Castillo de San Marcus National Monument
Taken in St. Augustine, Florida. A beautiful day. I was on the second level looking down.
Construction on the fort started October 2, 1672 so the fort is over 333 years old.
The Castillo was built by the Spanish to protect their interests in La Florida. With the discovery and use of the Gulf Stream by the Spanish Treasure fleets it became important to establish a military outpost to keep rival powers and pirates from threatening Spanish commerce. Castillo is the Spanish word for "castle." Although no king or queen lived here, the Castillo de San Marcos was like a castle in one way-- it was used to defend a town.
St. Augustine was 107 years old when construction began on the Castillo. There were nine wood and earth forts before the stone fort was built.
Uploaded on October 17, 2009