La Villita: From Battlefield to Beauty
Today, dear blog readers, we will visit an area once San Antonio’s first neighborhood and the site where in 1836 General Santa Ana established a line of canons to fire upon the Alamo. La Villita has come a long way from the primitive huts which sat there in the early 1800s to a cozy,stone village now housing the city’s art community. Each small shop reveals treasures of paintings, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, and other pieces created by local residents and sometimes even fashioned where visitors can watch them hard at work. It is easy to see the influences of the German and French immigrants who moved into the area in the late 19th Century and of course the rich heritage from Mexico so near to us.
Despite shopping, La Villita is known for weddings! The Little Church of La Villita is a popular venue and we saw two back to back weddings just while we shopped the area! For a moment, visitors feel like they are walking through small town America with all the beauty and charm of a close knit community. It’s hard not to think of yourself as a guest at these small weddings where family members greet those walking by.
I plan to take you up close and personal to a couple of the boutique owners next week, but for now, here is slice of the La Villita pie which hopefully will leave you wanting more. After visiting the shops, and a hot coco from La Villita Café, then head down to the Riverwalk through the Arneson Theater…there might even be a show going on, but, if not, in quite times you can watch the river barges drifting by as tourists are introduced to the city.
Tomorrow, I plan to sum up this incredible weekend with some bits & pieces and a tribute to The Fairmount Hotel!
Those cowboy boots are gorgeous!
Love this! Now I can say I visited Texas… thanks for the peek into your world. xo
It looks incredible! Now I want to visit….
Great photos! The woman in the red hat is adorable – I love her style!
Gorgeous pics! La Villita is one of my favorite spots downtown.
I love it when I catch spontaneous weddings in action. it's so fun to people watch as the bride and groom and attendants scurry about!
And, seriously, San Antonio should hire you to promote the city with jealous blog readers from colder northern climates. Want to go badly to SA!
Beautiful pictures. That blue top is so beautiful! I would've had to have it for sure.
Thank you so much for sharing your photos.
That blue chair made me so happy. Can't explain it.
xo,
Tracy
Oh, such beautiful photos. I WILL visit this city some day!!!!
Happy Holidays Pam! I love the scarf and your getaway looks fantastic!
This looks like a wonderful neighborhood, and your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
What a beautiful city! I might have to consider this for a future vacation! Feliz Navidad to you, Pam!
Great photos!! You look so cozy…love the scarf. Have a wonderful time, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!