The Missions of San Antonio
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The 5 Missions of San Antonio were established in the early 1700s. The missions were founded by the Franciscan and Dominican fathers to convert the Indians to Christianity and to settle the land for the King of Spain. They were not set up to enslave the Indians but to make them loyal citizens of Spain.
They were taught how to farm and raise livestock as a community instead of living their native lifestyle. They also learned to speak Spanish instead of their native language. This is why all of Mexico speaks Spanish.
The missions were built like forts to protect the small communities from raiding bands of Apache and Comanche Indians who would try to steal the food and animals of the mission communities. Over each gate and along the walls you can see peep holes which the mission community Indians could shoot at the attacking Indians.
The defenders of the Alamo used the same peep holes to try and defend the Alamo.
In the early 1800s the missions and their lands were given to the Indians without charge.
There are also some very beautiful homes in San Antonio. Here are some homes on we took pictures of.
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