Tumacacori Arizona Feb 25, 2014

 South again, 10 miles from the Mexican border, we visited Tumacacori, a Jesuit Mission established in 1691.

This small door led into a walled mission village. 

 The church built in 1823

Looking back at the museum, gardens and gift shop.


It is amazing that something so beautiful could be built so long ago and can be saved and protected.  We are very new on this planet compared to these early inhabitants- the native Indians and the well meaning missionaries who came to work with them.







This is a representation of what the inside of the church looked like




Behind the church are more buildings and a cemetery. Burial services were held in to round building.

 The last true burial was in 1916 and the real grave is behind in the area where the trees are in a larger cemetery

A large wall encircles the mission grounds.


This building was called the Convento where the priests lives


Fireplace at one end

Two adjoining rooms, a second fireplace

This is a representation of a "Melhol Ki," O'odham Indian word for house.  It is a traditional structure of mesquite timbers, ocotillo sticks and mud.

During the restoration of the Convento, 2 peach pits rolled out of the wall.  They were used to start this orchard.  I have never seen a rock suspended from a branch to help shape the tree.  (middle of picture left side of tree.  

Part of an irrigation canal

This is the second tree I have seen that has a branch that grows along the ground. (Tohono Chul has the other one)

No matter who comes or goes through the ages, the constant mountains look down