Thought to be “The Nation’s Oldest City” St. Augustine was founded in August of 1565 by Florida’s very first Spanish appointed governor, Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Spain arrived off the east coast of Florida at the site of the Timucuan Indian village an entire forty-two years prior to the English colonization of Jamestown in Virginia, making St. Augustine the oldest permanent European settlement on the continent of North America. Florida was finally ceded to the United States through negotiation with Spain in 1821, St. Augustine having been the original capital. Native Americans, Spanish settlers, British soldiers and even pirates have created St. Augustine’s dynamic cultural background that’s been preserved through the city’s many historical sites.
It seems that with every turn you will find yourself in a different place in time within St. Augustine’s historical attractions. Castillo de San Marcos is a Spanish fortress built over 315 years ago, and is the oldest historical site in St. Augustine. The city is also home to The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The park is a 15-acre attraction, where visitors can learn about the first settlers who came here in the 1600s and the native Timucuans they began building communities with. Skip ahead a bit further in time to the St. Augustine Lighthouse built in 1871 and located on Anastasia Island, known for guiding both trade and warships through the years.
Modern times have contributed even more to the wonder of St. Augustine, and all that can be found here. This city has become known for its variety of excellent restaurants that serve unique dishes reflecting the area’s multicultural heritage. A number of museums throughout the city display artifacts that tell the story of how St. Augustine came to be. In addition to the history and dinning, St. Augustine is lined with over 40 miles of beautiful river fronts and ocean shores. The city is also known for its signature bed and breakfast establishments, just helping to highlight the unbelievable experience of St. Augustine’s 450 years of history.
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