Architectural Styles
St. Augustine, Florida, is a vibrant, historic city filled with various architectural styles. From ancient Spanish fortresses to Victorian mansions and modern dwellings, the town has a variety of beautiful, unique buildings that are a testament to its centuries-old history. Here are some of the most popular architectural styles found in St. Augustine.
Spanish Colonial: The oldest structures in St. Augustine are those built in the Spanish colonial style. This style is characterized by its simple, symmetrical design, with the walls usually constructed from coquina, a limestone-like material made from seashells and sand. This type of construction was common in the 16th and 17th centuries. It can still be seen in the Spanish Colonial buildings of St. Augustine, such as the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the United States.
Image 1: Castillo de San Marcos. Image by Unknown. https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/castillo-de-san-marcos
Queen Anne Style: Queen Anne architecture was popular in St. Augustine during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This style is characterized by its abundance of decorative detail, corner towers, expansive porches, and richly patterned wall surfaces. Other common features include steeply pitched roofs, cross gables, projecting bay windows, stained glass, and asymmetrical facades.
Image 2: The Social Lounge. Image by instasaver.org. https://www.carriageway.com/Thingstodo/TheSocialLounge.html
Mediterranean Revival: The Mediterranean Revival style was popular in St. Augustine during the 1920s and 1930s. Its red-tiled roofs, stucco walls, balconies, and arches characterize this style. Notable examples of this style in St. Augustine include the Casa Monica Hotel and the Villa Zorayda Museum. Inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, this style can be found in historic buildings throughout the state.
Image 3: Casa Monica Hotel. Image by Unknown. https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/directory/casa-monica-resort-spa/
As one of the oldest cities in the United States, St. Augustine is a living testament to the architectural styles of centuries past. Each style has a unique beauty, from Spanish Colonial to Queen Anne and Mediterranean Revival. They all create a stunning visual landscape that will astound and delight visitors for years.