Mission San Luis was a wonderful find when we visited Tallahassee, Florida in January.
The pamphlet describes it this way:
"A visit to Mission San Luis transports you back in time to a 17th century community where Apalachee Indians and Spaniards are drawn together by religion as well as military and economic purposes. Experience life as it was centuries ago as you tour the Apalachee council house, Franciscan church, military complex and more -- on 63 beautiful acres of north Florida."
This is a living history museum. "Mission San Luis was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. Today the Mission is reconstructed on its original site and brings the past to life with guides in period dress, colonial buildings, exhibits and archaeology."
Below is the roof of the Council House - a huge structure.
It sits on the outside of the circular plaza where Apalachees warriors played a deadly game and Franciscan priests installed the stations of the cross. Quite a mix of two cultures.
Below is the church which is opposite the Council house on the plaza.
Inside the Council house a guide explained what the house was used for.
Special quarters for the Apalachee elite and visiting guests ringed the perimeter.
A fire was always burning necessitating the smoke hole in the roof.
Samples of the food sources.
A reconstruction of a Spanish house was quite a contrast to the native lifestyle.
This guide explained his home and the work he did.
The smith was working.
Palisades around the military barracks.
On guard at the armory doorway.
The Franciscan priest, one of two living with the Apalachees in the late 1600s. He explained that he didn't survive the attack by the English in 1704.
He was responsible for teaching the boys to read. Apalachees boys were included. The hand method taught singing. The church had a boys choir.
The church was undergoing pest remediation so we couldn't visit inside.
Mission San Luis sits on a hill in Tallahassee. A surprising feature of this mostly flat state.
If you go, it is very reasonable: $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Its closed on Mondays.