Once a sleepy beach town, Miami has awakened to become a global city that plays key roles in commerce, trade, media, fashion and entertainment. The city has a reputation as a glamour-drenched, celebrity hotspot with trendy hotels, restaurants and night clubs, but those who see beyond the glitz are richly rewarded. They discover a melting pot with vibrant cultures, diverse attractions, fascinating historical monuments and colorful neighborhoods.
The oldest building in the Western Hemisphere is allegedly in Miami and dates back to 1133 AD. If that seems unlikely, it's because you probably aren't familiar with the saga behind St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church. The building was originally constructed in the medieval town of of Sacramenia in Segovia, Spain during the 12th century and housed Spanish monks until the 20th century. In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery, had it dismantled stone by stone and shipped it to New York, where it languished in a warehouse for 26 years. In 1952, Floridian developers purchased it and decided to rebuild it into a Miami Beach tourist attraction. Today, the lovely ancient monastery sits in amid tropical gardens and attract visitors from around the world. The Cloisters also serve as a popular place for weddings and backdrop for magazine and catalog photo shoots and TV commercials.
Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery
16711 West Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach, Fl 33160
305-945-1461
spanishmonastery.com
Freedom Tower is a 1925 landmark building in Miami that was modeled on the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain. The 255-foot tower is an example of classic Mediterranean Revival style architecture and is capped with a decorative cupola. The tower was home to the Miami Daily News until 1957, and soon afterwards became a processing center for exiled Cubans. It is viewed as the Ellis Island of the Cuban Exile community and processed more than a half-million Cuban immigrants who fled the country after Castro came into power. Today, the tower belongs to Miami Dade College and is used as a cultural and educational center. The college recently hosted a major exhibition on the Spanish master painters, including Salvador Dali and Goya.
Miami Freedom Tower
800 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33132
Española Way is a historic Spanish village located in South Beach's Art Deco District. In 1925, Miami developers hired architects to design a Spanish village along Española Way, a small street bounded by Washington and Jefferson Streets and 14th and 15th Streets. Today, the Plaza De España (as it's occasionally called) that was envisioned by the developers is a reality. It features historic Mediterranean-revival-style buildings. It's an artsy, bohemian stretch that is home to colorful galleries, quirky boutiques, outdoor bistros and a weekly street festival called the Española Way Weekend Festival. Visitors can enjoy lively scene with live music and an open-air market selling handmade crafts, flowers and more. The Miami Visitors Center encourages travelers to explore the area, and provides maps and information about South Beach and Española Way.
Española Way
Miami Beach Visitors Center
1920 Meridian Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-531-0038
miamiandbeaches.com
