Mission San Xavier del Bac

Photo

by Steve and Kimberly Rader

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Mission San Xavier del Bac, often referred to as the "White Dove of the Desert," is a historic Spanish Catholic mission located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, a Jesuit missionary, it is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. The current building, constructed between 1783 and 1797, showcases a blend of Spanish Colonial and Moorish architectural styles. Renowned for its richly decorated interiors, the mission features intricate frescoes, statues, and carvings that reflect the artistry of the Native American and Spanish artisans who built it.

Also check out

Saguaro National Park

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Cathedral of Saint Augustine

Old Tucson Studios

Pima Air & Space Museum

Biosphere 2