Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument on the East Coast of Florida commemorates the fierce clashes between European powers over the spoils of the New World. St. Augustine, Florida, was the northernmost point of a vast Spanish empire that included Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The city's location was critical in defending fleets that carried treasure from the Caribbean back to Spain.
In the late 17th century, Spain built Castillo de San Marcos to defend the city against both pirates and British forces. The castle withstood an attack by the English in 1702 that left the rest of St. Augustine burned to the ground. Although the fortress was eventually claimed by England and later America, via treaty, it was never taken by force. Today the bastion's history is told via weapons demonstrations, ranger talks, and detailed museum exhibits.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Post a Comment
Share your park story today. Post your park experiences, recommendations, or tips here.*
* Your comments will appear once approved by the moderator. NPCA staff do not regularly respond to postings. We reserve the right to remove comments that include profanity, personal attacks, or are off-topic. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the position(s) of NPCA. By submitting comments you are giving NPCA permission to reuse your words on our website and print materials.