Mission Santa Barbara

The Mission Santa Barbara was the tenth mission founded and is located in present day Santa Barbara, California. The architecture of the church itself is more refined and less primitive than some of the other missions, which I found rather generic, and the sculpture and artwork, while nice, is also more baroque and neoclassical with less influence from the local traditions. I enjoyed the architecture of the cemetery and quadrangle more in addition to the small museum which provides detailed information on the different craft work of the natives. The most interesting feature of the mission however is the original laundry or lavanderia, built in 1806 by the local Chumash Indians. This laundry and accompanying fountain was fed by extensive waterworks including aqueducts and two reservoirs, one of which is still used today as a part of the Santa Barbara water system.

View of bell tower from within cemetery, Mission Santa Barbara, California

View of bell tower from within cemetery, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Original entry into cemetery, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Original entry into cemetery, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Morton Bay Fig Tree from Australia planted in 1890, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Morton Bay Fig Tree from Australia planted in 1890, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Painted wooden door in quadrangle, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Painted wooden door in quadrangle, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Lavanderia, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Lavanderia, Mission Santa Barbara, California

End of lavanderia, constructed and carved by Chumash Indians in 1806, Mission Santa Barbara, California

End of lavanderia, constructed and carved by Chumash Indians in 1806, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Moorish fountain with lavaderia below, 1808, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Moorish fountain with lavaderia below, 1808, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Painting of Fray Junipero Serra, Mission Santa Barbara, California

Painting of Fray Junipero Serra, Mission Santa Barbara, California