San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral, San Antonio
San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
4.5
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
About
This cathedral was built in 1873 to replace the original founded more than one hundred years earlier.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
Best nearby
Restaurants
844 within 3 miles
Domingo Restaurant
301
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Biga on the Banks
1,596
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Bohanan's Prime Steak and Seafood
1,789
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
La Panaderia
466
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Zocca Cuisine D'Italia
1,855
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Ostra at Mokara Hotel and Spa
1,100
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
The Original Blanco Cafe
509
0.3 mi$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
Esquire Tavern
1,469
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Gluten Free Options
Las Ramblas
585
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Acenar
2,001
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
Attractions
166 within 6 miles
Main Plaza
606
134 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Spanish Governor's Palace
252
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Bexar County Courthouse
108
206 ftHistoric Sites • Government Buildings
San Antonio River Walk
26,707
0.3 miScenic Walking Areas
Majestic & Empire Theatres
1,288
0.2 miTheaters
The Alamo
19,408
0.5 miHistoric Sites • History Museums
Briscoe Western Art Museum
845
0.3 miArt Museums • History Museums
Tower Life Building
28
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers
St. Mary's Catholic Church
52
0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals
San Antonio River
3,658
0.3 miBodies of Water
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,063 reviews
Excellent
1,522
Very good
465
Average
68
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Diana B
69 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
On a recent visit to San Antonio my family (sister and two teens) visited this Cathedral both during the day (to appreciate the architecture, stained glass and the holy atmosphere) and during the evening light/music show. We attended a 9 pm show on a Tuesday evening and we’re absolutely captivated. We enjoyed some budget-friendly banana splits (from Amigos across the street) and were enthralled by the history of Texas as told by pictures and music. The show was less than 30 minutes and absolutely worth the time!
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
reiterr2019
Bellevue, NE7 contributions
May 2021
This 25-minute lazer light show is a must, detailing the Texas saga on the historical San Fernando Cathedral. It is free and worth the time. You need to check times and days before gathering in front of the cathedral as it is shown on Tuesday evenings and weekends at 9, 9:30 & 10 PM in Spring and Summer. Times change in winter.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
T S
Tennessee82 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We attempted to find this one night only to get lost and when we did make it the show had been cancelled. So on our last night there we attempted again with better directions. This light show was amazing. It was like a history lesson in pictures and lights. And although I'm not a Texan I could enjoy the beauty of what was displayed...
Written November 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LaurenFromMich
Canton, MI73 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
The light show titled The Saga is back on! It is approximately 20 to 25 minute show showing the history of San Antonio, with music to go with it. Worth it. We went on a Saturday night and the times were 9 PM, 9:30 PM, and 10 PM. Not sure about other days and times. It is free.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bevov
Birmingham, AL95 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Gorgeous church - it was a stop on our Segway tour and was stunning inside. We made it just before they closed for the day and was happy we could enjoy the historical beauty inside and out. Do yourself a favor and swing by for a visit!
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jenifer N
Omaha, NE85 contributions
Aug 2021
What a beautiful piece of history that is still functioning as a Catholic Cathedral! Went during the day so that we could experience the sun through the stained glass windows and see the beauty inside. This is also where the sarcophagus is located for the Heros of the Alamo. We returned for the light show at night, which was about 20 minutes of captivating history through light and music.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jamusaba
Florida358 contributions
Apr 2022
Liked viewing this church for the historical significance . In the entry you can see a silver colored coffin with an inscription that states the remains of Davy Crockett and Travis are there. Inside the church by the retablo there is a lovely mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the gold central altar.
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JusMeLisa
Oahu, Hawaii, USA27 contributions
Feb 2020
Great show about the history of Texas projected on the San Fernando Cathedral. Super creative production. Also, nice to see so many people, visitors and locals alike taking time out to watch the show
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN1,811 contributions
May 2020
This is a very pretty and very old Catholic Church that we got to visit on our last trip to San Antonio. The cathedral is very easy to walk to from downtown San Antonio and it's beautiful from a an architectural perspective. The design is fairly simple inside, but it's still beautiful and it was a nice to pray and to spend some time inside this cathedral. It's the oldest cathedral in Texas and one of the oldest in the country and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karen
Oxford, AL7 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
The cathedral is beautiful anytime but the laser light show at night is fantastic. Go a little early and sit st one of the tables in te plaza area across from the church. It's a full 20 minute light show with sound effects and music. Great entertainment for all ages.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MaryLouise2010
Richardson, TX31 contributions
Are wheelchairs available?
shields1954
Tuscaloosa, AL252 contributions
I didn’t see any. The area is flat but the entrance to the cathedral is probably too narrow for a wheelchair. I would call the ticket booth/ gift shop to ask. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific.
kingnothing69
San Antonio, TX1 contribution
Is there parking?
karrots
San Diego, California15 contributions
There wasn’t parking right at this plaza, but the nearest lot (at 205 W. Nueva Street, San Antonio) is pretty close (within 5 mins) and a pretty level easy walk.. You might get lucky and find some good nearby street parking, but there isn’t much on this block.
keltrinswife
Dublin, OH21 contributions
Is this walkable from the Riverwalk? Do they have the show every night?
Lisa B
Texas1,235 contributions
You can walk there from the Riverwalk. It’s approximately 2.5 blocks.
The light show is free and open to the public. It is displayed on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 pm, 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm and lasts 24 minutes.
Tracy T
Katy, TX5 contributions
What are the visitation hours of the church & the Saga days & times? I cant seem to find any visitation/tour schedule or about the light show viewings. Thanks
JarzenAtl
34 contributions
The light show is at 9, 9:30 and 10pm on Tuesday, Thurs, Friday, Sat and Sun. There is no "tour" of the cathederal that I know of, it is pretty much self guided. Times are during the day..believe open like 9 to 5. Sundays would not be a good day to go as services would be in session. The light show is amazing, worth seeing 2x.
Is the light show year round?
Rachel Y
39 contributions
The following should answer your question re days and times of light show.
French artist Xavier de Richemont stands before San Fernando Cathedral as his visual art, called 'San Antonio|The Saga,' is projected on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. The film visually narrates the historical ... more
San Antonio | The Saga • debuts 9 p.m. Friday • San Fernando Cathedral
World renowned French artist Xavier de Richemont has spent the last two weeks in San Antonio putting the final touches on “San Antonio | The Saga” a 24-minute video collage of images set to music to be projected onto the facade of San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, as a tribute to the local culture and history.
The video collage debuts 7-11 p.m. Friday (first showing at 9 p.m.).
For the next 10 years, weather permitting, it’s scheduled to run 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on San Fernando Cathedral at Main Plaza.
Will the light show be showing Dec 31 2016
LTMiranda
Luzon, Philippines1,196 contributions
It appears that there is a light show on New Year's weekend per Main Plaza website
Is there a light show today i was told it was called a posada
Gretchen P
Ohio155 contributions
The light shows at the cathedral are Tuesdays , Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:00 pm. A posada is something different. It is a parade that takes place during the Christmas holiday period.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
- San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral is open:
- Sun - Sun 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Mon - Fri 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- We recommend booking San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral tours on Tripadvisor
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