Architecture of San Antonio

The first European buildings in Texas were a series of religious Spanish Missions built by Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, and to give Spain a toehold in the frontier land.

In addition to the presidio (fort) and pueblo (town), the misión was one of the three major agencies employed by the Spanish crown to extend its borders and consolidate its colonial territories.

Among other examples are: Among other notable buildings of historical, architectural, and religious significance are the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower and Cathedral of San Fernando, both still in use.

Among other older notable buildings in San Antonio are the Pearl Brewing Company, the Spanish Governor's Palace, The Majestic Theatre, the Spanish Colonial Revival Thomas Jefferson High School, and many houses to the immediate south of Downtown San Antonio, located in the King William Historic District, built by 19th century German industrialists.

Some of the city's more prominent contemporary works have been summarized in the table below: While the skyline is not the tallest in Texas (Houston, Dallas and Austin are taller), Downtown San Antonio is a unique one with a mix of old and new styles of architecture.