Mission San Xavier del Bac ("White Dove of the Desert")

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My third stop of the day is an iconic structure in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Mission San Xavier del Bac, built between 1783 and 1979 (when southern Arizona was part of New Spain), has been called the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States. The church is constructed of low-fire clay brick, stone and lime mortar, and is roofed with masonry vaults, making it unique among Spanish Colonial buildings within U.S. borders.

The Mission is an active church, and is a must-see for any visitor to Tucson.







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