#sanjuanmission #californiamission #sanjuancapistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano is known as the Jewel of the California Missions. This mission was founded in 1776 as the 7th of 21 total missions found throughout the state. It was originally built as a self-sufficient community by the Spanish Padres and Native Americans. A visit to the mission offers a glimpse into its fascinating and tragic past. It now serves as a cultural and historical monument committed to celebrating and preserving the history of Orange County’s first people, the Acjacheman Native Americans. The Great Stone Church took close to a decade to build, and sadly was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, just 6 years after its completion. Four bells that hung in the church survived the quake and today hang in a wall that forms one of the missions most photographed backdrops. The Serra Chapel, was completed in 1782, and is the oldest standing building in California. It is also the only chapel still standing in which Father Serra said mass and performed baptismals. Walking around the grounds and gardens of Mission San Juan Capistrano is a relaxing way to spend a few hours in Orange County. No matter your age, you’ll find something of interest here. You’ll definitely want to do the audio tour as it really brings the stories of the mission to life. The miracle of the swallows migration from Argentina to San Juan Capistrano is celebrated here every year in March. If you’re into history, culture, and beautiful gardens, you’ll want to put Mission San Juan Capistrano on your list of things to do in Southern California.

Music: Obtained from the YouTube Audio Library
Fractal of Light (Chris Haugen)
Cantus Firmus Monks