Virtual Tour of Fort Caroline

Panoramic Views of Fort Caroline National Memorial

Explore the park virtually with these photos which guide you through the site. 

 

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The River of May

The wide river that flows before you was an important transportation route for indigenous people for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Captain Jean Ribault named it "River May," when the French first arrived at its mouth on May 1, 1562. Today we know it as the St. Johns River, and it remains an important transportation route for international commerce.

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Walk the Huguenot Trail

A memorial trail leads down to the fort.

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Outside of the Fort

When French colonizers arrived again in 1564, they immediately went to work to build a fortification. This fortification was meant to provide protection against many unknown threats. It's construction would not have been possible without the aid of local indigenous labor.

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Inside the Fort

The interior of the Fort Caroline exhibit features a memorial wall under the pergola which lists the names of all the known people who died in their attempt to establish a French foothold in North America.

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Inside the Gate

The red cannon carriages on the walls near the gate were a main defense for the fort. An exterior moat, and strategic placement along the river were also means of defense. This position also made the fort vulnerable to the shifting shores, some scholars believe the original fort in now eroded into the river.

 

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The Bake Oven

Between 1564 and 1565, the French became more established at Fort Caroline. They constructed a bake oven outside of the fort walls to provide bread for the colonists to eat. The oven was constructed outside of the fort walls to minimize the risk of fire to the structures inside of the fort.

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Village Exhibit

The Timucua Village exhibit features two buildings, a dugout canoe demonstration, examples of plants the Timucua people would have used, a small midden, and seating for our school groups. Here rangers use animal skins, and replica tools to teach people about the Timucua people living here when the French arrived.

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Timucuan Buildings

These exhibits help rangers to explain the everyday life of the Timucua-speaking people who lived in this area. Their real villages would have had many more buildings, been populated by people, their belongings, and would have been a vibrant contrast to these quiet exhibits.

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Find more photos of Fort Caroline National Memorial, our events, and more below.

 

Fort Caroline Favorites

34 Images

Please enjoy some of our favorite photos of Fort Caroline National Memorial.

Fort Caroline - Encampment

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Civil War Encampment at St. Johns Bluff to commemorate the battles for the bluff and war activities on the St. Johns River.