Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo has been called the flagship mission of San Antonio and the Queen of the Missions. What

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are some interesting facts about this mission?

1. Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo was founded in 1720 by Father Antonio Margil de Jesús, a Spanish Franciscan missionary.

2. It is located in San Antonio, Texas, near the San Antonio River.

3. The mission was named in honor of Saint Joseph (San José) and Father Miguel de Aguayo, the governor of the province of Coahuila y Texas at the time.

4. Mission San José is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved missions in Texas, earning it the title of the "Queen of the Missions."

5. It was designed in the Spanish Colonial Baroque style, characterized by its intricate carvings and decorative elements.

6. The mission was self-sufficient, with its residents practicing agriculture, livestock raising, and various trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, and pottery.

7. Mission San José was not only a religious center but also served as a social and educational hub for the Native American Coahuiltecan tribes in the area.

8. The mission's church, the San José Church, is known for its exceptional architecture, including its famous Rose Window, which is often referred to as the "Rose Window of Texas."

9. The site also features a granary, workshops, a convento (residential quarters for the missionaries), and a defensive wall, demonstrating the mission's importance as a fortified community.

10. Mission San José was designated a National Historic Site in 1978 and is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.