- Fort Matanzas, built 1740-1742, represents a well-preserved masonry watchtower fort built by the Spanish. By erecting a perch to observe enemy vessels approaching from the south, the fort played a strategic role in warning St. Augustine of potential enemy advancements via the Matanzas River. This
wildernet.com
The Spanish built Fort Matanzas in 1740-42 to control Matanzas inlet, the "back door" to St. Augustine. Much earlier, in 1565, Spain had bloodily crushed here a French challenge to her control of Florida by killing the remnants of a French colony from Fort Caroline, 40 miles to the north. Fort Mata
hmdb.org
The Spanish completed Fort Matanzas in 1742 to protect Matanzas Inlet, the "backdoor" to St. Augustine. It is today accessible by guided boat tours that focus on the site's role in hostilities between the colonial Spanish, French, and English. Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as Europe
americanheritage.com
Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine's southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protectingânot just the historic fort, but also the w
focus.nps
Fort Matanzas National Monument: a masonry (coquina) watchtower fourteen miles south of St. Augustine on Matanzas Inlet built by the Spanish in 1740-42 to protect the "back door" to the city.
visitjacksonville.com