Carmel - Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

History

Because of its architecture and its location on Monterey Bay, the Carmel Mission, as it is generally known, is one of the most beautiful of the mission stations. When it was founded it formed the northernmost point of Spanish dominance. Here, too, soldiers and priests soon separated; Serra moved the mission station some 5mi/8km into a valley by the Carmel river. It remained Serra's headquarters until his death, by which time there were already nine mission stations. Here you can still see the spartanly simple room with its wooden bed and writing table, from which Serra supervised the mission stations and watched over the baptism of more than 5,000 Indians. From 1934 onwards the mission and the church, built in 1797 in the Moorish style by a Mexican stone-mason, were restored in their old form. It is one of the few mission stations to retain its square inner courtyard. Here, too, lies the tomb of Serra, who was canonized by Pope John Paul II on September 25th 1988.

Nobody should fail to visit the mission of San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, where Peter Junipero Serra is buried. The Bach Festival, which takes place every year in the second half of July, brings together prominent soloists and chamber music ensembles. You reach it via Seventeen Mile Drive which leads from Monterey to Carmel.

Location

Situated about 5mi/8km from Monterey, on the southern edge of Carmel.