Mission San Luis de Apalachee is a historic site located in Tallahassee, Florida. It was established in the 17th century by Spanish Franciscan missionaries and served as a center for religious and cultural exchange between the Spanish and the Apalachee Indians. The mission was built on a hill overlooking a large village of Apalachee Indians, and it was surrounded by a wooden palisade for protection.
The mission complex included a church, a convent, a granary, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter's shop, and a hospital. The church was the centerpiece of the mission, and it was decorated with colorful frescoes and religious statues. The convent housed the friars who ran the mission, and it also served as a school for the Apalachee children. The granary stored the mission's food supply, while the blacksmith and carpenter shops produced tools and other items needed by the mission.
The Apalachee Indians who lived at the mission were taught Spanish and Catholicism by the friars. They also learned new agricultural techniques and crafts, such as weaving and pottery-making. The mission was a thriving community, with a population of over 1,400 people at its peak.
In the 18th century, the mission was abandoned due to disease and attacks by other Indian tribes. The site was eventually rediscovered in the 20th century and has since been restored and preserved as a museum. Visitors can explore the mission complex and learn about the history and culture of the Apalachee Indians and the Spanish missionaries who lived there. The site also hosts special events and educational programs throughout the year.
