Legendary Swallows Return To Celebrate Reopening Of Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mar 20, 2021 693

BY: Wendy Lee

On Friday, March 19, the Mission San Juan Capistrano officially celebrated both its reopening to the public and the annual return of the swallows. After two extended closures during the past year, the Mission is once again open for guests to explore.

Considered the Jewel of the Missions, Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by the Spanish. Its purpose was to expand the territorial boundaries of Spain while also spreading Christianity to the native peoples of California. In 1812 a major earthquake resulted in the destruction of the Great Stone Church on the mission’s property, and subsequently, a long, slow decline began. 

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SOURCE: https://www.travelawaits.com

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