Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio

Spanish Governor's Palace is considered a national historic landmark. The stately building was constructed in the eighteen century and was originally built to protect the nearby Alamo mission and a growing colony. Part of the building's historical significance rests in it being the only example of an aristocratic Spanish house that is left in Texas. The building has been praised by numerous historical societies and was once identified as the most beautiful building in San Antonio. Most theories suggest that the Spanish Governor's Palace was constructed in the 1720's and has been used for various reasons over the years. The building is located near both downtown and the San Antonio River Walk. The Spanish Governor's Palace is one story tall and consists of ten grand rooms with very low ceilings and doorways. The walls and doors in the palace are about 2 feet thick and attest to the firm structural integrity of Spanish Colonial buildings constructed during that time. Each room in the palace is decorated with furnishing from the period that depicts the type of upper-class life the aristocrats who owned the palace once lived. The palace also has a cobblestone courtyard that is adorned with a fountain and shaded by trees. The most ornate decoration at the Spanish Governor's Palace is found on a keystone that hangs above the front doors. It is an ornate sculpture of an eagle with a simple version of the coat of arms of King Ferdinand VI of Spain.

When the Spanish Governor's Palace was originally built, its main purpose was to protect the Alamo Mission but eventually the palace became the place where the Texas government resided. In 1772, the old palace was established as the capital building in the Texas region for the Spanish province. The palace has also served as a shop, barroom, and even a schoolhouse. Because the building is beautifully simple, it has the ability to convert into multiple spaces. One of the most peculiar aspects of the Spanish Governor's Palace is the recorded ghost sightings that have occurred inside the palace and courtyards. Visitors can attend a ghost tour of the place that tells the story of early Spanish America. The ghost sightings are connected to a small girl who was buried in the interior of the palace's walls.

Visitors are permitted to enter the Spanish Governor's Palace for a nominal fee. Adults are charged $2 and children are only charged $1. Tours of the facilities are self-guided. Touring the Spanish Governor's Palace gives visitors a chance to learn about both Spanish and Texas political history. Visitors who desire a more in-depth tour of the palace are encouraged to come on the last Sunday of the month. During this time, a living history group called the La Compania de Cavalleria shares information with visitors about the palace's history.

Today, the Spanish Governor's Palace serves as a tribute to Spanish life in the 18th century. Tourists who enter the palace doors feel as if they have taking a step back in time. The property is currently owned by the city of San Antonio in 1928 and maintained as a historical museum.