While researching the California Missions, I came across a unique and beatiful mission located just south of Carmel, California near Monterey. I am familiar with this mission, having been there when I was younger, but did not truly realize its intriquete design until my research. This piece of architecture relates to my study of humanities because it is a direct reflection of California and Latin America's legnthy history and what makes Californians culturally sound.
While viewing San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo I first notice its Roman, Spanish, and Moorish influence. San Carlos Borromeo is named after Charles Borromeo, then Archbishop of Milan, Italy. It served as the headquarters of Father Junipero Serra. The mission is made of adobe. The mission is comprised of warm bage tones with a rough texture, although the texture was probably smoother when the mission was constructed. The shape of the entrance and the two protruding towers on each side is typical of architecture found in Italy and Spain. The star above the entrance, which distingushes this mission from the others resembles the rose windows found in gothic architecture. The mission is roughly stable from left to right.
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, is a representation of the Spanish Conquest and the desire of the conquistadors to convert Native Americans into Christian faith abiding citizens. The reason these missions were created was for the reason stated above. All of the missions resemble a similar Spanish influenced style. It is evident that they were disigned as a type of instutuion serving for a higher purpose, educationally, culturally, and religiously. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo is perhaps the best example of serving as a muti-complex church and instituion.
I was led to this magnificent piece of history and art not only because I was moved by it upon first sight, but because it encompuses every intention of the Spanish Missionaries. When I look at this work of art I think of what it might look like had it not been raided in 1818 by a French privateer. It was restored 45 years later, but lacks its original authenticity. When I view this mission I feel a sense of pride, being a native California. I feel this way because I know how much dedication was injected into this mission. It is evident the amount of dedication that was put foward, because of the many architecual designs that were incorporated. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo is a step in a long stairway of California history.
Despite extensive information provided about the mission, there certain things I would still like to know. Why was the mission named after an archbishop from Milan, Italy? Are their any connections between Northern Italy and Spain or California that might have led to the inspiration for the name? On November 20, 1818, French Privateer Hipolito Buchard attacked San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, what was his motive and what was the Roman Catholic Church's response?
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