5/25/13. We left Disney World about 7:50 this morning, feeling sad to go, but excited about visiting national park units on the drive home. We were planning to stop first at Castillo de San Marcos, but as we got close, we saw signs for Fort Matanzas National Monument and decided to detour there. This small park has a ferry to the monument on the other side of the river. The
national park service website says, "Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought
for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas
guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach." We watched a short historical film and walked down to the ferry dock to get a better look at the monument. Small by the standards of other forts, but unusual in shape and size. We decided we didn't want to take the time for the ferry so we headed back to the car and continued on our way to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Saint Augustine.
We were surprised by the crowds at the monument - perhaps because it is Memorial Day Weekend - and got lucky to find a parking space. The fort is very impressive, and according the NPS, "the site consists of 20.5 acres and includes a reconstructed
section of the walled defense line surrounding the city of St. Augustine
incorporating the original city gate. The Castillo de San Marcos' architecture and detail are distinctive and unique. It is the oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America. The 300 years of the colonial era (c.
1500-1800) were ones of constant warfare. As European countries vied
with each other for the economic wealth in the “New Worlds” they
increasingly came into military conflict as well. Encounters starting in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas quickly escalated into international global warfare. The Castillo de San Marcos, though a remote outpost, weathered many attacks during these almost incessant colonial wars."
We toured the lower levels which had interpretive guides and lectures,
then made our way up to the upper level which had magnificent views of
the river, inlet, and St. Augustine. There were many Spanish armaments,
and we watched a recreation of the soldiers firing off some of the
cannons. They were LOUD! It was interesting to hear them give commands
in Spanish since we've seen many British re-creations around our home
area. Catherine and I were downwind so we were covered in ash. We
figured the boats in the river got a kick out of them firing right at
them!
We also learned a bit about the cultural history of the area and this
unit is part of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor which I
write about in the next blog post!
5/25/13. We left Disney World about 7:50 this morning, feeling sad to go, but excited about visiting national park units on the drive home. We were planning to stop first at Castillo de San Marcos, but as we got close, we saw signs for Fort Matanzas National Monument and decided to detour there. This small park has a ferry to the monument on the other side of the river. The national park service website says, "Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought
for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas
guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach." We watched a short historical film and walked down to the ferry dock to get a better look at the monument. Small by the standards of other forts, but unusual in shape and size. We decided we didn't want to take the time for the ferry so we headed back to the car and continued on our way to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Saint Augustine.
We were surprised by the crowds at the monument - perhaps because it is Memorial Day Weekend - and got lucky to find a parking space. The fort is very impressive, and according the NPS, "the site consists of 20.5 acres and includes a reconstructed
section of the walled defense line surrounding the city of St. Augustine
incorporating the original city gate. The Castillo de San Marcos' architecture and detail are distinctive and unique. It is the oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America. The 300 years of the colonial era (c.
1500-1800) were ones of constant warfare. As European countries vied
with each other for the economic wealth in the “New Worlds” they
increasingly came into military conflict as well. Encounters starting in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas quickly escalated into international global warfare. The Castillo de San Marcos, though a remote outpost, weathered many attacks during these almost incessant colonial wars."
We toured the lower levels which had interpretive guides and lectures,
then made our way up to the upper level which had magnificent views of
the river, inlet, and St. Augustine. There were many Spanish armaments,
and we watched a recreation of the soldiers firing off some of the
cannons. They were LOUD! It was interesting to hear them give commands
in Spanish since we've seen many British re-creations around our home
area. Catherine and I were downwind so we were covered in ash. We
figured the boats in the river got a kick out of them firing right at
them!
We also learned a bit about the cultural history of the area and this
unit is part of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor which I
write about in the next blog post!
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