Castillo de San Marcos, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos is situated in St Augustine, Florida – a historic town settled by Spanish explorers. This impressive American castle was built to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route and is the oldest masonry fort in continental USA. Construction of Castillo de San Marcos started in 1672.

Being in such a strategic position the castle has a notable past, having been owned and controlled at various different times by Spain, Great Britain and ultimately America. Partially built by Black Spanish slaves, the history of the castle is the history of the U.S. itself – with the castle being one of the first entry points in to the Spanish territories of African slaves owned by Britain, who were subsequently freed by the Spanish. The castle has been attacked several times throughout the years and also was used to hold members of Native American tribes.

Control of Castillo de San Marcos was handed to the National Park Service in the 1930s and the castle is now a National Monument – open to the public for exploration, education and guided tours.