The Alamo Cenotaph
The Cenotaph bears the
names and likenesses of
those who died at the Alamo.
The Cenotaph bears the
names and likenesses of
those who died at the Alamo.
The Spirit of Sacrifice
The Cenotaph or "empty
tomb" was the creation of
sculptor Pompeo Coppini and
was completed in 1939.
The Cenotaph or "empty
tomb" was the creation of
sculptor Pompeo Coppini and
was completed in 1939.
The Alamo Cenotaph - San Antonio, Texas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Alamo Cenotaph in San Antonio, Texas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Alamo Cenotaph in San Antonio, Texas
| The Alamo Cenotaph A beautiful memorial to the men who died defending the Alamo against the army of Santa Anna, the Alamo Cenotaph stands adjacent to the old mission. |
Memorial to the Alamo Heroes
Towering 60 feet high and located adjacent
to the surviving buildings of the Alamo itself,
San Antonio's "Alamo Cenotaph" pays tribute
to the men who died defending the ancient
mission in 1836 rather than surrender to
overwhelming odds.
Titled "The Spirit of Sacrifice," the Cenotaph
(or "empty tomb") was created by sculptor
Pompeo Coppini from a design envisioned
by architect Carlton Adams. Begun in 1937,
the Cenotaph took two years to complete and
is itself now a historical treasure.
According to tradition the Alamo Cenotaph
marks the spot where the slain defenders of
the fortified mission were piled after the
battle and burned in great funeral pyres. The
remains were later collected by local citizens
and today located in a marble casket at
nearby San Fernando Cathedral.
Erected through the auspices of the Texas
Centennial Commission, the monument is
sculpted from Georgia marble and stands
upon a base of pink Texas granite.
Seen on the sides of the Cenotaph are
carvings of the Alamo defenders, including
depictions of William B. Travis, Jim Bowie,
David Crockett and James B. Bonham. The
monument also bears the names of men
who died at the Alamo.
In addition, the following inscription can be
found on the revered memorial:
Erected in Memory of the Heroes who
sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6,
1836 in the defense of Texas, "They chose
never to surrender nor retreat, these brave
hearts with flag still proudly waving perished
in the flames of immortality that their high
sacrifice might lead to the founding on this
Texas."
to the surviving buildings of the Alamo itself,
San Antonio's "Alamo Cenotaph" pays tribute
to the men who died defending the ancient
mission in 1836 rather than surrender to
overwhelming odds.
Titled "The Spirit of Sacrifice," the Cenotaph
(or "empty tomb") was created by sculptor
Pompeo Coppini from a design envisioned
by architect Carlton Adams. Begun in 1937,
the Cenotaph took two years to complete and
is itself now a historical treasure.
According to tradition the Alamo Cenotaph
marks the spot where the slain defenders of
the fortified mission were piled after the
battle and burned in great funeral pyres. The
remains were later collected by local citizens
and today located in a marble casket at
nearby San Fernando Cathedral.
Erected through the auspices of the Texas
Centennial Commission, the monument is
sculpted from Georgia marble and stands
upon a base of pink Texas granite.
Seen on the sides of the Cenotaph are
carvings of the Alamo defenders, including
depictions of William B. Travis, Jim Bowie,
David Crockett and James B. Bonham. The
monument also bears the names of men
who died at the Alamo.
In addition, the following inscription can be
found on the revered memorial:
Erected in Memory of the Heroes who
sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6,
1836 in the defense of Texas, "They chose
never to surrender nor retreat, these brave
hearts with flag still proudly waving perished
in the flames of immortality that their high
sacrifice might lead to the founding on this
Texas."
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Alamo Cenotaph stands on Alamo Plaza
in downtown San Antonio, directly in front of
the Long Barrack structure and adjacent to
the Alamo Chapel.
in downtown San Antonio, directly in front of
the Long Barrack structure and adjacent to
the Alamo Chapel.
San Fernando Cathedral
The Alamo Cenotaph marks
the spot where tradition holds
the bodies of the Alamo
defenders were burned. The
remains are now shrined at
nearby San Fernando
Cathedral.
The Alamo Cenotaph marks
the spot where tradition holds
the bodies of the Alamo
defenders were burned. The
remains are now shrined at
nearby San Fernando
Cathedral.
The Alamo
The Death of David Crockett
San Fernando Cathedral
Historic Sites of San Antonio
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
The Death of David Crockett
San Fernando Cathedral
Historic Sites of San Antonio
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
| Photos by Christina Martin |
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| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |