Celebrating Our Hispanic Heritage
As the entire nation gears up to celebrate the myriad contributions of Hispanic Americans during this year’s national Hispanic Heritage Month, spanning from September 15 to October 15, there’s no place that quite captures the essence of this celebration like the city of St. Augustine.
This historic city, often regarded as the birthplace of Hispanic influence in the United States, maintains its connection to Hispanic heritage year-round. Remarkably, St. Augustine planted the seeds of Spanish influence in what would eventually become the U.S. a full four decades before the establishment of the first English settlement in continental North America.
St. Augustine continues to embrace its Hispanic heritage as an integral part of its identity. The city's rich history echoes the tales of Spanish explorers, notably Juan Ponce de Leon, who laid claim to this land on April 3, 1513, and Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who founded the town in 1565. These stories are woven into the fabric of the community. Moreover, St. Augustine's architectural landscape, reminiscent of 16th-century Spanish design with its charming narrow, brick-paved streets, mirrors the historic charm found in other renowned cities of the same era, such as San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Cartagena in Colombia, and San Juan in Puerto Rico, the oldest city in the United States besides St. Augustine.
Landmarks
Visitors to St. Augustine will quickly discover that this city's Hispanic culture and history are deeply ingrained in its daily life. Iconic landmarks include the legendary Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the Mission Nombre de Dios where the first Mass and Thanksgiving in the U.S. took place, and the Castillo de San Marcos, the country's first masonry fortress. Another extraordinary site is Fort Mose, where freed slaves established the first legally sanctioned free black settlement in the U.S. in 1738. This settlement, known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose or Fort Mose, eventually relocated to Cuba when Florida was transferred to British control in 1763.
Dining
The living Hispanic culture thrives within the St. Augustine community, with the city's flavors deeply rooted in Latin American traditions. Some of the city's most iconic and beloved restaurants draw their culinary inspiration from Hispanic kitchens. For instance, the Columbia Restaurant, with over a century of history, offers a traditional Spanish dining experience in the heart of the historic district, featuring award-winning Spanish and Cuban cuisine.
Other top Latin American restaurants in St. Augustine include Asado Life, specializing in Argentinian meats; La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs, serving a diverse range of Latin, Colombian, Spanish, and South American dishes; Casa Maya Restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine; Llama Restaurant, highlighting Peruvian flavors; and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, where Mexican, Latin, and Cuban influences converge. Don't miss Michael's, offering a modern twist on Latin American staples.
Annual Events
Throughout the year, St. Augustine hosts major Hispanic heritage events, some centered around cuisine. On September 9, 2023, the city commemorates the 458th anniversary of its founding by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, accompanied by 800 settlers, including artisans, soldiers, men, women, and children. This celebration unfolds at Mission Nombre de Dios and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, featuring reenactments, Mass celebrations, the recreation of the first Thanksgiving, and Spanish military encampments.
Additionally, the annual St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival, held in February to coincide with Pedro Menendez de Aviles' birthday, celebrates the city's Spanish culinary and wine influences. The festival boasts tapas, wine, spirits, a cava dinner reception, and a grand tasting, showcasing over 100 Spanish wines and Spanish-inspired cuisine prepared by local chefs.
In May, Unidos en la Musica: A Latin American Festival celebrates the diverse world of Latin American music, complemented by authentic dance, food, and games.
From mid-November through January, St. Augustine's Hispanic heritage festivities continue with Nights of Lights. Locals and visitors alike revel in the city-wide display featuring millions of twinkling white lights, a tradition inspired by Spanish candle-lighting practices during the holiday season. During Nights of Lights, on December 14, the festivities include "Noches de Navidad" and Las Posadas, featuring a live nativity, Eucharistic Adoration, and a 16th-century Spanish procession of "Las Posadas" (the Inns) at Mission Nombre de Dios.
In summary, St. Augustine stands as one of the nation's premier cities for honoring and celebrating Hispanic and Latin American influences, deeply woven into the tapestry of Florida and the United States. Visitors can savor, listen to, witness, and experience the origins of it all in the oldest city on the North American continent.