Harlandale in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Covento

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 18, 2025

1. Covento Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The grand two-story Convento provided housing for the priest and two friars who resided here and ruled over the mission. Separated from the rest of the compound, their residence reflects the high status of the clergy. The friars and their guests enjoyed the finest luxuries they could import on the frontier, such as sugar and wine. The kitchen, dining room, and offices were on the ground floor, and the clergy occupied rooms above. The architecture reflects the Spanish caste system imposed at the time. This social system was based on geographic and cultural background, with Native Americans and Africans being in the lowest casta or caste. While the United States has no formal caste system, it takes all of us to continue to create a more equal society.

Franciscan friars dressed in blue robes and corded belts vowed poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Spanish:
En este gran convento de dos pisos vivieron el sacerdote y los dos frailes que reinaron la misión. Separada del resto del complejo, su residencia muestra el alto estatus del clero. Los frailes y sus invitados disfrutaron los lujos importados

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más finos como azúcar u vino. La cocina, comedor y oficinas, se situaron en el piso bajo y el clero ocupó los curatos de arriba. La arquitectura refleja el sistema de castas que estaba vigente durante el periodo misionero. El sistema fue usado para dividir a las personas con base en su raza y cultura. Los indígenas y africanos ocuparon la casta más baja. Aunque Estados Unidos no tiene ningún sistema formal de castas, todos nosotros necesitamos luchar por una sociedad igual y justa.

Los frailes franciscanos se vistieron con batas azules y cinturones de cuerdas. Les importaron los votos de pobreza, castidad y obediencia.

Erected by San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 29° 21.714′ N, 98° 28.772′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Harlandale. It is on San Jose Dr. The marker is inside the Mission San Jose compound, part of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio TX 78214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers.

Covento*Covento Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 18, 2025

2. Covento*Covento Marker

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rose Window / La ventana Rosa (within shouting distance of this marker); Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Quarters / Los curatos de los indígenas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Church / La iglesia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission San José / La Misión de San José (about 300 feet away); Royal Roads / El Camino Real (about 500 feet away); Mission San José / La misión San José (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named San Antonio Missions / Las misiones de San Antonio (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Convento / El convento (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Rose Window / Ventana de Rosa (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Indian Quarters / Habitaciones de los Indios (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Mission Road / El Camino de las Misiones (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); San Antonio Missions / Las misiones de San Antonio

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(was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The Convento marker replaces the Covent El Convento marker placed by William Fischer March 29, 2010. That marker is no longer at this site.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.