In 1924, representatives of St. Augustine traveled by ocean liner to Aviles as part of an official American delegation to visit the Kingdom of Spain following the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the end of the Spanish-American War. As a way to strengthen the bond between the cities, St. Augustine was invited to attend the burial ceremony of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés — St. Augustine’s founder — and offered his outer coffin as a tangible link between the two cities. The outer coffin is on view at the Mission Nombre de Dios.
This visit sparked decades of gift-giving between the cities. In 1967, St. Augustine signed a resolution to support a relationship with Aviles for the purpose of creating goodwill and understanding. The bond between the Sister Cities continues to flourish with official visits and cultural exchanges.
This summer, the Sister Cities will commemorate the 100th anniversary of their relationship with a variety of events in both countries. St. Augustine delegates will visit Spain in August and an Aviles delegation travels to Florida in September.
Beginning September 5th, 2024, the City of St. Augustine and the St. Johns Cultural Council collaborate with local cultural organizations to present a series of events that celebrate the Hispanic heritage of St. Johns County and welcome the delegation from Aviles, Spain.
SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 31
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum presents an exhibition that shares the story of the home’s first owner, Andres Ximenez, and his wife Juana Pellicer. Andres was a Spanish Merchant who built the house in 1798, likely with the help of his father-in-law Francisco Pellicer, a master carpenter and leader of the Menorcan community that escaped to St. Augustine in 1777.
Guests can visit the second floor to see memorabilia from the original delegation from St. Augustine which attended the reinterment of Pedro Menendez’s remains to a niche inside the Church of St. Nicolas in Aviles, Spain. Descendants of the delegation are members of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida, present-day owners of the museum.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Enjoy Asturian folk music and dance performed by Aviles-based band Tejedor at Lewis Auditorium, presented by the St. Johns Cultural Council, the St. Augustine Sister Cities Association, and the City of St. Augustine. Admission is free, but registration is recommended. RSVP here.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
St. Augustine’s monthly art walk will include an artist market and special events celebrating the sister cities at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum and nearby galleries.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
On September 8, 1565, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avíles and his crew came ashore and named the new settlement St. Augustine. Visit the Mission Nombre de Dios for a historical reenactment of the Spanish landing, followed by Mass and the First Thanksgiving. The City of St. Augustine City Commission and the Avilés delegation will attend the Founder’s Day Commemoration festivities.
Enjoy a second free performance by Tejedor at Colonial Oak Music Park, produced in support of Sing Out Loud, St. Augustine’s annual month of music.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
The public is invited to attend the unveiling of a 100th-anniversary interpretive marker and rededication of a tile mosaic that was gifted to St. Augustine in 2002. This special wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Avilés Street at 10 AM, prior to the opening of the Avilés Street Festival at 12 PM.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sister Cities on the oldest platted street in the United States, Aviles Street. Explore this quaint and historic district brimming with charming galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and museums while enjoying live music, food, art, and more.
Plein Air artists will paint live on the historic Aviles Street and the surrounding area. Artists interested in participating may apply online by August 25th.
Enjoy a third free performance by Tejedor in the Plaza de la Constitución at 3 PM during the Aviles Street Festival.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
The Cultural Council and the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association celebrate Hispanic Heritage with a free concert by LPT, a 10-piece Salsa orchestra, at the St. Augustine Beach Pier. Food and beverage available for purchase.
SEPTEMBER 24 – OCTOBER 31
The St. Augustine Art Association and St. Johns Cultural Council jointly present an Art in Public Spaces exhibition featuring plein air paintings created in Aviles, Spain, and on St. Augustine’s Aviles Street.
Meet the participating artists at a reception on Tuesday, September 24th from 5:30-7 PM at the St. Johns County Administration Building. The exhibition will provide information about the 459-year relationship between Aviles and St. Augustine, and remain on view Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM until October 31st.
English
French
German
Italian
Spanish
