“The Alamo” by Phil Roeder, used under CC BY 2.0
Apart from the missions, the site also features other colonial structures like the Espada Aqueduct and other irrigation resources and agricultural fields. The public can participate in free guided tours where they can peruse the sites and find out more about the Spanish colonial period from knowledgeable tour guides.
- The Alamo
The fifth mission, the Alamo, is arguably the most famous historic site in San Antonio. So much so that a decree has been issued forbidding the erection of any building that would cast a shadow on the site. The Alamo was founded in the eighteenth century as a Spanish mission and fortress compound but is mostly remembered as the site of the Battle of Alamo in 1836 that took place during the Texas Revolution.
Today, visitors can view the old chapel, the Long Barracks that houses a small museum in which paintings, artifacts, and weapons from the Texas Revolution are exhibited, as well as the Wall of History, which is a large mural that depicts the history of the Alamo complex. Guests can participate in various available guided tours, such as The Alamo: A Story Bigger Than Texas, where they can learn about the 300-year history of the site or Weapons of the Alamo, a Living History Tour, which is concerned with the weapons used during the Battle of Alamo.
- The Majestic Theater
The Majestic Theater, which was designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 1991, is the oldest and largest atmospheric theater in San Antonio. When its doors opened on June 14, 1929, featuring an auditorium that could seat more than 3,700 people, it was the largest movie house in the south. The Majestic boasted all the modern conveniences of the time, such as the latest in lighting and sound equipment and elevator access to the balcony and mezzanine areas. It was also the first fully air-conditioned theater in Texas.
Today, the Majestic is still a functioning theater that has played host to famous operas such as Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera and top Broadway musicals like Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar.
San Antonio is a great destination for any person who has an interest in history or more specifically, colonial history. Be sure to visit these must-see sites next time you’re in the area.
