Anyone who knows me well might have noticed that I have a bit of a habit...taking pictures of religious architecture, especially churches and cathedrals. As a confirmed agnostic, I have no idea where this comes from. I have books and books of pictures of religious buildings. Maybe I lived in a Catholic country for a little too long :)Case in point: many, many photos of the San Xavier (pronunciation: ha-vee-air) del Bac Mission south of Tuscon, Arizona. This mission was founded in the late 17th century and built by both Spanish missionaries and the Tohono O'Odham (pronunciation: odd-ham) people. It continues to be used as a church and also contains an interesting museum.
The mission is currently under restoration. Right now the entire west half of the church, including the tower on the left side of the building, is covered by scaffolding. Still, it was a fascinating place to visit. I think that adobe architecture is incredibly beautiful, even when it begins to fall into disrepair.
Notice the dark redish-brown vertical lines down that run down the outside walls of the building. These are drainage downspouts which protect the building from rainstorm. Though the mission is in the middle of a desert (approximately 7" of rain per YEAR) it tends to come in flash-flood bursts.
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