We will be in Florida until after the holidays
There is so much to do in St. Augustine, you could spend a month and still not see everything. We did not visit anything related to Ponce de Leon, several other museums, nor the college. We chose a few historic sites that interested us.
The city of St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, namely Pedro Menendez. He and his fellow travelers actually saw land on August 28, the feast of St. Augustine, hence the name. They finally reached the shore on September 8.
The city includes the oldest home, school, parish, drugstore and masonry fort among other things. When you visit each of these things you learn that after the Spanish, control of the city bounced around between the Spanish, British and the Americans until mid 1800s when it finally became a state. St. Augustine was attacked several times and purposely burned to the ground on at least 2 occasions. There is also an interesting history of Native Americans as well as African Americans.
We toured the oldest home which dates back to 1625 and was a simple 2 room house made of coquina, a local rock made of shells. Future residents, all of whom were well-off, made changes and additions to the home. Some rooms were actually removed as well.
Also of note, this is the first time on our trip that Johnny and I got the Senior Citizen discount!!
One of the more interesting stories was about this water filtering system below. The initial owners of the home carried a piece of rock similar to lava on their ship. They found they could filter muddy water through this piece of porous rock to make clear, and almost drinkable, water. The water still needed to be boiled to eliminate bacteria.
When you walk through the historic downtown, you realize that many of the restaurants, bars and shops were originally homes. Several of them are a couple of hundred years old. Part of the downtown is a pedestrian walkway with the occasional tourist trolley riding through. Very fun.
Several of the older homes just outside the shopping district are Bed and Breakfast establishments. At one point close to the turn of the 20th century, St. Augustine became resort town for the wealthy which began the tourism industry that is thriving today.
Just across the main drag in the historic part of town is the fort known as Castillo de San Marcos. It is now run by the National Park Service. Also made of coquina, most of the fort walls are original to 1695. The holes from canon fire are still visible.
The NPS does a wonderful job of explaining the history of the fort under several regimes. They also have a cannon firing demonstration several times per day. This really draws a crowd!!
Finally, the first thing the Spanish did when they landed in St. Augustine in September of 1565 was to celebrate Mass. Johnny and I visited the mission of Nombre de Dios (below) just outside of the shopping district. There is a museum that explains the early history of Catholicism in settling the area, especially describing the relationship with Native Americans. In addition, there is a cemetery, the 7 sorrows of Mary, the shrine to Our Lady of La Leche, and other memorials. It is a peaceful place.
Here is a photo of the recreated Rustic Altar where the first Mass in the New World was celebrated.
Our Lady of La Leche is the patron saint of expectant mothers. Here is a beautiful chapel in her honor.
There is also a dedication to the 450th anniversary of the beginning of the Church in St. Augustine and North America. This cross towers over the city.
Finally, the Basilica of St. Augustine calls itself "America's First Parish", established in 1565. It is located in the historic downtown. The building dates back to the late 1700s as all of the previous buildings had burned down either from attack or natural causes.
I found the interior particularly stunning.
Oops - one more thing. There were too many visitors there to tour, but I couldn't leave without getting shot of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. It's still active!!
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