Dec 23, 2022 · Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and interprets more than 450 years of cultural intersections.

Aug 11, 2017 · Castillo de San Marcos stands today as a monument to the Spanish empire’s 300-year occupation of Florida and to the interaction and clashes of cultural groups that built the unified nation that is the United States today.

Apr 9, 2020 · Unique among National Parks, the Castillo de San Marcos embodies nearly 450 years of history and culture that can not be fully experienced in a single visit. A little planning ahead will help make the most of your time with us.

Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, both in present-day northeastern Florida, represent the best-preserved evidence of the Spanish Empire’s 287-year presence in southeastern North America.

The Castillo de San Marcos is unique in North American architecture. As the only extant 17th century military construction in the country and the oldest masonry fortress in the United States it is a prime example of the "bastion system" of fortification, the culmination of hundreds of years of military defense engineering.

Jan 27, 2021 · Learn more about the many peoples who have shaped the Castillo's history.

Jan 19, 2025 · The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public seven days per week except Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25). First admission is at 9:00 a.m. and last admission is at 5:00 p.m.

Walk through the fort's casements and take in the exhibits you'll find there. Available brochures and maps will guide you around the site. To access the self-guided tour on your device, download Castillo's park app on Android and iOS.

Feb 6, 2022 · Welcome to the Castillo de San Marcos! This fortress was constructed almost 350 years ago. It was built for warfare, not visitors. Be mindful that it is not built to today’s safety standards. Surfaces are uneven, walls may crumble, and there are no safety rails. Use extreme caution when moving about in the rooms and especially on the gundeck.

Mar 21, 2024 · The Castillo de San Marcos is considered to be a "walk-in" park. The entrance fee applies to each individual. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be given to other guests. Adults (Age 16 and above) entrance is $15.00 and valid for 7 consecutive days. Children (age 15 and under) are admitted free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult.