Many believe that the Alamo is the heart of San Antonio, but in reality San Fernando Cathedral wears that crown.

I’ve written about the history of San Fernando Cathedral in an earlier blog, so the purpose of this tome is to encourage you to find your way over to San Fernando Cathedral.

In fact, those who are at loose ends on this eve of Christmas might want to consider Midnight Mass at the cathedral. A Carol Service will kick off the celebration of Christ’s birth at 11 p.m.

Thanks to the leadership of San Antonio’s former mayor, Phil Hardberger, the area in front of San Fernando Cathedral has been transformed into a pedestrian-only plaza that leads down to the River Walk. The cathedral and its surrounding area are definitely on my Top Ten San Antonio must-see destinations.

Don’t miss the Bruni Family Garden, City Centre Cafe (free WiFi served with soups, salads, sandwiches and Mexican Food), and the San Fernando Cathedral Gift Shop while you’re there.

When Pope John Paul II was in San Antonio in the mid-’80s and gave Mass at San Fernando, he said that he knew he was in the U.S., but he felt like he was in Mexico. He was. The Mexican and Spanish roots of San Antonio are deepest at San Fernando. Don’t miss it.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!