The Matanzas Bay waterfront and the Bridge of Lions (1927) — the harbor that made St. Augustine, the bay whose grim name recalls the Matanzas massacre, and the marble lions guarding the bridge.
Come out to the waterfront now, along Avenida Menéndez, and let the whole city breathe out in front of you across the water. This is Matanzas Bay — the sheltered harbor that was the entire reason the Spanish planted a city here in the first place, a safe anchorage guarding the sea route their treasure fleets sailed home along. For four and a half centuries, everything and everyone came to St. Augustine across this water.
Off to your right you'll see the graceful arches of the Bridge of Lions, reaching across the bay to Anastasia Island. They built it in nineteen twenty-seven, in the Mediterranean-revival style that was all the rage, and named it for the pair of white marble lions that guard its western end — carved in Italy, patient and proud, watching over the harbor. Walk down and stand between them; it's one of the loveliest spots in the city, especially as the light goes gold in the late afternoon.
Stand here a moment by the water, and let Boone tell you how St. Augustine was truly born.
Photo: A345321 · CC0
