The Alamo

Remember the Alamo is a saying that we all know but nothing beats taking your family to the site where it all happened! The beautiful Spanish-style fortress and church now stand as a testament to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 but also a shrine to Texan history. Today The Alamo Mission in San Antonio is part museum, part Roman Catholic sanctuary, and part historical memorial.

Whether a Texas history buff or not, the Alamo is a must-stop on any trip to San Antonio. The mission was built in 1718 and has stood through not only the battle of 1836 but also through over three hundred years of modernization and growth. Currently, it is nestled in the center of the San Antonio’s downtown making it easy to get to no matter where visitors are residing in the city. Check out this top spot.

For guests who may not remember, the Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution. After being held under siege for thirteen days Texans managed to ward off Mexican troops and stand their ground. Today Texans and non-Texans alike look to it as a symbol of Texan grit and American spirit.

The Alamo itself offers guided tours as well as self-guided tours and is open every day of the year except on Christmas. There are guide options for Spanish-speaking guests, as well as audio tours in German, Japanese, and French as well as English. There are also tour options available for guests with hearing impairment, and visual impairment and guide dogs are welcome.

The Alamo contains six different parts today that include the Shrine, the Long Barrack, the Centennial Museum (built-in 1937), the Alamo Hall, the Arcade, and the Alamo Research Center (built-in 1950). Each of these buildings is open to the public and only the Alamo Hall is open for rent. The Alamo Mission is absolutely integral to any Texas visit and reminds people of both the past and educates people for the future. 

History of the Alamo

On February 23, 1836, Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna arrives with 6,000 troops. The Texan defenders are left with only 200 men at an indefensible open-air Spanish mission. However, they are convinced that reinforcements will come in time. In this letter, they urge the people of Texas to send reinforcements. The Alamo is located at 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. The Alamo complex includes exhibits about Texas history. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library is also located within the complex. There are also historical talks offered by the staff of the Alamo to educate the public. In addition, the Spanish Governor's Palace is close by.

The original church of the Alamo was built in 1757 and had a dome and barrel vault roof. It was only five years later that the cathedral collapsed and the new one was never finished. During the siege, it was in a poor condition. Today, visitors can see a white stone building with ornamental stonework on the front facade. The chapel itself is preserved much as it was in 1849.

The Alamo is a historically significant site that is often associated with slavery and the Mexican-American War. In the nineteenth century, the Alamo complex became known as a battle site and the Texas Legislature purchased it. The chapel was also designated as a state shrine by the state of Texas. The Alamo has been the subject of several popular non-fiction books since its battle in 1836. In recent decades, the Alamo has also been the subject of numerous film adaptations.

The Alamo was protected by a small band of Texans who retreated to a chapel and barracks. The Mexicans had already surrounded the Texians and were hemmed in. A last bloody stand was held by the defenders, but Texans could not escape the Mexican soldiers.

The Alamo was attacked on March 6, 1836. In this battle, between 2,000 and 600 Mexican soldiers were killed. During the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War, the Texian soldiers used the slogan "Remember the Alamo" to rally the people of Texas. In this way, the Alamo became an important symbol of the Texian Revolution.Read more here.