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More
Alamo-Related Attractions in San Antonio
continued
from San Antonio Mini-Site
Alamo Cenotaph
Alamo Plaza, San Antonio
Directly in front of the Alamo stands the Alamo Cenotaph, a monument
to the men who lost their lives in the battle. The marble monument,
designed by Italian-born and Texas-adopted sculptor Pompeo Coppini
was erected in 1939 by the Texas Centennial Commission and includes
all the names of the Alamo defenders. Vehicles are no longer permitted
directly in this area, a gesture of respect for the Native Americans
buried in a cemetery found in front of the chapel.
IMAX Theater at
Rivercenter Mall
849 E. Commerce at Rivercenter Mall, San Antonio
(210) 247-4629, (800) 354-4629
www.IMAX-sa.com
Located at the Crockett Street entrance of Rivercenter Mall, this
IMAX theater is the home of "Alamo - The Price of Freedom."
The story of the fall of the Alamo comes to life on this six-story
screen several times daily. The 45-minute docudrama is one of
the best film versions of the 13-day siege, giving viewers a real
sense of participation in the action.
The film was produced
at Alamo Village in the West Texas town of Brackettville, using
a replica of the Alamo built for the John Wayne film of the same
name. From a rolling thunderstorm over the rugged Texas landscape
to the daybreak siege by Santa Anna's troops, this movie makes
viewers feel as if they are witnessing the fateful battle and
the days leading up to it. When not running "The Price of
Freedom," the IMAX shows other films produced especially
for the big screen.
The Texas Adventure
307 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio
(210) 227-8224
www.texas-adventure.com
This unique theater calls itself the world's first "Encountarium
F-X Theatre," using state of the art technology to move beyond
traditional movie techniques to tell this classic tale. Here you
can see a version of the fall of the Alamo played out with animatronics
and holographic figures. Guests are first ushered into a room
for a six-minute preshow using excellent dioramas to explain the
events that led up to the famous battle. Next, visitors take a
seat on benches where the story comes to life with holographic
versions of Crockett, Travis, and Bowie. The presentation lasts
just under half and hour, and it's suitable for anyone except
very young children. (When Jim Bowie "appeared" out
of thin air, a young child seated near us let loose a scream the
likes of which may not have been heard in these parts since that
fateful battle.)
Plaza Wax Museum
301 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio
(210) 224-9299
www.plazawaxmuseum.com
This museum depicts the famous, from Jesus to John Wayne. The
sculptures are well done and many are displayed in elaborate sets
featuring movie scenes. Alamo visitors will appreciate the "Heroes
of the Lone Star" exhibits on the fateful battle.
San Fernando Cathedral
115 Main Plaza, San Antonio
(210) 227-1297
For many years, folks believed the San Fernando Cathedral was
the final resting place of the defenders of the Alamo. A Spanish
church was built at this site in 1738 by the city's Canary Island
colonists. Here Santa Anna raised a flag of "no quarter"
before he stormed the Alamo, signifying to the Texians that he
would take no prisoners. In 1873, following a fire after the Civil
War, the chapel was replaced with the present-day construction.
Although a tomb holds the remains of some unknown soldiers, modern
historians do not believe these were the bodies of the Alamo defenders
because evidence of military uniforms, never worn by the Texians,
has turned up among the remains.
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