Fort Matanzas National Monument
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Created in 1924, Fort Matanzas National Monument is a United States National Monument run by the National Park Service. The Monument consists of a 1740 Spanish fort, Fort Matanzas, and about 100 acres (0.4 km²) of salt marsh and barrier islands along the Matanzas River on the northern Atlantic coast of Florida. It is operated by the Park Service in conjunction with the Castillo de San Marcos and several sites in the city of St. Augustine. When St. Augustine was burned by the British in 1702 by sailing up the Matanzas River and into the city, the Spanish realized that this inlet must be protected. Consequently, Fort Matanzas was built on Rattlesnake Island out of range of the British man of wars, but able to blast any small ship out of the water.
The Fort is accessible only by guided boat tours. Hiking trails are available on the barrier island.
For the etymology of "Matanzas" see Matanzas River.