Fort Matanzas is a well-preserved masonry watchtower fort built by the Spanish in 1700?s to protect the possible attack of the British people to the city of St. Agustine. Fort Matanzas was proclaimed a national monument in 1900?s, along with its sister structure, the Castillo de San Marcos. Both forts were turned over to the National Park Service.

The fort tactically stands north of an inlet from the ocean, in order to prohibit enemy ships from attacking a settlement at St. Augustine. Mounted on the fort?s gun deck are cannons, for the Spanish to immediately menace any ship proceeding along the waterway. Until today, you can still find remnants of the war equipment they used years ago.

Inside the Fort Matanzas is a preserve, located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This vast ecosystem island not only protects the historic fort, but also protects a natural habitat that is rich in wildlife.