In 1718 Franciscans and Spaniards built the first mission in the area that would become San Antonio. Over the next 13 years, five missions were located along the San Antonio River. The missions served as a place to Christianize the native people and make them Spanish citizens.
The five missions make up San Antonio Mission Trail. Today you can visit four of these missions at San Antonio Missions National Park - Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. The fifth mission - Mission San Antonio de Valero - become known as the Alamo. Admission to the Alamo is separate from the four missions at San Antonio Missions National Park.
