Coral Castle

Coral Castle is located in Homestead, Florida, though it hardly resembles a castle at all. Despite this, it has entertained numerous tourist generations and attracted attention to a building made completely of coral.

The castle was constructed by Ed Leedskalnin, an immigrant from Latvia. He used over two million pounds of locally found coral rocks, carving, excavating and constructing the entire building with his bare hands. Most people are astounded to hear that he was such a small and lightweight man.

The castle was Ed's brainchild, a means to impress a girlfriend, a woman that had jilted Ed the day prior to their wedding day. Despite the suggested explanations, Ed had built the castle without telling anyone how he did it. Even today, much of his work is a complete mystery carved moon type crescents, monoliths, gates and walls. How he moved thirty pound blocks is also unknown.

After Ed's lonely death in 1951, the castle was opened to the public three years later. It has withstood even the worst hurricanes and has left behind a marvel that defies explanation.

Coral Castle is open from Friday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm, and from Sunday to Thursday, from 8am to 6pm. However, visitors should call in advance to ensure that weather conditions have not altered the opening times.