The Presidio, established in 1749 on this site during the Spanish colonial period, was crucial to the development of Texas. Witnessing filibustering expeditions and playing a role in the Mexican war for independence from Spain, the Presidio was the site of the Goliad Massacre on Palm Sunday, March 1836. It played host to one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico after the shocking Texian defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The massacre prompted the rallying cry, "Remember Goliad" heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.
![clock icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-clock.png)
Hours
Open Daily
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Last admission at 4:30 p.m.
![tickets icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-ticket.png)
Tickets
Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1
See the site
![Reenactors firing a canon at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=vNyOWOr7)
![Reenactors at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_02.jpg?h=3fbb0fc2&itok=wHUOgfzy)
![Aerial photo of Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_03.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=GN5m1EDY)
![Chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_04.jpg?h=85875058&itok=azGTlXPF)
![Statue at the top of the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_05.jpg?h=7d45406e&itok=19-Kny5V)
![Inside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_06.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=rbjETWUO)
![Cracked bell inside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_07.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=rxDRJdk6)
![Inside the barracks at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_08.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=V21YdRsX)
![Blacksmith area at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_09.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=gHndTmCS)
![Inside the bishop's quarters at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_10.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=tkef2V_Y)
![Outside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_11.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=6Mi4TTww)
![Canon outside Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_12.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=bZ30yU0-)
![Reenactors firing a canon at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=vNyOWOr7)
![Reenactors at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_02.jpg?h=3fbb0fc2&itok=wHUOgfzy)
![Aerial photo of Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_03.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=GN5m1EDY)
![Chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_04.jpg?h=85875058&itok=azGTlXPF)
![Statue at the top of the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_05.jpg?h=7d45406e&itok=19-Kny5V)
![Inside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_06.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=rbjETWUO)
![Cracked bell inside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_07.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=rxDRJdk6)
![Inside the barracks at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_08.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=V21YdRsX)
![Blacksmith area at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_09.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=gHndTmCS)
![Inside the bishop's quarters at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_10.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=tkef2V_Y)
![Outside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_11.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=6Mi4TTww)
![Canon outside Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_12.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=bZ30yU0-)
![Inside the chapel at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_06.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=EzGhrkwQ)
Plan Your Visit
Find out all there is to do at the site and other area attractions.
![Canon outside Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_12.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=VFdvZuDP)
Presidio la Bahia History
Presidio La Bahía, designated a National Historic Landmark, is considered the world's finest example of a Spanish frontier fort.
![Inside the bishop's quarters at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_10.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=EMpld4AW)
The Quarters
Stay a night or two in one of the few surviving Spanish Colonial Presidios in North America.
![Reenactors at Presidio la Bahia](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Presidio%20la%20Bahia_02.jpg?h=3fbb0fc2&itok=eH_25AJY)
School Tours
During the months of March, April and May, Presidio La Bahia offers free admission to 4th and 7th grade social studies students and their teachers.
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
Donate