Fort Matanzas National Monument Things to Do Tips by mtncorg

Sentry post on the Fort

Imagine being a Spanish soldier on what must have been, for them, the end of the World. Stuck in a little fort for at least a month, gazing into the distant salt marshes .........

Address: FMNM, 1 East Castillo Dr, St Augustine FL 32084

Directions: The park is 14 miles south of St Augustine via FL A!A.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/foma

Cannons of Matanzas

Five cannons were located in the fort - 4 six-pounders and one 18-pounder, all of which could reach the inlet mouth less than a half mile away in 1742. The guns were fired in battle only the one time in 1742.

Address: FMNM, 1 East Castillo Dr, St Augustine FL 32084

Directions: The park is 14 miles south of St Augustine via FL A!A.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/foma

Matanzas Fort

The fort usually was manned by 6 soldiers and one officer, though when needed, up to 50 men could man the fort. The officer had a room in the 30 foot high tower next to the powder magazine. There is an observation deck atop the tower. The soldiers ate and slept on the gun deck below. The fort is about 50 feet square and was constructed of a local sedimentary rock called coquima. Mortar was made from melted oyster shells. Tours of duty were normally for one month with the men rotating out from the main Spanish fort in St Augustine.

Address: FMNM, 1 East Castillo Dr, St Augustine FL 32084

Directions: The park is 14 miles south of St Augustine via FL A!A.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/foma

Matanzas Ferry

The park is 14 miles south of St Augustine via FL A!A. A visitor center shows a 8 minute film on the fort and area's history. Next, a free-ferry takes people across the Matanzas River to the Fort. While the fort is the main attraction, the beach is good as well and there is a 0.6 mile nature boardwalk. Ferry times run from 0930-1630 weather permitting.

Address: FMNM, 1 East Castillo Dr, St Augustine FL 32084

Directions: The park is 14 miles south of St Augustine via FL A!A.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/foma