Night tours of Castillo de San Marcos in Florida are going to be offered on December 1/NPS

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Florida will host special evening tours on Friday, December 1st. During the tours you'll receive a primer on Siege of 1740.

It was in 1740 when the continued existence of St. Augustine was in doubt. British General James Oglethorpe laid siege and was poised to run the Spanish from the city. Citizens – terrified about the possibility of losing their homes – clung to the hope that the Spanish forces would strike a blow from the Castillo that would send the English invaders away. A desperate plan was conceived to attack the British occupiers of Fort Mose.

In partnership with the St. Augustine Garrison and Colonial Nightwatch, on the evening of Friday, December 1st, staff and volunteers in 18th century period clothing will tell the stories of St. Augustine on the brink of its destiny. Visitors will experience the evening before the Fort Mose counterattack, and learn about life in the town during the siege as the cannon fire away at the British on Anastasia Island. During the tours, visitors and local residents will hear the Castillo’s cannons fire multiple times between 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m.

There will be six nighttime candlelit living history tours that highlight the events of 1740, each lasting roughly 45 minutes. Tours depart from the ticket both at 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 8 pm. Nonrefundable tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis. They may be purchased at the ticket booth at the monument or by phone Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. by calling (904) 829-6506 ext. 239. Space is limited. The cost is $10 per adult ages 16 and up, $5 per child ages 5 to 15, and children under 5 free. For questions, please call (904) 829-6506 ext. 233