WHEN DO THE SWALLOWS RETURN TO MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO??

As a photographer, I’m constantly searching for projects that will create a series of memorable images.  I must admit, living in Southern California provides quite a plethora of opportunity.  With the highly anticipated return of the Cliff Swallows of San Juan Capistrano, I realized the California Missions would make an excellent photographic project.

In 1769, Father Junipero Serra began the Construction of the California Missions at the direction of King Charles III of Spain.  King Charles wanted to establish permanent settlements in Alta California to maintain control of the land as other people and countries were beginning to come to the area.  The settled land was to become part of the Spanish territory.  The missions were built near the coast to establish towns, and to be able to trade with ships and people coming to the area.  Building the missions would also provide an opportunity to convert the Indians to Christianity.  The missions were placed approximately one day’s walk from each other, with the entire span of missions along the El Camino Real running 650 miles.  The missions were similar in appearance with each having a quadrangle housing the shops and rooms, a church, and a bell tower.  The church was built to be as tall as the highest tree in the area so that it could be easily seen from a great distance.

Mission Jan Juan Capistrano was first founded on October 19, 1775.  But because of a sudden revolt, soon after the founding the padres and soldiers returned to San Diego. Once things had settled in San Diego, Father Serra personally led a party to re-found Mission San Juan Capistrano on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 1776.

The San Juan Capistrano Mission area became so popular they quickly outgrew their small chapel.  In 1797, construction began on a building that was to be the largest church in California.  It was finished 9 years later in 1806.  Sadly in December, 1812, an earthquake destroyed the church at San Juan Capistrano Mission, killing 40 people including two boys who were ringing the bells at the time. The church was never rebuilt.  But the enormity of the structure can still be witnessed through the ruins that exist as a part of the present day mission.

This is one of those posts where I could have literally shared dozens of images.  But instead, I’ve chosen these few for your review.

The Bell Tower of the Original Bodega

The Eastern Corridor

The Great Stone Church Ruins

The Bodega Bell Tower as viewed through one of the Arches of the Eastern Corridor

The Bell Tower and Dome of the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

The Courtyard as viewed from the North Corridor

The Great Stone Church Ruins

The Sacred Garden and Bell Wall

The San Juan Mission is probably the most famous of all the California missions.  This is likely due to the cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano that leave town every year in a swirling mass near the Day of San Juan, which is October 23.  Some 5 months later, the swallows return from their winter vacation spot 6,000 miles south in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina, on or around St. Joseph’s Day, March 19.  They are welcomed back each year by the ringing bells of the old church and a crowd of visitors from all over the world who are in town awaiting their arrival and celebrating with a huge fiesta as well as a parade.

Legend has it that the swallows took refuge in the Mission San Juan Capistrano from an irate innkeeper who destroyed their muddy nests. The swallows return to the old ruined church each spring knowing they will be protected within the mission’s walls. In fact, the city has taken their safety seriously passing an ordinance against destroying their nests.

So-called “scout swallows” precede the main flock each year by a few days but the majority of the small birds usually arrives on the 19th and begins rebuilding the mud nests that cling to the ruins of the old stone church and throughout the Capistrano Valley.

I could easily spend an entire day here learning the history and witnessing the spectacular Spanish architecture.

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~ by photographyfree4all on February 18, 2011.