Plaza de la
Constitucion
America's Oldest
Public Park
Located at the heart
of America's oldest city, the Plaza de la Constitucion has been a center of life in St. Augustine, Florida since the 16th century.
The oldest public park in the United States, the plaza was established by Spanish Royal Ordinances in 1573, thirty-four years before the English settlers of Jamestown waded ashore in Virginia.
The original orders establishing the plaza required that it be oriented toward the primary compass points with a length equal to one a one-half times its width.
During the Spanish era, the public and government buildings of St. Augustine were constructed facing the plaza, which was a center for public activity in the city.
Among the structures still standing around the plaza is the historic Government House. Built during the years 1706-1713, the building served as the home of Florida's Spanish governors. In 1823 it briefly served as the capitol of the Florida Territory and in 1862 it was here that Union officers took possession of St. Augustine during the Civil War.
Also facing the plaza is the Cathedral- Basilica of St. Augustine. Constructed during the years 1793-1797, the historic church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 and is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine.
On the plaza itself can be found a number of historic sites. Among these are an old public well that dates from the 1600s, the historic market place structure, a monument to Confederate veterans and 19th century monument to the Spanish Constitution of 1812.
The Plaza de la Constitucion has been the scene of important ceremonies and gatherings throughout the history of St.
Augustine.
The oldest public park in the United States, the plaza was established by Spanish Royal Ordinances in 1573, thirty-four years before the English settlers of Jamestown waded ashore in Virginia.
The original orders establishing the plaza required that it be oriented toward the primary compass points with a length equal to one a one-half times its width.
During the Spanish era, the public and government buildings of St. Augustine were constructed facing the plaza, which was a center for public activity in the city.
Among the structures still standing around the plaza is the historic Government House. Built during the years 1706-1713, the building served as the home of Florida's Spanish governors. In 1823 it briefly served as the capitol of the Florida Territory and in 1862 it was here that Union officers took possession of St. Augustine during the Civil War.
Also facing the plaza is the Cathedral- Basilica of St. Augustine. Constructed during the years 1793-1797, the historic church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 and is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine.
On the plaza itself can be found a number of historic sites. Among these are an old public well that dates from the 1600s, the historic market place structure, a monument to Confederate veterans and 19th century monument to the Spanish Constitution of 1812.
The Plaza de la Constitucion has been the scene of important ceremonies and gatherings throughout the history of St.
Augustine.
Within the space of say six blocks on both sides of the street, there were 14 significant locations, markers, monuments, National Register of Historic Places, Civil Rights sites, and so on. I'll be posting about each of them I found.
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