Explore The Alamo Church

The famous bell-shaped Alamo Parapet was built by the U.S. Army in the 1850's.

The monogram in the upper center of the second-stage window of the portal contains the letters "I H S" supporting a small cross over the horizontal part of the "H." These are the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek.

The four Alamo niches were each to house a separate saint statue. They would have been Saint Claire, Saint Margaret, Saint Dominic, and Saint Francis.

The doors found on the Alamo today are the third set of doors that have been placed on the structure.

The carved letters of the keystone "AVMR" (Ave Maria) and beneath it the date 1758. Two figures perch on the scroll and hold the Crown of Mary over the intertwined letters. The monogram of the Virgin Mary is seen in the keystone of the main doorway.

To the left of the Alamo church doors are spots historians believe are shotgun blast marks from the 1836 battle.

To the right of the Alamo church doors is a spot where historians believe there is likely cannonball damage from the 1836 battle.

You can learn more about the Alamo and look inside the historic shrine on this virtual tour at TheAlamo.org.