Ursuline Academy -- June, 2012
The Hubs and I decided to take a few days to visit our hometown of San Antonio, Texas. We decided to make a point to visit some of the places that we have wanted to see but somehow have failed to make it to over the last few visits. One of those places is the Southwest Craft Center housed in the old Ursuline Academy building. I am sorry to say that we didn't see much of the art and crafts of the center but, instead, got caught up in the history, museum, architecture and beauty of the building and the grounds of the Ursuline Academy. I have included a link at the end of this post if you want to do some more reading on the academy but I think I would like the photos to tell their own story.
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| Lunch at the Copper Kettle, the cafe that is operated in the original dining hall of the school |
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| Original window facing and hardware in rather thick limestone walls |
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| Hallway seating |
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| Old and new -- interesting juxtaposition |
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| French style architecture and light fixture -- and I really shouldn't try for "arty" photos |
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| Fenced Courtyard |
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| Large Courtyard |
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| Rear Grounds |
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| Very large gazebo now used mostly for weddings and special events. |
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| Original wrought iron arched sign |
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| Gate in the back garden with large light fixture |
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| You don't readily see this cross but, when you look up and see it, it seems to be silently watching over the entire campus |
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| Turntable to pass items, probably communion wafers, from inside the convent to the outside world |
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| Gothic window |
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| Grotto |
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| Balcony outside original dormitories |
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Three sided clock tower -- story goes that there was no clock on the north facing side because there was nobody on the north side to see the clock!
For more information on Ursuline Academy check out the website below
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kbu04
www.swschool.org
www.sanantoniogov.historic/Districts/Ursuline_Academy.aspx
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4 comments:
Those were beautiful! I was never on the grounds of Ursline even though I lived close. I really didn't think non-Catholics could do that. ;-)
Thank you for sharing your lovely pics with us.
Nellie
Nellie -- you are welcome. If you find your way back to SA you should visit -- take the time to sit in the area in the rear -- you can't believe the feeling of peace that comes over you. Plus, they have extended the rive rwalk all the way to the Pearl Brewery and it runs right behind the Ursuline property and is so quiet and beautiful.
Thank you very much for sharing the photos of Ursuline Academy. I went to school at the downtown campus from 1957-1958 and then again in 1962 until they closed it and moved us out to the campus on Vance Jackson.
The grotto was my favorite spot.
Anonymous -- you are welcome. I think the grotto was my favorite spot, as well. It was a joy to be able to visit.
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