Villa Zorayda History Museum - St. Augustine, Florida
Posted by: 
macleod1
N 29° 53.539 W 081° 18.885
17R E 469610 N 3306895
This museum is located on Kings Street near Flagler College and the Public Market Park.
Waymark Code: WM48FK
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 07/21/2008
Views: 62
Website:http://www.villazorayda.com/
Closed for the past eight years the Villa Zorayda Museum has undergone an extensive renovation and is once again open to the public as a museum. On the National Register of Historic Places it was built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Smith utilizing his method of construction of poured concrete and crushed coquina shell. It is built 1/10th the scale of a section of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. This building set a precedence for St. Augustine and began the Moorish Spanish revival of architecture that is seen throughout the city today. In 1904 it became the Zorayda Club. On display for the first time ever is the custom made bone china made exclusively for the Zorayda Club. In 1913 it was purchased by Abraham S. Mussallem, an authority on Oriental rugs, fine arts and Egyptian artifacts. In 1922 it became one of the most fashionable places for casino gambling. In the mid 1930's it was opened as a museum featuring the priceless antique collections of both Franklin Smith and A.S. Mussallem which are still on display today. The 45-60 minute tour gives an in depth look at the historical significance of the building to the City of St. Augustine, the magnificent architecture as well as descriptions of the many exquisite pieces you will see. On display is the "Sacred Cat Rug" over 2400 years old and made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River. Taken from a pyramid in Egypt it is said to possess a curse for anyone that walks on it!
Theme:
Cultural History
Street Address:
83 King St
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 829-9887
Food Court: no
Hours of Operation:
The Villa Zorayda Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10:00am to 4:30pm. Guided tours are given. Parking is free of charge. Guided tours in French, Russian and Spanish are available by appointment only.
Cost: 12.00 (listed in local currency)
Museum Size: Medium
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
Gift Shop: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
In order to log this waymark in this category, you must be able to provide proof of your visit. Please post a picture of yourself or your GPSr in front some identifiable feature or point of interest either in the museum, or on the museum grounds.