Saint Augustine: The ideal place to celebrate Hispanic Culture and Heritage
SOURCE: St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau
Translated by Lessie Correa
SAINT AUGUSTINE, Florida, August 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/–Hispanic Heritage Celebration is upon us and the best opportunity to celebrate it is visiting Saint Augustine—right on the Historic Coast of Florida—the place where the influence of Hispanic heritage started in the United States. The Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded Saint Augustine in 1565. And after more than four centuries, Hispanic influence is still evident on its streets, historical places, bars, hotels and restaurants.
Visitors who wish to celebrate Hispanic heritage with relatives and friends, or those who desire to learn more about the influence this culture has had in the culture of the country, may enjoy learning more about those people who built this city and called it their home centuries before it became part of the USA.
- Colonial Quarter (29 St. George Street): This two-acre interactive museum shows three centuries of Saint Augustine’s history. Visitors can get to know historical characters (in costume), shoot a musket, climb to the top of the XVII-century tower, or have some refreshing drinks at the Horse Tavern.
- San Marcos Castle (1 Dr. S. Castillo): This imposing fortress which took 20 years to build (1672-1695) helped protect the treasures—from pirates and the British—that the Spanish fleet carried to Spain.
- Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park: (11 Magnolia Ave.): Commemorating the Spanish explorer Ponce de León’s discovery of Florida and his legendary search for the Fountain of Youth, archeologists have discovered that this is the precise place for the original Spanish settlement in Saint Augustine in 1565.
- Casa González-Álvarez (14 St. Francis St.): “The oldest house” was built around 1702 and belonged to the soldier Tomas Gonzalez. Nowadays, it belongs to the Historic Society of Saint Augustine and is open to the public.
- Name of God Mission (27 Ocean Avenue): On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded Saint Augustine. On that day, Father Francisco Lopez said the first sacred mass, making this colony into the first catholic parish in the nation.
- Constitution Square: Established in 1573, the square is named to honor the Spanish Constitution of 1812.
Visit this page to gather photos of this historic destination and information on the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month. The Historic Coast of Florida is the ideal destination to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Information about the Historic Coast of Florida
Located halfway between Daytona Veach and Jacksonville, the Historic Coast of Florida includes the historic Saint Augustine, exceptional golf courses, the coastal elegance of Ponte Vedra and 42 miles of virgin Atlantic beaches. For more information, call 1.800.653.2489 or visit www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or visit us through Instagram @VijaSanAgustin, Facebook.com/ViajaSanAgustin.
