Sock Monkey at Castillo de San Marco National Monument

Sock Monkey's first stop was the Castillo de San Marcos. This historic old fort has been the main (and best known) landmark in St. Augustine since 1695. Check back to see exactly what trouble Sock Monkey can get into on the fort grounds!

Sock Monkey was intrigued to see the original architecture the has survived hurricanes and storms, invasions by pirates, armies and even a few tourists (the most dangerous of all!).

*The Castillo de San Marcos has well over 300 years of history in it's walls. It was under construction for twenty-three years and was completed in 1695. It was known as Fort Marion from 1821 until 1942 and Fort St. Mark from 1763 until 1984 while under British control.

A bastion of the largest empire ever created, the Castillo was built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World. Though caught in the whirlwinds of colonial warfare and intrigue, it was never defeated in battle.

The Castillo de San Marcos is made up of a locally mined stone called Coquina and the walls still stand proud.