Cathedral of San Fernando, San Antonio (must see)
The San Fernando Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe, is a historic Catholic cathedral located in downtown San Antonio. Facing the city's Main Plaza, it serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the seat of its archbishop. The cathedral鈥檚 dome marks the cultural and geographical center of San Antonio, underscoring its significance to the city. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States and holds a unique place in Texas history.
The original church, built between 1738 and 1750 by soldiers from the Presidio de San Antonio, their families, and settlers from the Canary Islands, forms the sanctuary of today鈥檚 cathedral, earning it recognition as the oldest cathedral in Texas. Named after Ferdinand III of Castile, the church features a revered image of the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Canary Islands, within its interior. A treasured piece of its history is the baptismal font, believed to be a gift from King Charles III of Spain in 1759, making it the cathedral's oldest liturgical furnishing.
The cathedral has played a key role in historical events. In 1831, James Bowie, famed Alamo defender, married Ursula de Veramendi here. During the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, General Antonio L贸pez de Santa Anna hoisted a flag of "no quarter" from the church tower to commence the siege. The ashes of the Alamo defenders are interred in the cathedral.
Significant architectural changes were made in 1868 under architect Francois P. Giraud, who expanded the structure in the Gothic style, forming the current nave. Further enhancements included the addition of carved stone Stations of the Cross in 1874 and stained glass windows in 1920, lending the cathedral its striking visual appeal.
A notable modern milestone occurred on September 13, 1987, when Pope John Paul II visited San Fernando Cathedral during the first papal visit to Texas, a moment commemorated by a dedicated marker.
Today, the cathedral remains a vibrant center of Catholic life in San Antonio. It plays a prominent role in community traditions such as Fiesta Week and the Good Friday Passion Play, drawing thousands of visitors each year. San Fernando Cathedral stands as a symbol of faith, history, and culture in the heart of San Antonio.
The original church, built between 1738 and 1750 by soldiers from the Presidio de San Antonio, their families, and settlers from the Canary Islands, forms the sanctuary of today鈥檚 cathedral, earning it recognition as the oldest cathedral in Texas. Named after Ferdinand III of Castile, the church features a revered image of the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Canary Islands, within its interior. A treasured piece of its history is the baptismal font, believed to be a gift from King Charles III of Spain in 1759, making it the cathedral's oldest liturgical furnishing.
The cathedral has played a key role in historical events. In 1831, James Bowie, famed Alamo defender, married Ursula de Veramendi here. During the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, General Antonio L贸pez de Santa Anna hoisted a flag of "no quarter" from the church tower to commence the siege. The ashes of the Alamo defenders are interred in the cathedral.
Significant architectural changes were made in 1868 under architect Francois P. Giraud, who expanded the structure in the Gothic style, forming the current nave. Further enhancements included the addition of carved stone Stations of the Cross in 1874 and stained glass windows in 1920, lending the cathedral its striking visual appeal.
A notable modern milestone occurred on September 13, 1987, when Pope John Paul II visited San Fernando Cathedral during the first papal visit to Texas, a moment commemorated by a dedicated marker.
Today, the cathedral remains a vibrant center of Catholic life in San Antonio. It plays a prominent role in community traditions such as Fiesta Week and the Good Friday Passion Play, drawing thousands of visitors each year. San Fernando Cathedral stands as a symbol of faith, history, and culture in the heart of San Antonio.
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Cathedral of San Fernando on Map
Sight Name: Cathedral of San Fernando
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Antonio, Texas
Create Your Own Walk in San Antonio
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Antonio is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
River Walk Tour
The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del R铆o or simply The River Walk) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of the city. A successful special-case pedestrian street, this walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting major tourist draws and attractions that add to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
King William Historical District Tour
San Antonio鈥檚 first 鈥渟uburb鈥� and the very first historical district in Texas, revitalized during the 1960s, the King William District encompasses 25 blocks south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River.
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
San Antonio Introduction Walking Tour
San Antonio, one of Texas' major cities, boasts rich colonial heritage. The city was named by a 1691 Spanish expedition for Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day is June 13. At the time of European encounter, the area near the San Antonio River Valley was inhabited by Payaya Indians who called it Yanaguana, the "refreshing waters".
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles