What is the Alamo?

The Alamo is a historic Spanish mission and fortress located in San Antonio, Texas. Originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, it was founded in the early 18th century by Spanish Franciscan missionaries and served as a religious outpost and a military garrison for the Spanish colonial government in Texas.

The Alamo is best known for the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836, during the Texas Revolution. A small group of Texan defenders, led by famous figures such as William Barret Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett, held off a much larger Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna for several weeks before eventually being defeated. The siege and battle of the Alamo became a rallying cry for the Texan cause and helped galvanize support for the eventual Texan victory and independence from Mexico.

Today, the Alamo is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Texan history and identity. It features various exhibits and museums that narrate the story of the mission, the battle, and the people involved in these events. The iconic structure of the Alamo, with its distinctive chapel and long walls, continues to hold a significant place in Texan culture and history.