The Swallows of Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano Mission
The Capistrano Mission is a museum and a ruin as well as a work in progress. It is one of California’s oldest historcial sites. It is sometimes called the "Jewel of the Missions" because of its beauty. This mission was established in 1776 and the main church which took 10 years to build only lasted for 6. It was destoryed by an earthquake and forty people died in 1812. The ruins of this huge church are impressive so I can’t imagine how it looked when it was in its prime. The ornate church was built to replace the smaller chapel when they needed more space. This was a very successful mission. The mission was a village in itself with self sustaining gardens, a vinyard and work shops along with all the amenities needed for a peaceful missionary life. Walking around there was very peaceful. Serra Chapel is the oldest building currently in use in California.
The swallows return to Capistrano every year on March 19th. We were a few days ahead of time. But apparently they still come to the area, not always to the mission. Nests, looking like gourds are under the eaves. The story is that people chased them from their properties but the mission did not. The town takes on a very festive air for the return of the swallows. For more on this story check out this website.
http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net/swallows/
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