Discovering History in St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida is oldest continuously populated city in the whole United States. Founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles back in 1565, St. Augustine lies in the northeast section of the state and is extremely rich in history, heritage and culture. If you’re visiting the northeast part of Florida, then a visit to St. Augustine is a must! Walk through the narrow streets of this walled city and find yourself going back into history with the many historical attractions that the city has to offer. Here are just some of the few wonderful historical sites in St. Augustine:

The Oldest Wooden School House
Located near the city gates, the Oldest Wooden School House Was built approximately in the early 1700s. The school used was shared by girls and boys, and had an upstairs floor which housed the schoolmaster and his family.

The Gonzalez-Alvarez House
Also called the Oldest House, this home dates back to the Spanish occupation and was designated as a historic landmark back in the 1970s. Today, this home is run by the St. Augustine Historical Society and is open for visitors and tours.

The King’s Bakery
Built during the English occupation of the city, this coquina stone structure is located in Marine Street and is open for tours and visitors. The King’s Bakery is the only structure built during the British occupation that is left standing today. Aside from being a bakery, it has been used as a military hospital, office, garage and flour storeroom over the decades.

The Lightner Museum
The building was built during the 1887 and was designed following the Spanish Renaissance style. The building was once known as the famous Hotel Alcazar, but now houses antique items of fascination, mostly from the American Victorian Era.

Casa Monica Hotel
The Casa Monica Hotel opened in 1888 and is one of the oldest hotels in the country. Today it still operates as a hotel and holds a Four Diamond award from the AAA.

Zorayda Castle
Built during the Flagler Era, Villa Zorayda or Zorayda Castle was an experimental structure inspired by the Alhambra fortress in Granada, Spain. The villa houses lavish interior details, hardwood furniture and windows of different shapes and sizes.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
Located in Castle Warden (which was built in 1887), which was purchased by Ripley by 1949. In 1950, it opened as the first of the many Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditoriums all around the world.

Alligator Farm
Florida is popular for its alligators, and the best place to check it out is the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, which is one of the oldest Zoological farms in the country. It houses more than 20 species of crocodiles and numerous reptiles and mammals as well.

St. Augustine is home to more than just these historical spots. Whether you’re interested in historical items or artifacts or perhaps Spanish architecture, you will certainly find something to do and see in the city. Truly, St. Augustine is a treasure trove of historical spots waiting to be discovered and experience.

Author Bio: So if you’re tired of the typical beach vacation, then maybe a trip to the historical city of St. Augustine. Book a stay in any of the St. Augustine Villas and rentals in the city today.

Category: Travel
Keywords: st. augustine, st. augustine villas

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