With one child at Auburn University, we’ve made numerous trips to visit the town and campus. Each time we arrive, we find something new to see and do, besides football tailgating or making trips to Target and Walmart to stock up on dorm-room supplies.
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In a previous post, I described touring Fort Matanzas, which protected St. Augustine’s back door. However, no visit to St. Augustine is complete without touring Castillo de San Marcos. Built over 450 years ago by the Spaniards, the Castillo is the oldest stone fortification in the US.
The 20-acre fort, with 30-foot high coquina walls, fronts Matanzas Bay just north of St. Augustine’s city center. Although Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded the city in 1565, construction didn’t begin until over a century later in 1672. Fortunately, construction finished just in time to protect the city from future attacks.
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Castillo de San Marcos in the historic part of St. Augustine remains a top tourist spot. However, many don’t know about St. Augustine’s other fort, sometimes called the “back door of St. Augustine,” Fort Matanzas.
For starters, Fort Matanzas is harder to reach. Located about fifteen miles south of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, visitors must take a five-minute ferry ride to see the coquina watchtower. Purchasing tickets online isn’t an option either as the National Park Service distributes them on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, with fewer tourists, a visit to Fort Matanzas provides an enjoyable experience.
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If you haven’t been to St. Augustine in Florida, you’re in for a treat. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, the city features 35 buildings from the Spanish period between 1565-1763. For more posts about the oldest city in the United States, read about the Ximenez-Fatio House and St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.
Located on the bustling, pedestrian-only St. George Street in the historic district, the Peña-Peck House piqued my interest. Open for tours only on Friday and Saturday from noon – 4 pm, I finally visited the house on our most recent trip. The Women’s Exchange of St. Augustine runs the guided tours at no charge but appreciates donations.
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