Florida’s landscape tells a story that stretches back over 300 years, long before the United States even existed. The Spanish arrived in the early 1500s and left behind an incredible collection of forts, missions, settlements, and archaeological treasures that still stand today.
These sites aren’t just old buildings gathering dust—they’re tangible connections to a time when Florida was the northern frontier of Spain’s massive empire in the Americas. Here is a list of 20 Spanish colonial sites in Florida that showcase this remarkable heritage.
Castillo De San Marcos
Standing guard over St. Augustine’s bayfront since 1695, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. The Spanish built this massive structure using coquina, a unique stone made from compressed shells that actually absorbed cannonballs rather than shattering under impact.
The fort never fell to enemy attack during its entire service life, withstanding multiple British sieges and even surviving into the modern era as a National Monument that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Mission Nombre De Dios
Founded in 1587, Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine marks one of the earliest attempts to establish Christianity in what would become the United States. The site features a towering 208-foot stainless steel cross visible for miles, commemorating where Spanish missionaries first celebrated Mass on American soil…