Crossing a dry moat, this drawbridge was the only way into the Castillo.
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.
On July 27, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument will begin mobilizing for construction to replace, raise and rehabilitate the park’s failing seawalls and protect the historic fort and the broader St. Augustine community. Visitor access to the historic fort will be maintained throughout this project, which is expected to take approximately 18 months. Some areas on the fort grounds will be closed to ensure public safety during construction.
On July 4, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the city of St. Augustine will close vehicle access to the main visitor parking for the Florida Freedom Tour and Independence Day events.