SAN DIEGO 1769 Carved Relief - Junipero Serra Spanish Roman Catholic Priest Editorial Image

Featured at the Casa del Prado this finely carved plaque of SAN DIEGO 1769. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the first Franciscan mission in The Californias, a province of New Spain. Located in present-day San Diego, California, it was founded on July 16, 1769, by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay people. Junípero Serra y Ferrer O.F.M. was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Order. He is credited with establishing the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Born in Spain, he died in Carmel-by-the-Sea California. HTBphotos by John and Katharina Notarianni for print and web design projects.