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Historical Sites You Will Love

Fort Matanzas National Monument 

Throughout its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine, FL, and the Castillo de San Marcos. This Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the New World. In addition, the park, which is located on barrier islands along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas Estuary, provides a natural habitat rich in wildlife with the salt marsh, scrub, and maritime hammock now protecting endangered and threatened species like the historic Fort Matanzas protected St. Augustine long ago.

Castillo de San Marcos 

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and originally constructed by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695, with major modifications from 1738 - 1756. Later, the British, Spanish and Americans all made changes to the Castillo before it was finally retired as an active fortification in 1900. Proclaimed a national monument in 1924, the Castillo is now a prominent tourist destination where people of all cultures step back in time and reflect on the forces and events which have shaped world history. The monument site consists of 20.5 acres and includes a reconstructed section of the walled defense line surrounding the city of St. Augustine, FL incorporating the original city gate. The Castillo de San Marcos' architecture and detail are distinctive and unique. As such it is an excellent example of the "bastion system" of fortification and a must-see! 

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