Mission San Xavier del Bac - historic Spanish Catholic Mission, l0 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation.
The mission that survives today was built between 1783 and 1797, which makes it the oldest European structure in Arizona. Labor was provided by the O'odham. An outstanding example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States, the Mission San Xavier del Bac hosts some 200,000 visitors each year.
If interested, read more here about this beautiful mission.
The photo above I took on my previous visit in 2018.
When we visited today, we found the amazing facade of the mission
covered with scaffolding as major renovations are underway!
All photos below were taken today and the weather was perfect, blue sky,
bright sunshine, light breeze and 73F.
Entrance was permitted with masks and social distancing, but only
five quick minutes allowed inside the church.
We're spending a few days here in Tucson before heading home.
It has been a very pleasant trip so far. . . . . . . and great to actually
be traveling again!
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So glad for you to have this opportunity, dear Mary! I know how much you love travelling and how much you‘ve been missing it.
ReplyDelete.........looks like International traveling may take a hit once again with the new variant Meike - when will all this end!!!!!!!!!!
Deletewhat a beautiful place
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. Glad you are having a good time!
ReplyDeleteDearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteThis Spanish Mission looks very similar to the ones we often stayed at in Mexico during our consulting periods. Always fascinating for being able to go back in time.
It is bizar that people were only granted five minutes inside the Church...!
Hugs,
Mariette
.......only a small number of tourists permitted inside at a time Mariette as it's quite small and they were practicing 'distancing'! Last time we went we could spend as long as we wanted and I was able to take beautiful photos of the art, statues, frescoes etc. with my real camera. This time just a few quickies with my phone. D--- COVID!!!!!!
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DeleteThat white against the vivid blue sky is stunning. Hope that you enjoy some of the delightful Mexican restaurants in Tucson. I have always said that, if I ever had to live in a city, I would choose Tucson or Tulsa. Happy days to you!
ReplyDelete.......will look for a good Mexican today perhaps! Last night we had dinner in the historic Congress Hotel, just a good salmon caesar salad!
DeleteTucson is a nice city however we've decided we could never live in this area - I need the ocean closer, oak trees, rain and green grass, haha! Family tried to coax us to move to Sierra Vista over the years but we've declined!
Oh to be traveling again... I had so hoped to get to France at Christmas, but it is looking harder by the day as we impose more restrictions across Europe to guard against the new Covid variant. My heart just sank when I heard the news that isolation on return would be required. But hey, it will end one day... just not as soon as I'd wish.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I do love old missions and would love seeing this one. Growing up in California we got to have field trips to some of the missions of California. Wonderful pictures! The weather sounds so perfect. So happy you are traveling, it does the spirit well and lifts it up.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you could take this trip. Such lovely blue skies and sites to visit. The old mission is beautiful.
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