San Juan Capistrano - Mission San Juan Capistrano

History

The San Juan Capistrano mission, shrouded in romance, is a favorite with tourists; its church is also worthy of attention. Its construction was not started until 20 years after the founding and took until 1806 to complete. Its name goes back to the Italian jurist and later Franciscan crusading priest John of Capistrano (14th/15th centuries), who was canonized at the end of the 17th century. This mission, dedicated by Serra, is the only one in Orange County, south of Los Angeles. The church with its twelve domes was badly damaged by earthquakes in 1812 and 1918 and, like other buildings forming part of the mission, only partially repaired. Since the church could not be used as a result of the earthquake a mere six years after completion - 40 Indians had been buried in the ruins - services were held in a little adobe-built church. This mission station is one of the few remaining which are fully preserved.

Legends

There is a romantic legend concerning these ruins. It is said that the swallows which nest in the stonework set off each year on their migration south on October 23rd (the day on which John of Capistrano died in 1456), and return on St Joseph's Day, March 19th. This legend is immortalized in a 50-year-old hit tune "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano", and still lives on - even though the dates do not exactly agree.

Location

This mission station lies near Junction 1-5/Pacific Highway, about 4mi/6km from Dana Point. Los Angeles is 60mi/100km away.