Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Castillo de San Marcos

This photo is looking north over the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.

The Spanish began construction of the fort in 1672 and it is made from rock largely composed of the small clam shell called coquina ("tiny shell" in Spanish). It is the oldest masonry and only still existing 17th century fort in North America. In 1924 it was made a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge and is now maintained by the National Park Service.

1 comment:

Tasha said...

What a cool view of the fort! Can you imagine what it must have felt like to come up the waterway and see that, with cannons pointed your way? It looks very strong and impenetrable. Who would think something so strong could be made of tiny seashells? Very nice photo, thanks for sharing it.