The essence of Spanish colonial architecture is encapsulated in historical buildings, beautiful brick roads and narrow alleys of St. Augustine city. Time has been standstill here, holding the substance of the 15th-century culture in the nation's oldest city.
Located on the east coast of Florida adjacent to the beach St. Augustine is popular among tourists interested in history or amenable
to know the culture of people who lived here centuries ago. Most of the buildings are renovated to keep the antiquity intact but the structures are still the same.
The city gracefully welcome tourists from the Bridge of Lions, a double-leaf drawbridge guarded with two marble lions. The bridge connects downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island across Matanzas Bay.
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| Bridge of Lions |
There are many museums and galleries in the city like Oldest House Museum Complex, St Augustine History Museum, World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Metalartz Gallery, The Old Jail of St. Augustine. I personally liked hand cast 'oldest wooden schoolhouse' edifice most engaging. Costs $5 for a self-guided tour which includes exhibiting classes, books, meditation rooms stationed with a kitchen and mannequins all over to represent the era of the 1800s. Built by the Genoply family to teach English to the Minorcan children at that time.
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| The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse |
The 17th-century Spanish stone fortress 'Castillo de San Marcos' is another piece of architecture located at the Matanzas Bay inlet. The walls, the cannon and the city view from the top should not be missed. In the fortress they display live cannon action few days in a week, seven days visit is allowed with a one-time ticket of $10.
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| View of city from Castillo de San Marcos |
The Lightner Museum is another must visit for antique lovers, fine art paintings, glassware, historical items everything is displayed here for a fee of $25 and if you are a Downtown Abbey fan (displayed for a limited time) then the whole set is waiting just for you.
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| The Lightner Museum |
St. Augustine is also rich religiously, church buildings built way back in centuries takes you to the roots of the city belief system. Beautiful murals of Cathedral Basilica, charming chandeliers, tiled floors of Memorial Presbyterian Church, rustic look of the Trinity Parish Church and much more. While walking the alleys of the city most of the time my head was tilted upwards just to admire the beauty of ages.
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| Cathedral Basilica |
St. Augustine is known for its glimmering light display during the holiday season which usually stays from Thanksgiving until January end. Millions of lights are displayed all over the city, apart from the historic sites even the hotel and inns all are immersed in the lights. Trolleys are the easiest way to look around the whole city they run both day and night with a charge.
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| Trolley Tours |
Every corner of the St. Augustine gives you an impression of the centuries. We said adieu to the beautiful city with ingrained memories of historical charm.
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