Many people have walked along the riverfront and seen the bells on the Arneson River Stage, or saw it as they went by it on the cruise boats. But do you know what those five bells represent? If you went on the cruise your guide may have mentioned it. I learned what they were during our recent visit to San Antonio and wanted to share. Those bells represent the five missions in the state of Texas.
In the 18th century they became the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. They flourished during the middle of the 18th century, but later declined due to inadequate military support, disease, and increased hostilities with Apaches and Comanches. Here they are in chronological order: The Alamo (1718), San Jose (1720), San Juan (1731), Concepcion (1731) and Espada (1731). These five missions have been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
