mission san xavier del bac

We visited for our second time in December when my partner's parents came to visit.I'm not sure why a previous reviewer said parking is $3, because the two times we've been here parking has been free and plentiful.The church itself is gorgeous. Very colorful and old murals and someone who is really into historical religious art, would really love this place. When you step into the church it feels like taking a trip back in time and gives a very spiritual feeling regardless of what your beliefs are.There is a gift shop and museum on site and the artifacts are very interesting. There is also food and authentic arts and crafts available across the plaza.Overall, a worthwhile sight to see when in the Tucson area.

A lovely place to imagine life and its surroundings in the times of Father Kino. Beautiful and thoughtful preservation taking place, with much appreciation that it is still a place of active worship and use by the community.

I first visited San Xavier del Bac around 1950 via fat tire bicycle with friends. I've visited this magnificent mission several times since during trips to Tucson and its always a wonderful experience. This recent visit took advantage of the docent-led tour and I highly recommend doing this - very enlightening. And try the fry-bread.

Not worth a special trip from Tucson, but worth a stop if you're headed to Tubac or the Titan Missle museum. Free, but parking is three dollars.

This lovely mission deserves a visit for its beauty and its history. San Xavier's appealing lines and brilliant white exterior are highlighted in its open setting. The interior is highly decorated with colorful murals and sculptures. There is tempting Mexican food for sale in the open plaza and a large parking lot to make access convenient.

The mission is quiet and beautiful... restoration is on going, and be sure to take a tour with one of the excellent guides.

Again, did not go this year but would not go back to 2014. We have been to this Mission a number of times and the restoration is amazing. The history. The reverence. Worth the drive and the time.

Wonderful church...do go see it. Come hungry...there is authentic fried bread sold in the plaza in front of the church plus some homemade Mexican food. They say it is open until 5pm but the some parts close at 4:30pm so go a little earlier.

This mission is just gorgeous in the Arizona desert ...and a must see if you are headed to Tucson. Inside you will find wall murals and paintings from long ago - and beautiful wood carvings everywhere... it is peaceful and quiet and cool inside. Outside you will see workers who are painstakingly doing a beautiful job of renovation... don't miss coming here. You won't be sorry.

This is a very important church, place to Tucson and its history and the people still using it.It is actually on a reservation but you would not know while you are driving to the church.The drive is a dusty nature road but there are clean and plenty of paved parking places once you get there. Of course it is beautiful from the outside. These white walls. NO doubt about it. There is a small souvenir store and to the right of it there is a hill and a hike so you can reach a shrine of some sort. On the grounds right next to the church is a smaller chapel . So you are basically entering an active church. Sisters are working there with the children and so on. Preparations for mass are being arranged and so you have to be respectful. If you are of faith or not. A church needs to be treated with respect. It is a very old building. And holds a lot of different symbols and mixtures. There is an Indian Chief statue and there is Jesu's statue. So you see all is presented. What surprised me and startled me at first was in the church they have a statue of an important priest laying out.At first I thought it was a real body. Of course upon getting closer , once I realized it wasn't a real body, you learn more about this person by reading the labels. But he is decorated with trinkets the people have left for him.People come in, touch him say a prayer , some briefly and some stay and linger and seem to just be in thoughts but with hope he can do a miracle for them. It is not the prettiest church I have ever seen.. there is a lot going on with all the displays etc. But it is unique and the story of course as well. SO yes it is worth seeing it.

History at its best, well preserved and easy access. The mission was established by early Spanish settlers in the 1700's and it has typical Architecture of that period . the church is some what baroque with influences of the Moorish culture of Southern Spain.It is amazing how well everything has been conserved and the devotion of some of the pelgrims visiting the church It is a most see if you are in the area

This 1800s mission is a beautiful white structure in the middle of the desert. It is easy to find right off hwy 19. Our guide had a wealth of historical information. The colors and architecture are unique. It is an active parish. Free will offering is taken. Food prepared by locals served in parking lot.

What a beautiful place to visit. So relaxing. It was great to see them still holding masses on Sunday. We went into the church between services and it was gorgeous inside. I can see why they wanted to restore such a wonderful place. The food vendors outside were nice and helpful. Good food too. I will go back to visit again and again...

Wow! A real step back into history. Totally awed by the detail to art inside the church and environs. The West is skinny on history and this church definitely made you think of life many centuries ago.

I visited this - still active - church in February 2015 and very much enjoyed seeing it. The desk clerk at my hotel had recommended it, and he was right. Dating to around 1800, the church is decorated in a "Mexican Baroque" style, and it stunning inside (and very impressive outside as well.) Brilliant colors inside, brilliant decoration. I tried to take pictures with my automatic camera, but don't know how well they will turn out since the camera couldn't figure out what to focus on.The mission is very easy to get to, you can see if off the highway standing there in all its splendor. It doesn't take much more than a hour to see the whole thing, and that is if you wander the courtyards and visit the small chapel (incredibly hot from all the burning candles) next to the main church as well. There is no admission of course, but I put money in the "Maintenance fund" box and the poor box as well. But well worth the visit, just for the architecture alone.