Castillo de San Marcos
Whether
you’re an American history aficionado or just enjoy exploring cool places,
Castillo de San Marcos is the place for you. Even this simple shot of the
entrance drawbridge has a lot going on: ancient coquina at right, 17th century
walls evoking an era of opulence and piracy, artillery trained on imaginary
attackers (who, unfortunately for the Spanish, weren’t imaginary in the 18th
century), the old crest above the entrance. (The crest dates from 1756). And
check out the dry moat. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t used as a moat by
the Spanish, but was rather a place to graze cattle during times of hardship.
Aviles Street
Aviles
Street is one of those perky, “artsy” sections of town that you might not have
explored as thoroughly as the main tourist attractions. It’s home to art
galleries, cafes, stately old homes, an old coquina wall pockmarked with cannonball scars, and the coral pink, impossible-to-miss Spanish Military Hospital.
Here we see the Ximenez-Fatio House, dating from 1798. If you can find a place to
park or don’t mind walking, you can take tours of the house. Just walking
around St. Augustine and knowing that so many things you see date from the days
of Spanish occupation is pretty fascinating in its own right.
(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays
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