Mission Espada was founded in 1731 when the area was New Spain and is one of the four San Antonio Missions that belong to NPS that you can see. It is still an active Catholic Church as well. All four missions are beautiful and for all the similarities, each is very unique. Of the four, this one is in the most ruins. It is just incredible to stand there looking around on a hot, humid Texas September day and think about the people that lived here. Bathrooms are available to the right after you enter the mission from the visitor entrance. Paths are paved and easy to walk. Just be aware some of the edges can be a bit jagged, so watch your step. The mission is free, but the church asks for a donation in the sanctuary to help maintain the grounds.

✝️ Peaceful, Quiet Sanctuary ✝️ Mission Espada feels like the smallest of the Missions. It's a serene space populated with lush green grass, coiling trees, and many opportunities for repose. Some of my favorite family photos were taken at this spot, with its tranquil benches, vibrant potted plant-life, and rustic stonework. The silhouette of the Mission against the sky--complete with its bells--is lovely to behold. There's a gift shop on-site, for those wishing to take home a memento of their Mission pilgrimages, as well as restrooms for convenience. I visited around Christmastime and enjoyed the festive flourishes that decorated the grounds.

This mission is smaller than others. Do remember that there are total of 5 missions. In this one the chapel really takes you back in time. As you enter those old doors, you can see string hanging to ring the bells. The church is small. Around 75 people can probably fill it. Next to church there is also a gift shop but it closes on Monday.

Excellent place to visit. Mission Espada y es de farthest so7rh of all four and the smallest one but is the most majestic of all. Beautiful decorated, their grounds are nicely kept, and their history is wonderful. They have a museum and the catedral is open for visitors. It's a must to visit this place.

This is the most original of the missions. Most of the construction here dates from over 200 years. Beautiful church area and grounds.

Probably the prettiest of the 5 missions we visited. It is smaller, but that was nice because it was very hot the day we visited. You can enter the church when it is not holding mass. The grounds are beautiful with the trees and some walking areas. There are several plaques that tell about the mission similar to what you see at the other missions. When we were there we only saw maybe 5 total people visiting and the 1 worker in the gift shop. It is a great place to walk around a nice area at the mission and easily access the mission/riverwalk trail at close to it's farthest southern point. It is also nice that it is free to visit and see the beauty.

Would have liked to have seen the inside of the church but wasn't open

I had the pleasure of working here as a seasonal park ranger in the early 1990's. This is the southern most of the four missions in the San Antonio Missions NHP. It's also the quietest. People didn't always make to the mission when I was working here but those who did enjoyed the peace that is here. Pay careful attention to the door of the church.

Very beautiful historic mission in San Antonio. I highly recommend visiting all 4 missions to gain the true experience. They are not far away from each other, only a few miles between each. I advise starting from the South and working your way North. If you go on Sunday, be aware that all of the missions are still active and have a couple of Masses each. Check out our YouTube channel @AdventureBuddiesOfficial to see our day trip there.

Great place to visit with the entire family. Trails located in the rear part of the chapel. Family and I love it. Will visit again soon.

This place is so interesting to see, especially since part of it is still standing and still in use. It has plenty of parking (which is nice) and really clean bathrooms. Plan on about 30 to 40 minutes here- and of course admission is free.

Wonderful experience! Very educational and informative. We were only going to visit a couple, then we were so interested we visited all of them. FYI... Bathrooms at every location.

This is a good experience. I recommend visiting San Jose Missions first for the guided tour because you'll learn a lot of history pertaining to each of the missions.

Wow so much history is in this area so beautiful to take the kids out to explore and learn about our missions history. Also they hold Mass in the small church.

Absolutely beautiful and loaded with incredible history. The missions of San Antonio are a treasure. There are few buildings of this history in our relatively young country. It is interesting to think of communities long ago being built around the missions as cultural centres. Really interesting.

Beautiful historical place in San Antonio. We went on a black friday and it wasn't too croweded. Entrance and parking free. We rented bikes and continued our trip to mission san juan and we just loved it. We enjoyed the ride, the views and the place.

Loved visiting all of the missions. They are not just churches, they were communities. This one is smaller than the others but worth the visit. Very peaceful if you go during the weekdays. Great for some pictures for photography lovers out there.

Had company from Dallas in town and took them to visit the Missions. I forgot beautiful and peaceful the grounds are..highly recommend these historic sites. All the Missions are now connected by walking/biking trails..a must see "Tree of Life" sculpture. Gorgeous.

A great stop for families. The church here does service. The paths are great to walk around and learn a bit of history. It is near the other missions.