visit while a mass was in progress. Yes, it is still a functioning Catholic Church to this day. It reminded me just how different historical churches in America are to their European counterparts. 

The whole mission grounds were incredible. Especially if the only mission you have visited is the tiny Alamo. Spreading over acres, it was easy to imagine the thriving community that once called Mission San Jose home. 

I'm hoping I'll get the chance to visit the rest of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park soon enough. Texas is so large that many people are born and raised within the state without even visiting the majority of it. There is so much history in my own backyard that I am just beginning to explore. 

xoxo

Christ Church Cathedral | Dublin, Ireland

Who loves afternoon strolls through thousand year old churches? This girl does!

During my trip to Ireland I spent a fair bit of time walking past Christ Church Cathedral. Located between our AirBnB and Temple Bar, Christ Church was the most prominent landmark I would pass. It was a couple days into my trip before I decided to actually buy tickets. As much as I love exploring European Churches (you can see more of my adventures here and here), I'm not always willing to pay. However, I decided to sacrifice a couple of euros in the name of history!

Christ Church Cathedral is unique in several ways. For starters, it was largely restored and expanded by the Victorians. Much of what you see today is Victorian handiwork. However, the church's history dates back to 1030 after King Sihtrygg Silkbeard (real name, I swear) went on a pilgrimage to Rome. The church was stripped of many of its belongings during the reign of Henry VIII, however most of these items were restored thanks to Mary I.

Christ Church Cathedral is also home to one of the largest crypts in both Ireland and the UK. While it has been largely renovated unlike Gloucester Cathedral's famous crypt, this crypt is home to some fascinating pieces of sculpture that are kept underground for safe storage. 

The famous "Cat & Rat" who became mummified after climbing into the cathedral's organ.

What are some of your favorite churches in Europe?

xoxo

4 Must-See Churches in Bristol, England

Bristol is home to a lot of attractions. From ships to suspension bridges, its easy to get overwhelmed by the amount to see in this vibrant city. One of my favorite things to do in any new city I visit is spend time in its churches. Churches can tell you a lot about the city's history: the way the city was once laid out, the popular architecture of the time, even how large the city was hundreds of years ago! 

If you ever have the chance to visit Bristol, here are 4 must-see churches! Not only pretty, they are also are the most historically significant building in the city!

1 | BRISTOL CATHEDRAL

Admission: Free

Time Suggested: 2 Hours

Must See & Why: Eastern Lady Chapel as it is painted to reflect the medieval tradition of how churches looked.

My Post: To see a previous post on Bristol Cathedral, click here

2 | ST. MARY REDCLIFFE

Admission: Free

Time Suggested: 2 Hours

Must See & Why: The Lady Chapel, as it is a beautiful place to sit and admire.

My Post: To see a previous post on St. Mary Redcliffe, click here

3 | TEMPLE CHURCH

Admission: Free

Time Suggested: 1 Hour

Must See & Why: The surrounding gardens, as you can not actually enter this ruined church.

My Post: To see a previous post on Temple Church, click here

4 | St. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Admission: Free

Time Suggested: 45 Minutes

Must See & Why: The crypt, which is home to some of Bristol's most important tombs.

My Post: To see a previous post on St. John the Baptist, click here

Further Advice: This church is not open on a regular basis. Best to call ahead and ask when it will be open. 

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Lacock Abbey

Although Lacock is one of the most beautiful villages in all of England, it doesn't take long to visit almost every inch of it. If you plan an entire day out in Lacock you might be straining yourself for things to do. However, any trip to Lacock is not complete until you've visited the vast grounds of Lacock Abbey. 

Lacock is home to one of the most interesting abbeys I have visited in England. Looking more like an estate rather than a religious institution, Lacock Abbey has a very unique history. Founded in 1229 by the Countess of Salisbury as a tribute to her deceased husband, Lacock Abbey was built to be a nunnery. During Henry VIII's dissolution of religious institutions, he found Lacock to be too small to pose any sort of threat. He left the abbey alone, asking Sir William Sharington, the owner of the property at the time, to destroy only the chapel. Since then, the abbey has been used as an estate for many noble families, the Talbots being the most prominent in its recent history. In 1835, William Henry Fox Talbot used the abbey as the setting of the very first photographic negative. Today, the abbey is a National Trust property, the grounds stretching for as far as you can see. It has been used as the set for most Harry Potter movies as well as the Other Boleyn Girl (which I find to be terribly amusing and ironic). 

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo