ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine officials unveiled two historical markers celebrating 100 years of friendship between the city and Aviles in Spain. Dozens came out Sunday morning to celebrate the century-old historical ties.
Two brand new markers are now on Aviles Street, the oldest street in St. Augustine. The markers share the history of St. Augustine and also dive into how St. Augustine is connected to a city across the ocean.
“These culturally ties are important to us, and In St. Augustine, we celebrate our history," Nancy Sikes-Kline, the mayor of St. Augustine, said.
Aviles, Spain was the birthplace of the Spanish explorer Pedro Menedez who founded St Augustine in 1565.
In August of 1924, delegates from St. Augustine traveled to Aviles, sparking a relationship between the two cities. One hundred years later, on Sunday delegates from Spain made the journey.
The connection between the two cities is one that many visitors and even residents here never heard of.
"Some of the things on the marker, I did not know and it's important that the visitors to St Augustine know the history the deep history of this city," Anita Schenck, a St. Augustine resident, said.
As the nation’s oldest city, officials say this marker will share with all who walk by what makes St. Augustine unique.
“In a way it's a way to kinda brag because who else can claim a relationship of 100 years with a sister city in Aviles Spain, or in Europe for that matter," Sikes-Kline said.
Next to the historical markers is a new art installation highlighting the life of Pedro Menéndez.