The presidio was originally located at Matagorda Bay in 1721 before being moved to its current Goliad site in 1749.
The site contains the grave of Fannin’s men, the victims of the Goliad Massacre, located nearby at the Fannin Memorial Monument.
The Our Lady of Loreto Chapel is one of the oldest churches in Texas and has been in continuous use since the 18th century.
During the Texas Revolution, the fort was captured by Texian forces in October 1835 before the Battle of the Alamo.
The current stone walls and structures are largely the result of a significant restoration effort funded by the Kathryn O'Connor Foundation in the 1960s.
It is one of the few places in North America where visitors can walk through a functional 18th-century Spanish colonial military garrison.
The fort was strategically placed to protect Spanish interests from French encroachment moving out of Louisiana.
Presidio la Bahía is the only fully restored Spanish presidio in the United States, originally established in 1749. It served as a strategic military post for the Spanish Empire and later played a pivotal role in the Texas Revolution. The site encompasses a reconstructed stone fort and the active Our Lady of Loreto Chapel. It is the location where Colonel James Fannin and his troops were held as prisoners before the 1836 Goliad Massacre. Visitors can explore the museum, which houses artifacts recovered from the fort's excavation, and walk the grounds that overlook the San Antonio River. The chapel remains a functioning Catholic church, holding regular religious services. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. It offers a unique architectural example of colonial frontier defense construction.
The interior courtyard looking toward the archway of the Our Lady of Loreto Chapel.
Check the schedule for special reenactment events, which often include musket firing demonstrations.
Walk the short trail behind the fort for a view of the San Antonio River and the surrounding landscape.
Visit the nearby Fannin Memorial Monument while you are in the area to understand the full context of the site's history.
Do not attempt to climb or sit on the historic stone walls, as they are preserved heritage structures.
Closed on major holidays and occasionally for private religious services in the chapel.
Maintain a respectful demeanor inside the chapel, as it remains an active religious site.
