Plaza de la Constitucion - St. Augustine, Florida
Plaza de la Constitucion - St. Augustine, Florida
Government House
This historic structure facing
the Plaza de la Constitucion
was the capitol of Spanish
Florida.
Cannon on the Plaza
A number of cannon seen on
the plaza today were used to
defend St. Augustine during
the Civil War.
Plaza de la Constitucion - St. Augustine, Florida
Plaza de la Constitucion
Created by official order during the 1500s, the
Plaza de la Constitucion is the oldest public park
in the United States.
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.

It was here that the exchange of flags took
place when Florida was transferred from
Spain to the United States. Meetings were
held on the plaza on the eve of the Civil War
and Union Navy Officers crossed the park in
1862 when they reclaimed the city from the
Confederates.
Cathedral-Basilica
The Cathedral-Basilica of St.
Augustine is more than 200
years old and faces the Plaza
de la Constitucion.
Now a national landmark, the historic plaza
is a centerpiece for the historic district of the
old city. It is surrounded by museums,
historic structures shops, restaurants and
other points of interest.

The Government House at the west end of
the plaza is an excellent place to obtain an
overview of the history of St. Augustine. It
houses exhibits on the rich archaeology and
history of the oldest city in the United States.

From there, St. George Street leads through
the St. Augustine Historic District and its
fascinating architecture and points of interest.

Please click here to learn more about the
nation's oldest city.
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Copyright 2011 & 2013 by Dale Cox
All rights reserved.

November 14, 2013