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While San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission is historically important and an active church, visitors are quick to notice the breathtaking beauty of the mission. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del río Carmelo, or the Carmel Mission, is a Roman Catholic church in Carmel established in 1770, and it is one of California’s most significant heritage sites; the mission is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
The centerpiece of the mission complex is Basilica Church, which features a magnificent catenary ceiling, five-foot thick walls, and a collection of Colonial Spanish Liturgical Art. In the Basilica’s forecourt is the Harry Downie Museum with artifacts and interpretive displays about the restoration of the mission. In fact, there are several museums in the mission: Munrás Family Heritage Museum, Convento Museum, and the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery.
3080 Rio Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, 831-624-1271
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