The first of the 21 California missions, Mission San Diego de Alcalá is named after the 15th-century saint, Didacus of Alcalá, more commonly known as Saint Diego. Founded by Father Junipero Serra on July 16, 1769, it is here where the Spanish religious and political dream to begin an Alta California mission chain first became reality.
The mission was originally located on a hill overlooking the bay, but a drought in 1774 forced the mission fathers to move Mission San Diego about six miles inland to this location, closer to the San Diego River, to gain access to more favorable agricultural lands and the local Indian villages.
The native Indians were resistant to colonization and within weeks after the mission’s founding an uprising resulted in deaths for both groups, with a missionary becoming California’s first Christian Martyr. Fearing another raid, the padres rebuilt the mission according to the specifications of an army fort.
The church features striking windows, built high for protection from intruders, and also to prevent them from collapsing under the weight of the adobe walls. Another feature is the 46-foot tall campanario, or bell wall, which holds five bells. The largest of these bronze bells is named Mater Dolorosa, and weighs a staggering 1,200 pounds. The bells announced the time for mass, work, meals, and siestas. They also warned of danger, tolled to honor the dead, rang to celebrate peace, and proclaimed the arrival of guests.
Mission San Diego was also used as a military post. The American military occupation of the mission began in 1846 and lasted 16 years, until President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation returning the mission to the Catholic Church in 1862.
Today, the church and a newer chapel, La Capilla de San Bernardino, combine to serve as a religious center for Mission San Diego’s large and active parish. The current church, built in the early 19th century, is the fifth to stand on this location. The mission site is a National Historic Landmark. In 1976, Pope Paul VI designated the Mission church as a minor basilica.
This is a Virtual Geocache that requires you to visit the location and complete the logging tasks described below. Found logs will be deleted if photos are not posted with your logs. In addition, there are two questions that must be answered. Email me or send the answers via the geocaching message center.
- At the coordinates you will find a plaque. Who is named on the plaque?
- What event occurred at this location?
- Post a photo of a personal item that will identify yourself with the monument in the background.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025: This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
Congratulations to ReneeCache and HVYripper on getting FTF!! And to HVYripper on his 23,000th find!