Jyoti'S... on and off. :)
California Missions
I believe this is the Mission Chapel of San Juan Bautista.( I may be wrong. Please correct me if I am.)
Two years ago, we visited 3 of the 21 Spanish Missions that were established in Alta California during the expansion and colonization of California back in 1700s... for my daughter's school project.
A vast majority of these chapels have seen too many earthquakes, fires, floods and have been restored at least 3 times. Some were relocated while others were rebuilt. In fact, the better the condition of the structure, the more likely the chances are that the original structure has not survived the earthquake or the fire that hit it. The missions( most of them) although do not hold regular services, allow visitors and some are also available for hire for weddings and other occasions. Some are privately run and so are off limit to the general public.
While most of religious places are built for opulence and grandeur, these Mission chapels stood out to me for their simplicity and practicality. I suppose the they did not have much choice. Most of these were built with stone and wood and still have that 18th century charm. In almost all of them, even the ones with structure barely holding up, I found the main chapel warm and welcoming.
I for one would love to visit the other 18 of the Mission Chapels if possible. :)
California Missions
I believe this is the Mission Chapel of San Juan Bautista.( I may be wrong. Please correct me if I am.)
Two years ago, we visited 3 of the 21 Spanish Missions that were established in Alta California during the expansion and colonization of California back in 1700s... for my daughter's school project.
A vast majority of these chapels have seen too many earthquakes, fires, floods and have been restored at least 3 times. Some were relocated while others were rebuilt. In fact, the better the condition of the structure, the more likely the chances are that the original structure has not survived the earthquake or the fire that hit it. The missions( most of them) although do not hold regular services, allow visitors and some are also available for hire for weddings and other occasions. Some are privately run and so are off limit to the general public.
While most of religious places are built for opulence and grandeur, these Mission chapels stood out to me for their simplicity and practicality. I suppose the they did not have much choice. Most of these were built with stone and wood and still have that 18th century charm. In almost all of them, even the ones with structure barely holding up, I found the main chapel warm and welcoming.
I for one would love to visit the other 18 of the Mission Chapels if possible. :)