Local Interpretations of Classical Models: the architecture of the churches of San Antonio missions, Texas

During the 18th century, in the current metropolitan area of San Antonio, Texas, five Franciscan missions were established along the local river. The comparative analysis of three of San Antonio missions’ churches with Eu-ropean models shows some recurring elements, certifying a specific design attitude that could be linked to archi-tectural innovations undertaken in Italy during the Counter Reformation period. Adoption and adaptation of the European technologies of quarrying and dressing stones were also carried out. The buildings’ surveys and ar-chival research reveal that stone for wall construction was quarried nearby, cut in broken ashlar stone blocks cre-ating regular decorative pattern. San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are definitively au-thentic syncretic works, built by the Indians for their own use under the Franciscans’ guidance, incorporating imported cultural models and construction know-how.