SAN ANTONIO (Day 4 - part 7)

We first wandered through the rooms of the old convento. The rooms were lined with old frescos and contained many exhibit signs.

Corridor and storeroom

The decorations and frescos were painted around the time when the convento was completed in 1756, using both religious and secular symbolism typical of the period. Along with providing beauty and education, they also accentuated architectural features and hid construction flaws. In 1988, they were cleaned (exposing vivid colors after removing centuries of dirt) and preserved.

In 1493, Pope Alexander VI divided the known world between Spain and Portugal, with the Americas going to Spain. In 1508, Pope Julius II granted the king the power of royal patronage to appoint church officials, provide funding and establish missions. The conquistadors claimed new lands in the name of their God and king. Missions in Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and California extended the frontiers of New Spain.

The friars carefully controlled the daily life of the mission. On a set schedule, the locals worked, learned vocational skills and received religious instruction. The goal of this discipline was to change their beliefs and behavior, including the way they dressed.

The back entrance

The sacristy

Stepping into the sanctuary, looking up ... and down the nave to the front doors

The altar

The chapel

A fresco is an alternative to tile or mosaic in terms of creating a permanent image. Pigment is applied to damp lime plaster (made of lime ash and goat’s milk), which absorbs the color. As the plaster dries, it hardens and the colors become permanent. Yellow and red came from clay and sandstone, black from carbon, and blue from an indigo plant.

The baptistry, with a string ot painted rosary beads encircling the room

Smokeless candles

Outside the sacristy (in the ruins of the granary) .... the old sleeping quarters and refractory

We made our way back to the motel, stopping to grab some quick and easy dinner at Denny's.

A wonderful veggie skillet

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