On the scene // out+about A travel companion for points near and far
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t. Augustine means something different to everyone and just to show you how diverse the city can be, Style’s writers teamed up to share some of their favorite locations. We also invite you to tell us about your special St. Augustine places on our Facebook page!
MARY ANN’S FAVORITE:
AT THE BRIDGE OF LIONS
ST. AUGUSTINE: DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES If you have never discovered this Atlantic coast treasure or it has been awhile since you’ve visited, you may be surprised by the stunning architecture, culinary delights, family-friendly festivities, and an amazing history that has influenced Florida for 450 years. STORY+PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS, SHEMIR WILES, AND TINA MORRISON
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It’s hard to pick one favorite spot in St. Augustine, but the most surprising “find” for me was the Villa Zorayda, formerly known as the Zorayda Castle, located at 83 King Street. The history surrounding this 1883 building is just as fascinating as its Moorish architecture, which motivated Henry Flagler and others to conform to the city’s Spanish architectural heritage. It is also considered the first example of “fantasy architecture” in Florida — a precursor, so to speak, for Disney World. Inspired by the 12th Century Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, Boston architect Franklin W. Smith built Villa Zorayda as his winter residence. No detail was spared — most notably the cast plaster work that matches the Alhambra’s. The Moorish horseshoe arches and columns also are exact replicas of those in the famous Court of Lions found in Spain’s iconic palace. Now a museum, Villa Zorayda is filled with unique antiquities like a tent warmer and a 2,400-year-old sacred cat hair rug from Egypt. Smith’s legacy, however, is just as fascinating. Truly a Renaissance man, he was the founder of the YMCA and an early preservationist in St. Augustine. On the National Register of Historic Places, Villa Zorayda was closed in 2000 for nearly eight years for extensive and detailed renovations. The hokey, touristy look of the 1960s has been replaced by an elegant venue that is popular for weddings and special events. The best time to see Villa Zorayda is during the holiday season when evening candlelight tours give the rooms an ethereal glow that seemingly transports visitors into a classic Washington Irving tale from The Alhambra.
