Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a must-see while in St. Augustine. Construction began…read morein 1672 and ended in 1695, making it the oldest masonry fortification in the United States. While there used to be nine other forts in the area, they were all destroyed during years of conflict. Six different flags have flown over this fort in the last 350 years: Spanish (twice), British, U.S. (twice), and Confederate.
The fort itself is constructed from coquina--a unique type of sedimentary rock formed from microscopic shells of tiny marine animals--and you can still see the shells embedded in the walls as you walk around. Once inside, you can wander from room to room to view the soldiers' quarters, powder magazine, and original graffiti drawn on the walls by Spanish soldiers centuries ago.
Outside, we climbed the steps to the top level to see the cannons and defensive positions along the walls, which offer great views over the town, inlet, and beaches. At night, the illuminated fort walls are a beautiful sight to see. Park rangers run educational classes throughout the day, including firearm demonstrations (though we missed those on our visit).
Parking here can be a nightmare with limited spaces and paid meters, so we took the trolley and were dropped off right at the site. After our tour, we checked out the gift shop--it's small, but did the trick. Every staff member we encountered was knowledgeable, friendly, and polite. I would definitely recommend visiting this incredible landmark.
Entry fees: $15 for adults; children 15 and under are free. National Park Service (NPS) passes are honored