Mission Espada, part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas and moved in 1731, it represents a period when various cultures came together to form the melting pot that is Texas today. The mission showcases the Spanish efforts to colonize, evangelize, and defend the northern frontier of New Spain. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved grounds, the church, and the historical aqueduct system that illustrates the ingenuity of its past inhabitants.