Lincolnville in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Villa Zorayda Today
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 17, 2019
1. The Villa Zorayda Today Marker
The Villa Zorayda today houses an extensive antique collection from the original owners of this Grand Gilded Age home, Franklin W. Smith, and the Villa's second owner Abraham S. Mussallem, an authority and collector of Egyptian antiquities, oriental rugs and antique furnishings. The magnificent architecture from the Moorish Castle, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, as well as memorabilia from the Villa's past can be viewed as you take a state of the art audio guided tour throughout the museum and learn of the Villa Zorayda's colorful past as well as its over 126 year history. The Villa Zorayda is one of the city's most historically significant buildings with Franklin Smith's creation of poured Portland cement and crushed coquina stone construction. Mr. Smith also built the Casa Monica hotel and instructed Henry Flagler's architects in its use in building the grand Ponce de Leon Hotel, Alcazar Hotel and Memorial Presbyterian Church. Recently closed for an extensive restoration, the Villa Zorayda has been restored to its original grandeur.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 29° 53.503′ N, 81°
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Regionally, this marker was in First Coast and in Greater Jacksonville. It was also in the American South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Villa Zorayda (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Villa Zorayda (a few steps from this marker); Xavier Lopez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponce de Leon Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry M. Flagler (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Pedro Menendez De Aviles (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alcazar Hotel / City Hall (about 300 feet away); Don Pedro Menιndez de Aviles (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 17, 2019
2. The Villa Zorayda Today Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 17, 2019
3. Villa Zorayda Entrance
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 16, 2019
4. Villa Zorayda Christmas Lighting
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 17, 2019
5. Villa Zorayda Museum
Museum website homepage:
The Villa Zorayda was built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Webster Smith, replicating architectural details of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The Villa Zorayda set a precedence for architecture in St. Augustine and began the Moorish Spanish Revival style of architecture that is seen throughout the city today, as well as the concrete and coquina construction that was used throughout the city.
Click for more information.
The Villa Zorayda was built in 1883 as the winter residence of Franklin Webster Smith, replicating architectural details of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The Villa Zorayda set a precedence for architecture in St. Augustine and began the Moorish Spanish Revival style of architecture that is seen throughout the city today, as well as the concrete and coquina construction that was used throughout the city.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
