Villa Zorayda, Moorish Revival museum in St. Augustine, US.
Villa Zorayda is a Moorish-inspired residence in St. Augustine that replicates the Alhambra Palace in Spain at reduced scale. The exterior walls are made from concrete mixed with crushed seashells and ground alabaster, giving the building its distinctive appearance.
Franklin W. Smith, a merchant from Boston, built this residence in 1883 as a winter home and introduced Moorish Revival architecture to Florida for the first time. The building's completion marked a new architectural influence in the region.
The name Zorayda reflects Moorish traditions and the interior displays handcrafted objects like perforated brass lamps and Oriental rugs that reveal how wealthy residents of the era gathered exotic cultural goods. These pieces show the taste and interests of families who collected from across the world.
The residence is open to visitors who can tour the rooms and view the collections inside. Check opening hours before visiting, as they may vary depending on the season.
One of the rarest pieces on display is an ancient Egyptian rug made from the hair of a Nile cat that is over 2,400 years old. This object was discovered during excavations inside an Egyptian pyramid.
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