Everywhere: Places: Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos by Willy Volk

Built in 1672 and renovated repeatedly throughout the years, St. Augustine, Florida's Castillo de San Marcos is one tough garrison ...

About this place:

Built in 1672 and renovated repeatedly throughout the years, St. Augustine, Florida's Castillo de San Marcos is one tough garrison ... sort of. Built from coquina, a shell-based "concrete" that can absorb cannonball fire like a Styrofoam absorbs a BB, the Castillo has never lost a battle. It's only been handed over by treaty. Today, it overlooks the city and makes for a great afternoon diversion. If enough people show up, they'll fire the cannon Friday through Sunday, on the half-hour from 10:30 to 3:30.

Postcards about Castillo de San Marcos:

29 May 2008
From:
Willy Volk

Wandering the grounds of the imposing but accessible Castillo de san Marcos is humbling. The 14-foot-thick fortress has never been breached. Hundreds of people, cowering in fear from marauding soldiers (even pirates!), have hunkered inside it for weeks on end, trembling at the sound of musket fire and shouts. With peerless ocean- and city-vistas, the fort has already been here for over 400 years; you know it'll be here another 400. If you've got eagle eyes, you can spot the smattering of holes on the east wall - remnants of the firing squad.

Place to see: Castillo de San Marcos, Saint Augustine, Florida, United States

Castillo de San Marcos by Willy Volk

About this place:

Postcards about Castillo de San Marcos:

No tags yet...