San Juan Capistrano Mission Tour with the Neoclassicists

Please join the ICAA Southern California Neoclassicists on Saturday, September 21st, for an immersive tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano. As the birthplace of Orange County, San Juan Capistrano is a multicultural nexus with roots in indigenous Acjachemen, Spain, and Mexico. Participants will explore the rich architectural expressions of the Mission, which blend indigenous construction techniques with Spanish Catholic classicism. Attendees will have exclusive access to the wine vats and the private sacristy of the chapel ruins. The tour will conclude with an optional sketching session of the Mission grounds.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, is the seventh of California’s 21 missions and is renowned as the Birthplace of Orange County. As a historic landmark, it reflects a blend of indigenous Acjachemen craftsmanship with Spanish colonial architecture, showcasing traditional construction techniques such as stone masonry, adobe, and clay tile. The Mission originally served as a self-sufficient community, encompassing agriculture, industry, education, and religion.

Throughout its history, the Mission has undergone several transitions in ownership and governance, mirroring the broader shifts in California’s history. Established by the Spanish as a center for religious conversion and cultural assimilation, the Mission later fell under Mexican control following Mexico’s independence in 1821. The secularization of the missions in the 1830s led to the sale of its lands, turning it into private ranch property for a time. Following California’s statehood, the Mission was returned to the Catholic Church in 1865, marking the beginning of a new era focused on preservation and restoration.

A pivotal moment in the Mission’s history came in 1812 when a powerful earthquake struck the region, leading to the collapse of the Great Stone Church, once the largest structure on the Mission grounds. This disaster marked the beginning of a period of decline for the Mission, as it struggled with dwindling resources and a decreasing population. Despite these challenges, the Mission’s architectural heritage was preserved through significant restoration efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Mission San Juan Capistrano stands as the “Jewel of the California Missions,” a symbol of resilience and the enduring architectural and cultural legacy of California’s diverse heritage

$45 for ICAA Members
$55 for Non-Members

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