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| Landmark #200 | Orange County | Visited: June 29, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The refurbished 7th mission (of 21) founded by Junípero Serra! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Founded in 1776 by Padre Junípero Serra, this is the seventh in the chain of 21 missions established in Alta California to christianize and civilize the Indians. The stone church was destroyed in 1812 earthquake. Expropriated during Mexican rule, the mission was returned to the Catholic church in 1865 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln.
OTHER TIDBITS: Called the “Jewel of the Missions,” San Juan Capistrano was named after the patron saint of judges, lawyers, and military chaplains, born 1385 in Capistrano, Italy. Highly anti-heretic and anti-Jewish, in 1456, at the age of 70, he led a vast army to victory over invading Turks at the Battle of Belgrade! The Mission itself was not so victorious in battle. Construction was delayed because of a revolt in San Diego, and most of the Great Stone Church collapsed in an earthquake in 1812! After rebuilding, the Mission was sacked six years later by privateer, Hipólito Bouchard! Today, the mission has been restored to much of its original beauty! What I think is really neat about this mission is that each year on March 19th, hundreds of cliff swallows return here en masse from their winter homes, 2,000 miles south, which is why there’s a classic song about the swallows of Capistrano! You can still see them nesting here today! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: NW corner of Ortega Hwy and Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~55mi (89km) — 1hrs |
| When should I go? | The mission is open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM! |
