Villa Zorayda
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| Villa Zorayda | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location: | St. Augustine, Florida |
| Added to NRHP: | September 23, 1993 |
| Governing body: | Private |
Villa Zorayda (also known as the Zorayda Castle) is a scaled-down version of the 12th-century Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. It was built by the eccentric millionaire Franklin Smith in 1883 as his private home in St. Augustine, Florida, United States. On September 23, 1993, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is presently owned by former St. Augustine mayor and local real estate investor Edward Mussallem (and family).
[edit] Architecture and interior
The villa contains luxurious interior details, including tropical hardwood furniture and the "Sultans Den" which includes a 2,300 year-old rug made from woven cat fur[citation needed]. One of the more notable features of the building is the windows, each window is a different shape and size, following the superstition the spirits would be able to leave the house but have difficulty finding their way back[citation needed]. Over the years, the building has been used as a speakeasy and a movie set.[citation needed]
The building is currently undergoing a complete renovation and is now open for guided tours.
[edit] References and external links
- Villa Zorayda official website
- St. Johns County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
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