Celebrate 450

There is a sacred current running through the history of St. Augustine that draws thousands each year to the Oldest City. It’s the site of the first Christian settlement and the home of two holy touchstones: the and . When first spotted land on August 28, 1565, he placed a small wooden cross in the soil on what was the feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Among the 800 people carried to the New World from Spain were four diocesan priests who celebrated the first Mass and ministered to the new settlers. He founded the new colony, , at …

Compassionate St. Augustine, the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, Flagler College, and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida will present Obelisk Art 450 commemorating the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.  public art project will formally open on First Friday Art Walk, September 4 from 5:30-9pm. The exhibit, located at 48 Sevilla Street in historic downtown St. Augustine, will remain on display through Friday, September 18. The public is invited to attend, and there is no charge. The Obelisk Art 450 Tour of Compassion is a collection of 25 eight-foot-tall obelisks embellished by professional artists and completed for a public …

City Gate & Cubo Defense Line Castillo de San Marcos National Monument St. George Street & Orange Street Intersection The City Gate was once the only entrance to St. Augustine from the north. As part of the Cubo Defense Line, it served as the northern border of the “walled city” from the Castillo de San Marcos to the San Sebastian River. The City Gate and this portion of the Cubo Defense Line were reconstructed in the early 1800s. 1 South Castillo Drive The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. From 1672 to 1695, …

Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America is a signature  exhibition that shares the story of how three intertwining cultures – Hispanics, Africans and Native Americans – came together to form the foundation of the American culture and create the blended society of today’s St. Augustine. The exhibition debuts during St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary year. The fusion of culture began in St. Augustine in 1565 when Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés arrived with 800 colonists to settle the New World in the name of Spain. It was an ambitious attempt at colonization, one that would become the foundation …

Last year’s featured five events in four days and had record attendance at each of its events. From the 300 percent increase in attendance at the Kick-Off Luncheon, to sold out crowds at each of the week’s events, it was great to see residents and visitors enjoying authentic Spanish food, wine, music and dance in a variety of formats. We hope to see you all, and many of your friends, in 2015. KICK-OFF LUNCHEON When: Wednesday, Sept 9, 2015 at 12pm to 1:30pm Venue: First Coast Technical College Cost: $25 advance ticket, no ticket sales at door The St. Augustine …