In the spring of 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon made landfall near present day St. Augustine, becoming one of the first European explorers to set foot on the North American continent. He named the area Florida, after the Easter festival of flowers, or “Pascua Florida.”
St. Augustine itself would be founded decades later by another Spaniard, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, in 1565. The colonists fought and negotiated with the French, the British and Native American tribes for centuries before ceding Florida for a second — and final -- time in 1821, when it became a U.S. territory. In 1845, the conquistadors were gone, and Florida became a U.S. state.
Today, Florida’s Spanish Heritage Trail contains historical colonial sites stretching from Pensacola on the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic coast. With its centuries-old buildings, St. Augustine resembles a town on the Spanish Mediterranean coast more than an American city. The oldest continuously settled city in the United States, St. Augustine predates the British settlement of Jamestown by 42 years.
Castillo de San Marcos
Built in the late 17th century on the orders of Queen Mariana to help prevent the raiding of the city and the Spanish fleet by pirates, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest remaining colonial fort in the U.S. The fort is notable for its design, with distinctive sentry posts, a bell tower and bastions that jut out like points on a star. Its walls are made of coquina, an indigenous soft stone of compacted seashells quarried from nearby Anastasia Island. The thick coquina walls absorbed the canon balls, many of which were dug out to be used against attackers. The Castillo was never captured in battle. Open 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. every day except Christmas, although call for possible extended summer hours. Adults $6, children 15 and under free. 1 South Castillo Drive. 904-829-6506, www.nps.gov/casa/
Old Florida Museum
This is a Florida history museum where visitors are encouraged to touch the exhibits. Hands-on activities are designed to give visitors a feel for the daily lives of Native Americans, slaves and early colonists in the region. Activities include carving a dugout canoe and grinding corna. As of press time, the Old Florida Museum is undergoing a major construction project and settling into a new location, with a grand opening planned for May 15th. Tours for the general public are limited until then, so call ahead for up-to-date info, hours and admission. $10 for adults, children 12 and under $9. 259 San Marco Ave. 800-813-3208, www.oldfloridamuseum.com
The Oldest House Museum Complex
The Gonzalez-Alvarez House is believed to be the oldest surviving home in Florida from the Spanish Colonial era. The house is a National Historic Landmark that has been continuously occupied since the 1600s. The complex contains the Manucy Museum, with exhibits covering four centuries of Florida's history, and the Oldest House Garden, an ornamental walled garden surrounded by Spanish architecture and filled with plants that were typically grown by the original settlers. Guided tours are offered every half-hour between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $8, students $4, children under 6 free. 14 St. Francis St. 904-824-2872, www.staugustinehistoricalsociety.org
The Oldest Wooden School House in the United States
The name says it all -- this is supposedly the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S. Like many dwellings in Florida built in the early 18th century, the tiny cedar building has a detached kitchen, a measure designed to reduce the threat of fire and heat in the main building. Narration of daily life in the classroom is provided by animatronic figures representing the schoolmaster and his pupils. Above the classroom are the quarters where the schoolmaster and his family lived. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Adults $4, children 6-12 $3. 14 St. George St. 888-653-7245, www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Tourists can sip the sulfur-tasting spring water offered by employees dressed in Spanish Colonial garb. Dioramas depict events that occurred on this 15-acre site and a planetarium shows how the stars looked in the night sky as Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon navigated his course in 1513. When he set sail on his fateful journey Ponce de Leon was searching for the island of Bimini and its fabled fountain of eternal youth. He found neither, but he did find this spring and a Timucua Native American village. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Christmas. Adults $9, children 6-12 $5, under 6 free, seniors 60 and over $8. 11 Magnolia Ave. 800-356-8222, www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
Pena-Peck House
This house was built in the mid-18th century during the first Spanish Period in Florida as a home for Spain's Royal Treasurer, Juan Esteban de Pena. A British governor later used it during the British colonial period. Spain regained control of Florida, and the house saw many owners through the years. It was last owned by the Peck family, who donated it to the city of St. Augustine in 1931. Today, the house is open for tours and managed by the Woman's Exchange of St. Augustine. Tours are offered between 12:30 and 4 p.m., Sunday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free (donations accepted). 143 St. George St. 904-829-5064, www.staugustinewomans-exchange.com
IF YOU GO
Stay: Casa Monica. Legendary and luxurious downtown hotel that has played host to many luminaries, including the King and Queen of Spain. Rates start at $159. 95 Cordova St. 904-827-1888, www.casamonica.com
St. George Inn. 25-room boutique hotel within view and walking distance to most of St. Augustine's major sites, including Castillo de San Marcos. Rates start at $119. 4 St. George St. 888-827-5740, www.stgeorge-inn.com
Eat: 95 Cordova. Award-winning, fine dining restaurant specializing in steaks. Located inside the Casa Monica hotel. 95 Cordova St. Entrees $19-$69. 904-810-6810, www.casamonica.com/95cordova
Florida Cracker Café. Casual dining with an array of sandwich and seafood options in the historic district. Entrees $8.95-$24. 81B St. George St. 904-829-8458, www.floridacrackercafe.com
Info: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. 800-653-2489, www.getaway4florida.com
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