Mission San Juan Capistrano is referred to as the "Jewel of the Missions." not only because of its architecture, but perhaps because it is best known due to the annual migration of swallows that return year after year to nest in the many trees and under the eaves of buildings in and around the town. “Los Golondrinas” is the Spanish name for the birds and cliff swallow is their common name.

    The mission was founded in 1775 by Father Lasuen, but was later abandoned because of Indian unrest. Father Serra founded it again in 1776.  It is one of three missions that were founded twice; the others are San Gabriel and La Purisima. 

    Little is left of the original stone church, which was designed with a floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross.  When the padres began construction, their goal was to have the finest church in the chain.  The Great Stone Church was truly magnificent and the padres were proud of their accomplishment. Then in 1812, six years after they had completed construction, a devastating earthquake struck while Mass was being conducted. The church and its 200-foot bell tower were completely destroyed.  Forty bodies were pulled from the ruins.  Since then no attempt has been made to restore it. Today, all that remains of the original structure is the back wall.  Many of the other buildings on the property have been restored. The Serra Chapel is the only surviving structure where Padre Serra is known to have conducted mass. The baroque reredos is believed to be 300 years old and is the highlight of the chapel. The interior of the chapel is shown here. 

    Buildings on the property show masonry work that has been compare to that which is found in Rome and Greece. The padres did indeed deliver on their promise and made San Juan Capistrano the “Jewel of the Missions.”

    In 1818, the French privateer Hipolito Bouchard, sailing under the flag of "United Province of Rio de la Plata" (Argentina) came ashore. Overpowering the outnumbered guards, the pirates looted the mission warehouses and did some minor damage to other buildings. This is regarded as one of the most colorful events in the mission's history and is remembered annually at the celebration known as "The Day that Pirates Sacked the Mission."

        Mission San Juan Capistrano has served as a favorite subject for many notable artists, and has been immortalized in literature and on film numerous times, perhaps more than any other mission. On the day the birds make their annual appearance, usually March 19th, St. Joseph's Day, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the mission bells are rung. The bells are unlike most of the other missions’ bells, because they are still tolled the old fashion way, by pulling on a rope that is attached to the clapper. Most of the other bells are attached to support beams, which means when the beam is swung the bell tolls.

    The imposing Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano is nearby. It was designed "in the spirit and likeness" of the original mission church.  Pope John Paul II conferred the title of minor basilica to the church in 2000.

    The mission is a destination for countless number of tourists each year.  On almost any given day, beside the tourists, one can find a fourth grade class or two on the mission property. Fourth grade students throughout California study the California missions.  In the photograph shown above, a group of students is gathered around a docent, who is more than likely telling them all about the architecture.

NOTE:  A reredos is the screen of decoration behind the altar.