Mission San Antonio de Valero, later to become famous as the Alamo, was established in 1718, the first of five Spanish missions founded in San Antonio to Christianize and educate resident Indians. As he mission grew, the church structure that stands today in midtown was begun about 1755. Its mission role completed, the old buildings were abandoned by 1836 when the site, by then known as the Alamo, became the "Cradle of Texas Liberty." Rebelling against repression's of Mexico's self-proclaimed dictator, Santa Anna, a band of 189 Texas volunteers defied a Mexican army of thousand for 13 days of siege (Feb. 23 to Mar. 6). The Alamo defenders died to the last man, among them such storied names as William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie. Cost to the Mexican forces was dreadful. While Santa Anna dictated an announcement of glorious victory, his aide, Colonel Juan Almonte, privately noted, :One more such 'glorious victory' and we are finished." (The finish came April 21 when Sam Houston's Texans routed the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston, and captured "the napoleon of the West," as Santa Anna billed himself.)
The Alamo is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Alamo Plaza.
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Dominating the plaza in front of the Alamo, the monument was designed by Pompeo Copini, eminent Italian-born sculptor who adopted Texas as his home. Names of those who died at the Alamo are inscribed in marble.
Located on grounds that surrounds the Alamo. On view are relics of famous Battle of the Alamo, and other artifacts associated with days of early colonization and Republic of Texas period. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"ALAMO.. The Price of Freedom" ---45 minute docudrama sponsored by Luby's begins with arrival of William B. Travis on Feb. .3, 1836, in San Antonio, and tells story of the 189 defenders who chose to die for freedom. IMAX Theater screen, six stories tall. Other IMAX features shown along with 70mm conventional films. Theater opens daily at 10 a.m. In Rivercenter Mall, 803 East Commerce Street across from rear entrance to the Alamo. For schedule of films, call 210-225-4629.
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