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Fort Matanzas National MonumentSpanish soldiers relax at thier rough hewn barracks table for a meal.
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Fort Matanzas National Monument
History & Culture
 
Fort Matanzas from the west (marsh) side

L. Chandler -- NPS Photo

The Stories of Matanzas
and St. Augustine

Throughout its history, the stories of Fort Matanzas and the Matanzas area have been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine.

Located fifteen miles north of Fort Matanzas, St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos serve as outstanding reminders of the might of the early Spanish empire and as reflections of European conflicts as countries battled for land and power in the New World.


 
Volunteer re-renactors fire the cannon during one of the Living History Days at Fort Matanzas.

Upcoming Living History Programs at Fort Matanzas

September 12, October 3, November 7, December 12 -- Living History Day at Fort Matanzas. Cannon firing on all tours except 9:30 and 4:30. Free

A re-enactor is at the fort almost every day to tell the story of Fort Matanzas to park visitors. Musket demonstrations are presented most Wednesdays and Saturdays on the 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30 tours.

 

 
Artist's conception of the massacre of the French Huguenots at Matanzas in 1565.

National Geographic Photograph

The Massacre

The first conflict goes back to 1565, the year of the founding of St. Augustine and almost 175 years before the construction of Fort Matanzas. This is when another story was played out at the Matanzas Inlet--the massacre of the French Huguenots, the incident that led to the naming of the river, Matanzas, the Spanish word for "slaughters".

 Read more . . .

 

 
The British and Spanish flags of the 18th century.

The British Threat

By 1740, it was no longer the French, but rather the British who were a threat to the Spanish Florida colony.  Whoever controlled Florida controlled the rich shipping lanes coming from the Spanish Caribbean. The British had unsuccessfully laid siege to St. Augustine twice (1702 and 1740). Florida Governor Montiano knew the British would be back and would most likely attempt to come through the unguarded inlet at Matanzas. So, he immediately ordered a fort to be built to guard these southern approaches-- Fort Matanzas.

Read more . . .

Click for Timeline for Florida and Fort Matanzas
Timeline
for Florida and Fort Matanzas
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Artist conception of a Timucuan alligator hunt.
The Early People of Florida
Indians at the time of European contact
more...
Archaeological Dig in St. Augustine
Digging into the Past-- Archaeological Discoveries
(You will leave the Fort Matanzas web page and be directed to the Florida History Museum site.)
more...
Pieces of majolica pottery found in St. Augustine
The St. Augustine Archaeological Collection
From the Florida Natural History Museum
more...
An old engraving shows Spanish Ships landing on a foreign coast  

Did You Know?
Because his arrival occurred at the time of the Easter feast or Pascua Florida, Ponce de León named the land, which he claimed for Spain, La Florida or “Place of Flowers” Ft Matanzas National Monument, Florida

Last Updated: September 11, 2009 at 15:42 EST