Plaza de la Constitution

The Plaza, located at the center of the historic colonial town of St. Augustine, overlooks Matanzas Bay and the Bridge of Lions. Included within the Plaza are the public market, a bandstand, and several important monuments.

One of those important monuments still stands today. Erected in 1813 after a decree from the Spanish government, it was built in honor of the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The government of St. Augustine in 1812 erected it as an ''eternal memorial'' to the document. The city's governor at the time was Antonio Huertas y Rubio. But the constitution was short-lived. On May 4, 1814, it was abolished. King Fernando VII ordered all the constitution monuments in Spanish provinces to be destroyed. St. Augustine's could be the last one standing, but some historians believe there could be more. Be that as it may, the one that stands in the Plaza de la Constitution is certainly one of the few in existence.

Why didn’t the residents of St. Augustine obey the King’s orders? It is hard to say for sure. One theory is that they did not tear it down because they had spent the money to build it. Instead, they removed the plaques on it. In addition, St. Augustine was pretty isolated. The residents were probably unconcerned about the possible repercussions of their actions. The likelihood a monarch would have come at the time was remote.  And so it stands to this day.

Details on seasonal events may be found at www.visitoldcity.com, www.staugustinechamber.com, or the Visitors Information Center. Call (904) 825–1000