Interior of San Diego de Alcala Mission, painting by California artist RD Riccoboni. A beautiful vertical painting in warm rich colors of earth towns reflective of the adobe structure and architecture. First of the 21 missions and known as the Mother of the Missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded on July 16, 1769 by Blessed Junipero Serra. The oldest building in San Diego and California and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. Constructed out of adobe by the King of Spain’s orders by the friars and local Indians. Spain had the "right of discovery" to Alta or Upper California but it was not until 1768 when the Russians were seal hunting off the coast of California that King Carlos III of Spain became concerned and made the decision to build settlements. He sent orders to New Spain (Mexico) that expeditions must be sent to Alta California in order to establish Spain's Dominion. It was a political move but the King wanted it to look religious. It was designated as a Minor Basilica in 1976 by Pope Paul VI. The Mission today is an active Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Diego. Give the gift of San Diego Art prints and original art paintings, drawings and art souvenirs by California artist RD Riccoboni