San Antonio Missions, USA

In the spring of 2010, CyArk and the National Park Service collaborated to digitally preserve San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The first phase of the Digital Preservation Project of the five sites included field documentation, during which laser scanning and photography were used to create a digital record of the missions. CyArk partner Critigen performed the laser scanning and panoramic photography completed during the field documentation. The digital information gathered during the field documentation phase was then used to assist conservation as well as produce outputs for educational and promotional activities.

Located along the San Antonio River in Texas, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park encompasses four 18th-century Spanish Colonial missions. The San Antonio Missions represents the largest collection of Spanish Colonial missions in the United States. The missions were designed to be defensive residences and were centered around grand churches and convents. Their elaborate façades were designed in Spanish Colonial, Late Baroque, Moorish, Renaissance and Romanesque architectural styles.

Mission Concepción is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. It is the northernmost of the San Antonio Missions and is located along the east bank of the San Antonio River. The church was designed in the Spanish Colonial architectural style and took nearly twenty years to build. The church is cross-shaped in plan, with a vaulted roof and dome. It is constructed of limestone, the stonework exhibits a strong Moorish influence. The main façade of the Mission Concepción church was once covered in painted frescoes much like the ones preserved inside the church and convento.