Coral Castle

Coral Castle was built by Edward Leedskalnin from 1920 to 1940.  He built it from coral and without help from anyone, which is amazing considering the weight of some of the coral blocks.  Edward built the castle for the love of his life, Agnes Scuffs, who refused to marry him one day before their wedding because she thought he was too old for her.

This gate is considered Ed's most outstanding achievement.  The gate is 80 inches wide, 92 inches tall, and 21 inches thick.  It weighs 18,000 pounds but what makes it so amazing is that Ed found the exact center of balance so it can be opened using one finger to move it!

Most of the coral looks like this, all without chisel marks.

This coral was washed by the sea making it look striped.

Bougainvillea growing from the coral.

Polaris Telescope, at 25 feet tall and weighing 40,000 pounds it's crossed wires point to the North Star.  

The Planets; Saturn and the moon are in this photo.

Florida Table carved in the exact shape of Florida; he also added Florida's largest lake where it is located on the map.

Lake Okeechobee carved into the Florida table.  The chairs around this table weigh 1,000 each and rock!

Angel's Trumpet Tree

Rainbow Agama

The Well, a remarkable fresh water well that Ed used to drink, cool himself, store food, and fill his bathtub!

Ed's Mirror - a piece of slate covered with water provided enough reflection for Ed to shave and comb his hair!

Obelisk, this piece is 40 feet and 57,000 pounds with a wind vane on its top.  

Grotto of the Three Bears, closest in the photo is baby bear's chair, next mama bear, and finally papa bear's chair.  The beds and bowls for porridge are also in the Children's Playground.

Ed did many experiments with electricity, copper, and magnetism.  He put copper on the soles of his boots.  Scott is helping our guide with an experiment you can try... Scott is going to drop 3 round magnets down the copper pipe.  What do you think will happen?  Try it and find out.  Scott took the magnets apart and dropped only one magnet.  What do you think happened?