San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Campanario
Mission San Diego de Alcala
The bell on the lower left is called Mater Dolorosa – Our Lady of Sorrows. I weighs 1200 pounds and was recast by the Standard Iron Works of San Diego in 1894 from bell fragments found in the vicinity of the Mission.
The bells played an important role in the everyday life of the Mission. A sequence of tones and rhymes was developed for each occasions. They were used to announce times for Mass, work, meals, and siestas. The bells signaled danger, rang solemnly to honor the dead and pealed joyously to celebrate feast days, weddings, and fiestas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.
Location. 32° 47.078′ N, 117° 6.39′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker is located in the garden of the Mission. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego CA 92108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Diego de Alcala (within shouting distance of this marker); The Church (within shouting distance of this marker); La Playa Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); San Diego State University (approx. 2 miles away); The Freedom Tree (approx. 3.9 miles away); 1915-16 Isthmus (Fun Zone) (approx. 4.1 miles away); Balboa Park Carousel (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Additional commentary.
1. Are the bells original?
One of the bells is original - it is one of the larger bells and it is distinguishable because it has a conan or crown on top of it and is dated 1802. When the King of Spain wanted bells forged for the missions, he required that they have a crown. The other large bell is made up of remnants from the original bells. The middle two bells are crown bells and all five bells are rung in unison only once a year and that is on the birthday of the mission. The large bell on the bottom (non-crown) is rung twice a day (at noon and at six) and before every Mass on Sunday. Bells were extremely important in mission days; they were used as clocks signifying when it was time to eat, pray, work or play. Different tones and sequencing were also significant.
Source: Mission San Diego de Alcala Official Web Site
— Submitted December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Additional keywords. California Missions
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,655 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.