| What makes it historical? |
Originally named the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y Guadalupe, the original church at this site was built between 1738 and 1750! Though it underwent some major enhancements and restorations in 1868 and 2003, the original walls still form the sanctuary of the cathedral! It was built by settlers from the Canary Islands, whose patron is the Virgin of Candelaria, but also nods to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas!
Though named in honor of the Virgin Mary, this site took on a very different look during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. This was where General Antonio López de Santa Anna raised a flag of “no quarter” before his 13-day siege. In military terms, “no quarter” means “take no prisoners!” |
