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    Espada Aqueduct Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Espada Aqueduct

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    how it all comes together
    Daniel P.

    Nearly three hundred years later this crazy thing still holds water. Sure there's been a little work done - a tuck here, a point there and the whole grouting of the channel thing - but it's still standing and water could run if the gates were opened and it was connected to the river on one end and a field on the other which I'm not sure that it is anymore because I am neither equipped nor provisioned for a nature hike of any significance and it's almost half-past so the gates will close me in if I go too far afield in search of a field. But if it were and I were and there was time then I'd know... I was here almost twenty-five years ago and not much has changed except the roads and parking lot have been improved some. This is a nice place to sit and reflect on how wants have changed over the years but our needs remain the same: a reliable source of food and water.

    Stephen C.

    The Espapa Aquaduct was built by the Spanish in 1745 in order to provide water to the farmland for Mission Espada. This is the only remaining Spanish aqueduct that remains in the United State. An engineering wonder that still provides water to farmland today. The Spanish were also ahead of their time in water conservation in unused water is returned to the San Antonio River. This aquaduct was recognized as a ASCE National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1968. A step back in time and tribute to man's ingenuity.

    Leila R.

    Not much to see except for the ruins of what is left of what looked like a very impressive aqueduct and water mobility system. Worth a quick stop and walk around if you are on your way to Mission Espada, but nothing to go out of the way for. Still, neat to witness the preservation of history.

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    How do you get past the gate it says use Yelp to get in but yep doesn't show anything a code or anything

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    Review Highlights - Espada Aqueduct

    The Spanish were also ahead of their time in water conservation in unused water is returned to the San Antonio River.

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    San Antonio - The Saga

    San Antonio - The Saga

    4.4(33 reviews)
    6.7 miDowntown

    We absolutely loved this. How fun that you can see a free light show and get a history lesson at…read morethe same time. The church itself is beautiful and provides the perfect backdrop to the images. The music that goes along with it seemed to match up and provide the right mood. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the sound system was. At 25 minutes long it was just right for hanging out in the square to check it out. There are small tables - try to get an upfront one for the best view. 100% Recommended!

    Okay, so I showed up with my out-of-town family thinking this was a Christmas light show. Umm,…read morespoiler, it's not. I was pretty disappointed. But now that I know what it actually is, I've got to say it's great for a free downtown show. There's also a parking garage super close, and they've got chairs set up in front of the church, which is helpful. The light show itself is an artistic take on US and San Antonio history from a French artist using laser lights and sounds, but no words. There's also a great deal of religious Catholic symbolism. To be honest, I was lost for a good chunk of it. I wish they'd at least flashed the years they were showing--I couldn't really keep up with the timeframe showing was until they hit Frederick Douglass (I think?), and that was way deep in...but still everything was visually pleasing even if I didn't understand. Tips: 1) If you're sensitive to lights, bring sunglasses like I did to let your eyes adjust. The laser lights are super bright. 2) Check the website before you go. 3) It's not Christmas-y at all, but if you're up for a free 24-minute artsy history vibe, you might enjoy it more knowing ahead of time.

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    San Antonio - The Saga
    San Antonio - The Saga
    San Antonio - The Saga - Before the show

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    Before the show

    The First Inhabitant - The First Inhabitant

    The First Inhabitant

    5.0(2 reviews)
    6.5 miDowntown

    Historic sculpture on the Commerce Street Bridge. Commissioned by the San Antonio Express, Waldine…read moreTauch created a seven foot tall sculpture to honor the Native Americans. Ms. Tauch was a very well known sculptor in Texas. She was paid $1000 for her sculpture. The sculpture features a First Native American in a full headdress holding shallow bowls in each hand. Each bowl served as public drinking fountains at some point. Pause to think about the historical significance and history that happened here as you visit the San Antonio Riverwalk.

    Yanaguana! This is one of my favorite places to hang out…read moredowntown San Antonio. If you can figure out how to get here without a car, this is a great vantage point to see San Antonio, and a great place to start off an adventure downtown. I've always wondered who built this, and Helene S.'s review was quite illuminating! So this sculpture is next to Sebastian's International Torch of Friendship, a maybe 30-40' high red sculpture that's hard to miss. Between this sculpture and that one is the famed Portland Loo- an outdoor free restroom. There's also the elevator that takes you down to the Riverwalk here. Standing on the bridge where this First Inhabitant sculpture is, this is a good spot to eavesdrop on the river cruises below, or just smell the Mexican food coming from Casa Rio. The Indian depicted in this carving must be a Yanaguana Indian chief, as they were the first Indians who were known to inhabit the San Antonio River area thousands of years ago. They covered an area a bit more up river near the University of Incarnate Word down along this river to where the Missions are today. Today, down the street at Hemisfair Park, you'll find Yanaguana Gardens, which celebrates this tribe.

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    The First Inhabitant - The First Inhabitant

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    The First Inhabitant

    Espada Aqueduct - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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