For times, parking information and ticket prices, see the more information section under the story below.
With the sounds of boots marching on rock, the hands of time rewind more than 300 years.
"When the town is under attack, everybody moves into the fort," says Chris Leverett, a National Park Service Park Ranger.
In the nation's oldest city, you'll find the castle Leverett protects.
"It was built by the Spanish empire in the late 1600's. They tabled it as a castle. Translation is Castle of St. Mark," he shares.
As St. Augustine celebrates the 450th anniversary of the city's founding, the Castillo de San Marcos continues to stand as a monument not only to Florida's early roots, but North America.
"The Spanish culture started running around this area long before the English settled the colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas," says Chris.
Construction began in 1672 and wrapped up 23 years later. This summer, the fort will be 340 years old. Even today, the coquina rock walls continue to hold up.
"It's extremely fragile," Chris says of the walls. "But when you take that fragile nature and you stack it, in the case of this place, averaging 10 to 11 feet thick, that same fragile trait, allows this place to absorb shots, cannon shots very well."
"I was very excited upstairs because of the old cannons because they are green, because they were originally copper or iron," says Dominick Martin visiting from St. Cloud.
The future 4th grader joined his dad for a history lesson and appreciation for the Spanish, British and American soldiers who worked here.
"Because of them, we are able to be here today. And have the freedoms that we have," believes Osceola County father Jerry Martin.
Visitors may explore the depths of the fort, like the stone bedrooms, prison quarters and a courtyard that heats up in the afternoon sunshine. Visitors can escape the heat of a summer afternoon inside the magazine room where when they use to keep the cannonballs and gunpowder. On the floor awaits a secret passageway, which is accessible today. Beyond the crawlspace, awaits an inner room. During a siege in 1702, the crypt-like tomb was turned into a trash pit, before being sealed.
"Florida has a very unique heritage and history that a lot of American's are unaware of," Chris says while looking over Matanzas Bay in period costume.
About this destination
Where: St. Augustine, St. Johns County
Open: Monday – Sunday
Hours: 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM
Last admission to the Castillo is 5:00 PM.
Park grounds for strolling and recreation are closed from midnight until 5:30 AM.
Phone number: (Entrance Station) 904-829-6506 / 904-829-6507, ext: 234
General Admission:
Adults age 16+: $7.00
Children under 15: Free
Tickets are good for 7 days
Address:
1 South Castillo Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Website: http://www.nps.gov/casa/
Parking:
Good Luck. Limited, meter-fed parking is on-site with a rate of $1.50 per hour. St. Augustine's public parking garage is a better option. Rates start at $10 a day. http://www.staugustinegovernment.com/the-city/featured-stories-archive/7_06/parking-fac-opens.cfm
Accessibility Note:
A drawbridge-like ramp leads into the fort. The second story where cannon firing demonstrations take place is accessible by stairs only.
GPS Longitude & Latitude:
Latitude: 29.89601
Longitude: -81.31115
Latitude: 29° 53' 45.636"
Longitude: -81° 18' 40.1394"
Drive Times:
From Orlando: 2 hours, 5 minutes
From Tampa: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Tankful on Television
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Tankful on Demand
This story was part of the Florida on a Tankful Summer Road Trip. Catch the 30-minute special with Scott Fais now on Bright House Local On Demand, Channel 999. Use your remote to scroll to the right to the TRAVEL category. Then SCROLL DOWN to TANKFUL.