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Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos

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Tripadvisor (10,724) · Fort
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States; it is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in the city … See more

Highlights

A monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance

Learn About the Early Spanish Empire

The Walls Of America's Oldest Masonry Fort Famously Swallowed Cannonballs.

Tips

If you feel dehydrated with the heat, contact a Ranger
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If you plan on picnicking on the grounds then clean up after you finish
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Please stay together as a group and with your teachers if you visit from school
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Do not feed the animals
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Only vehicles 21 feet or shorter, including any trailers, are permitted to park in the Castillo lot
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Only water is allowed to be consumed in the Castillo, so secure all food and drinks before entering
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Keep an eye for your children especially up stairs on the gun deck as there are no guard rails
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Only the lower level of the Castillo is accessible by wheel chair
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The influence of the Spanish, French, British and American are all featured in the exhibits
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You can use the city's parking garage which is only a block away from the Castillo. It is conveniently located and will provide shade for your vehicle
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The lot is approximately three blocks from the Castillo and visitors may use the Castillo's lot to drop off and pick up passengers
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The City of St Augustine maintains a parking lot in front of the Castillo. The cost is $1.50 per hour which is paid at automated stations which accept most denominations of U.S. coin and currency as w…
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Visit quietly and be attentive to the tour guide who is dressed in period costume
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The City of St. Augustine provides free parking for larger vehicles at the corner of West Castillo Drive and Riberia Street
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Stay alert as you walk on uneven floors, and do not climb the walls or the cannons
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Climb the stairs to get a photo op-worthy view of matanzas bay
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The easiest way to get to the fort is by trolley or on foot from downtown
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Park rangers lead programs hourly and shoot off cannons most weekends
lonelyplanet.com
Lower level is handicapped accessible
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One can join a ranger program, see a live re-enactment or just walk around and explore the fortress
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The castillo offers plenty to do year-round, thanks to florida's warm climate
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The fort offers a junior ranger program for children
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Ezor akko for you to help you find the best tour routes, travel routes, the best food, and the best ticket prices
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The fort was also used as a prison during the revolutionary and civil wars
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Reviews

Tripadvisor · 4.5/5 · 11,019 reviews
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Jan 23, 2023
Spent a couple of hours here. Very informative. Lots of interesting information about the fort and it’s history. Great views from the top in all directions. If your a senior it costs $20 for up to 4… Full review by metswin
Jan 23, 2023
An amazing piece of history. Beautiful fort on the harbor of St. Augustine. Well developed historical info. Be sure and catch the historical background presentation (by Jim z Pruitt if you’re lucky)… Full review by ccmccarty58
Jan 17, 2023
A must for anyone interested in history. Like most National Parks it is well run with knowledgeable staff. Sadly wheel chair bound people will not be able to go to the top. Full review by Excursion765331
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Articles

Oldest Masonry Fort in the United States
This masonry fort was built in 1672, when Florida was still under the rule of Spain, making it the oldest in the continental United States. The fort was so strong that it withstood two sieges by the British. Over the course of its long and storied history, it has been under the control of Spain, Britain, the United States, and the Confederate States during the Civil War when Florida seceded from the Union. Spain, Britain, and the U.S. have all controlled it twice, as treaties were made and territories exchanged.Also Read: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in St. Augustine, Florida
attractionsofamerica.com
A Trip Through Florida History
Once inside the fort, you see a large central courtyard surrounded on all sides by vaulted rooms or casements. Many of the rooms are open for inspection. Included are rooms for supplies, a chapel, the powder magazine where munitions were stored, and school rooms used for Native American prisoners of war. A stairway leads to the gun deck. Once on the gun deck visitors enjoy a view of Matanzas Bay. Four bastions at the corners provided a protected lookout and signaling window for the lighthouse and ships at sea. Cannons mounted near the parapet walls, or embrasures, show how the fort was protected. In 1740, this gundeck held 74 cannons. Should your travels in the Southeastern United States take you to St. Agustine, the oldest European settlement in our nation, be sure to visiot the Castillo de San Marcos. It is a trip through history that you won’t forget.
morningjoy.wordpress.com
Symbolizing the Clash of Cultures
A monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance, the Castillo de San Marcos symbolizes the clash between cultures which ultimately resulted in our uniquely unified nation. Still resonant with the struggles of an earlier time, these original walls provide tangible evidence of America’s grim but remarkable history.The people of St. Augustine fought for a stone fortress because they were fighting for their lives in Florida.The Castillo de San Marcos was used for military purposes during WWII. The Coast Guard utilized the fort for training exercises and ceremonies throughout the war years.
maps.roadtrippers.com
Old Fort Ripe for Exploring
Next, we crossed the street to visit the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument, an old fort ripe for exploring. The views from the top of the fort are phenomenal and after seeing those pirates, the kids spent a good hour protecting St Augustine from imaginary pirates on the battlements.
travelwithbender.com
Oldest Stone Fortress in the Continental United States
There is no way families should leave this out of your St. Augustine itinerary. The impressive fort which dominates the water front of the Old City was built by the Spanish from 1672-1695 is the oldest stone fortress in the continental United States, Its walls are made from coquina, rock made from compressed seashells found along the coast. Make sure to make your way to the top of the fort for spectacular views of the Mantanzas River. Re-enactors and park rangers will tell you the fort's history and provide historic weaponry demonstrations that go off with a bang on a regular basis. Open daily from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Dec. 25.
10best.com
Dates Back to 1672
The oldest extant Spanish fortification in the United States, this bulwark stands as a remnant of the European colonization of America. The Castillo de San Marcos dates back to 1672 and is a fine example of military architecture built in defense of the Spanish crown. The fort's masonry is called coquina and for more than 200 years of battle, this limestone withstood countless strikes among European powers. The dearth of traditional materials in Florida forced the Spanish to use this porous, yet resilient material, to the dismay of their enemies who found the fort impossible to conquer in battle. It was declared a national monument in 1924 and today, San Marcos remains a fascinating place. At the visitor's center one can join a ranger program, see a live re-enactment or just walk around and explore the fortress, whatever the choice, the fort definitely merits the trip.
cityseeker.com

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