Ronald
Active Member
St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the US. It was founded by Pedro Menendez in 1565. At that time, it's inhabitants were a mere 700 soldiers and colonists. Until 1821 it was under Spanish rule, although it was briefly under British control for 21 years in the 18th century.
The town has a variety of architectural styles. There's tons of (semi-)wooden buildings, which give the town it's "Early New World"-look. Then there's a whole lot of Spanish colonial architecture. The finest buildings in this category, like the Wachovia Bank, appear somewhat Andalusian, as you can cleary see some moorish influences. Also there are a lot of balconies that sometimes make you mistake St. Augustine for New Orleans. I guess those are a Southern thing, as I haven't seen them anywhere else in the US except maybe in other (once Spanish-ruled) states like New Mexico or California. To conclude, there's a good deal of light-colored brick buildings which could have just as well been located in southern France.
Often, several of these styles come together in the same building, which makes for some pretty unique buildings!
Today is is a magnet for tourists. The city claims to be a 'New world city with old world charm'. Although the colonial architecture is indeed very charming, overall I'd say that the town feels very 'disney-like'. I felt more like I was in a theme park than in a genuine city. I guess the hundreds of shops geared towards the dayvisitors are to blame, along with a tourist population that pretty much takes over the city. Tourism is ofcourse omnipresent in Florida, but I still say that St. Augustine is a victim of its own succes.
That said, it is still a very charming old town and obviously it stands apart from any other city in Florida in terms of architecture. Enjoy these!
The visitor's center at the edge of downtown.
City gates.
The main pedestrian-only street, St. George street.
America's oldest wooden school + schoolyard.
Back into town.
The first-floor-balconies hanging over the inner city streets gave St. Augustine a touch of New Orleans.
Perhaps the city's most famous Spanish restaurant, The Columbia.
What strikes me is that these white stone buildings have a perfect natural airconditioning: in the summer, it doesn't get too hot inside and in the winter it doesn't get too cold inside. I'm surprised these buildings aren't more ubiquitous in Florida. It is said that there is a danger of these buildings collapsing in the event of a hurricane, but I don't buy that. If Californians can build homes strong enough to resist earthquakes, Floridians should be able to construct stone homes strong enough to resist hurricanes!
The interior of Columbia.
Along the lagoon.
Now onto the Fortress, or Castillo de San Marcos, on which construction was started in 1672.
Now onto the beautiful campus of Flagler College, which was originally a resort built by Henry Flagler in 1888. Back then the town had a lot of money flowing into its direction as it was an elitist resort city.
A carriage ride remains popular with visitors.
Spanish-inspired streetnames are the norm in inner city St. Augustine.
The first protestant church of St. Augustine.
That's about it, hope you enjoyed!
The town has a variety of architectural styles. There's tons of (semi-)wooden buildings, which give the town it's "Early New World"-look. Then there's a whole lot of Spanish colonial architecture. The finest buildings in this category, like the Wachovia Bank, appear somewhat Andalusian, as you can cleary see some moorish influences. Also there are a lot of balconies that sometimes make you mistake St. Augustine for New Orleans. I guess those are a Southern thing, as I haven't seen them anywhere else in the US except maybe in other (once Spanish-ruled) states like New Mexico or California. To conclude, there's a good deal of light-colored brick buildings which could have just as well been located in southern France.
Often, several of these styles come together in the same building, which makes for some pretty unique buildings!
Today is is a magnet for tourists. The city claims to be a 'New world city with old world charm'. Although the colonial architecture is indeed very charming, overall I'd say that the town feels very 'disney-like'. I felt more like I was in a theme park than in a genuine city. I guess the hundreds of shops geared towards the dayvisitors are to blame, along with a tourist population that pretty much takes over the city. Tourism is ofcourse omnipresent in Florida, but I still say that St. Augustine is a victim of its own succes.
That said, it is still a very charming old town and obviously it stands apart from any other city in Florida in terms of architecture. Enjoy these!
The visitor's center at the edge of downtown.
City gates.
The main pedestrian-only street, St. George street.
America's oldest wooden school + schoolyard.
Back into town.
The first-floor-balconies hanging over the inner city streets gave St. Augustine a touch of New Orleans.
Perhaps the city's most famous Spanish restaurant, The Columbia.
What strikes me is that these white stone buildings have a perfect natural airconditioning: in the summer, it doesn't get too hot inside and in the winter it doesn't get too cold inside. I'm surprised these buildings aren't more ubiquitous in Florida. It is said that there is a danger of these buildings collapsing in the event of a hurricane, but I don't buy that. If Californians can build homes strong enough to resist earthquakes, Floridians should be able to construct stone homes strong enough to resist hurricanes!
The interior of Columbia.
Along the lagoon.
Now onto the Fortress, or Castillo de San Marcos, on which construction was started in 1672.
Now onto the beautiful campus of Flagler College, which was originally a resort built by Henry Flagler in 1888. Back then the town had a lot of money flowing into its direction as it was an elitist resort city.
A carriage ride remains popular with visitors.
Spanish-inspired streetnames are the norm in inner city St. Augustine.
The first protestant church of St. Augustine.
That's about it, hope you enjoyed!
