Mission Valley in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Campanario

Mission San Diego de Alcala

Campanario Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2026

1. Campanario Marker

Inscription. The Campanario is 46 feet high and holds the Mission bells. The crown-topped bell on the lower right is named Ava Maria Purisima – Immaculate Mary. It weighs 805 pounds and was cast in 1802. A crown-topped bell was usually supplied by the Spanish King and cast in the royal foundry in Barcelona at the Kings expense or made in a country ruled by Spain. Ava Maria Purisima was in the vestibule of St. Joseph’s church and was hung in the campanario after the reconstruction of Mission San Diego in 1931.

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 • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.

Location. 32°

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47.078′ N, 117° 6.39′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Mission Valley. It can be reached from San Diego Mission Road. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mission San Diego de Alcala (a few steps from this marker); Spanish Explorations (a few steps from this marker); The Façade (a few steps from this marker); The Garden (a few steps from this marker); Padres' Living Quarters (a few steps from this marker); The Five Churches of Mission San Diego de Alcalá (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Didacus - San Diego (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker). 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

Original Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2005

2. Original Marker

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

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 23, 2024

3. Campanario Marker

The Campanario image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 23, 2024

4. The Campanario

Postcard View of the Camanario image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Frashers Foto

5. Postcard View of the Camanario

Mission San Diego de Alcala San Diego, California

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2026

6. The Campanario

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,245 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 10, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on August 19, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on December 19, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on March 10, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.