San Juan Capistrano

Images of San Juan Capistrano, including Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Jewel of the Missions. San Juan Capistrano is the oldest town in Orange County and in addition to the Mission is best known for the story of the swallows return.

Architectural detail of the ruins of The Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of 21 California Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra. Renowned Mexican architect and stonemason Isidoro Aguílar designed the church and supervised the Ahachamai (Juaneno) Indians who built it. Laid out in the shape of a cross, it had a dome with six vaults and a campanile (bell tower) 37 meters high. Construction of the Great Stone Church began in 1797, and reportedly required the participation of the entire Ahachamai labor force. Finished in 1806, the church was the largest and most beautiful church on the West Coast of California, and earned the Mission the nickname The Jewel of the Missions. The Great Stone Church was destroyed in an earthquake which also took the lives of 40 natives, including two young boys who were ringing the bells, in 1812. Restoration work began in 1987 to prevent further damage to the beautiful ruins. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a registered Historic Landmark and designated as a National Historic Treasure.

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Architectural detail of the ruins of The Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of 21 California Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra. Renowned Mexican architect and stonemason Isidoro Aguílar designed the church and supervised the Ahachamai (Juaneno) Indians who built it. Laid out in the shape of a cross, it had a dome with six vaults and a campanile (bell tower) 37 meters high. Construction of the Great Stone Church began in 1797, and reportedly required the participation of the entire Ahachamai labor force. Finished in 1806, the church was the largest and most beautiful church on the West Coast of California, and earned the Mission the nickname The Jewel of the Missions. The Great Stone Church was destroyed in an earthquake which also took the lives of 40 natives, including two young boys who were ringing the bells, in 1812. Restoration work began in 1987 to prevent further damage to the beautiful ruins. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a registered Historic Landmark and designated as a National Historic Treasure.

Mission San Juan Capistrano mission California Mission Jewel of the Missions Great Stone Church church stone architecture building ruins collapse earthquake damaged damage religion religious history historical Serra landmark treasure restoration structure tourism travel worship Christianity 8359

San Juan Capistrano

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