World Heritage Status

United States Celebrates World Heritage Inscription of San Antonio Missions

San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial missions: (Mission San Antonio de Valero, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada)  (including the Alamo) represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America and have been named a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  In the 18th century, Spanish priests established five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River. The systems instituted by the friars led to an ethnically diverse society that continues to influence San Antonio to this day. 

The World Heritage Site list recognizes the most significant cultural and natural sites in the world such as Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China. UNESCO encourages the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and national heritage around the world. To be chosen as a World Heritage Site, the missions had to meet demanding selection criteria that verified their historic importance. This rare honor has been bestowed upon only 23 sites in the United States. The missions are the first World Heritage Site in Texas.

To learn more about these historic missions visit the San Antonio Convention and Vistors Bureau at visitsanantonio.com.

From visitsanantonio.com