Coral Castle is one of the most amazing structures ever built. In terms of accomplishment, it’s been compared to Stonehenge, ancient Greek temples, and even the great pyramids of Egypt. It is amazing, some even say miraculous, because it was quarried, fashioned, transported, and constructed by one man – Edward Leedskalnin who was a 5 foot tall Latvian who weighed just 100 pounds.

Many men have single handedly built their own homes, but Edwards choice of building materials is what makes his undertaking so incredible. He used huge blocks of coral rock, some weighing as much as 30 tons, and somehow was able to move them and set them in place without assistance or the use of modern machinery. And therein lies the mystery.

Edward Leedskalnin and Coral Castle history

Coral Castle is a stone structure that was created by the Latvian-American eccentric Edward Leedskalnin. It can be found south of Miami in Homestead City, Miami Dade county in Florida. The location is at intersection of US 1 (South Dixie highway) and Southwest 157th Avenue. The structure comprises numerous megalithic stones (mostly limestone, formed from coral), each weighing several tons.

Edward Leedskalnin was a young man living in Latvia, when he was jilted by his 16 year old fiancée Agnes Scuffs just one day before their wedding. Feeling heartbroken, he left Latvia and went to live in Canada. After moving around Canada and America for some years, he finally settled in Florida.

During his time in America, he came down with allegedly terminal illness tuberculosis but this was spontaneously healed. Edward stated that magnets had some effect on his disease.

Edward spent over 20 years building the Coral Castle, refusing to allow anyone to view him while he worked. A few teenagers claimed to have witnessed his work, reporting that he had caused the blocks of coral to move like hydrogen ballons. The only tool that Leedskalnin spoke of using was a “perpetual motion holder” – whatever that is !!

Edward originally built the castle, which he named Rock Gate Park, in Florida City in about 1923. He bought some land from Ruben Moser whose wife had helped him when he had been ill with tuberculosis. Florida City, which borders the Florida Everglades is the southernmost city in the United States that is not on an island. It was an extremely remote location with very little development at the time. The castle remained in Florida City until about 1936 when Edward decided to move himself and so wanted to take the castle with him. It is thought that he chose to move in order to protect his privacy as there were discussions going on that the land around him was to be developed. Another theory is that he wanted to move to an area with more people as it was reported that he had been badly beaten up one night by hooligans looking to rob him. He spent three years moving the Coral Castle structures 10 miles north from Florida City to its current location in Homestead.

Edward carried on working on the castle right up until his death in 1951. The coral pieces that are part of the newer castle, not among those transported from the original location, were quarried on the property only a few feet away from the southern wall.

He charged visitors ten cents a head to tour the castle grounds. There are signs carved into the rocks at the front gate to “Ring Bell Twice” and a second sign just inside the property that says “Adm. 10c Drop Below”. He obviously trusted people to pay their entrance fee. He would come down from his living quarters which were the second story of the castle tower and are close to the gate and conduct the tour. If anyone ever asked Edward how he had made the castle, he would never tell them. He would always reply “It’s not difficult if you know how.” If he was asked why he had made Coral Castle, then he would answer quite vaguely that it was for his “Sweet Sixteen.” When Edward became ill in December 1951, he put a sign on the door of the front gate “Going to the Hospital” and he took the bus to a Miami hospital. The doctors discovered he was suffering from malnutrition and he died in hospital three days later.

After his death, and while the property was being investigated, around $3,500 was found among his personal belongings. Leedskalnin had made his income from conducting tours, selling pamphlets about various subjects (including magnetic currents) and the sale of a portion of his 10 acre property for the construction of U.S. Route 1.

As Edward died without leaving a will. The castle became the property of his closest living relative in America. This was a nephew from Michigan named Harry. It is reported that the nephew was in poor health and so he sold the castle to an Illinois family in 1953. However this story differs from the obituary of a former Coral Castle owner, Julius Levin, a retired jeweler from Chicago. His obituary states that Levin had purchased the land from the state of Florida in 1952 and may not have been aware there was even a castle on the land.

The new owners changed the name of Rock Gate Park to Coral Castle and then turned it into a tourist attraction. In January 1981, Levin sold the castle to the Coral Castle, Inc. for $175,000. They remain the owners today. In 1984, The National Register of Historic Places added Rock Gate, also known as Coral Castle, to its list of historic places.

The Castle

The grounds of Coral Castle consist of 1,100 tons of stones found in the forms of walls, carvings, furniture and a castle tower. While commonly referred to as being made up of coral, it is actually made of oolite, also known as oolite limestone. Oliite is a sedimentary rock made up of small spherical grains of concentrically layered carbonate that may include localized concentrations of fossil shells and coral. Oolite is found throughout southeastern Florida from as north as Palm Beach County to as far south as the Florida Keys. Oolite is often found beneath only several inches of topsoil such as at the Coral Castle site.

The stones are held without any mortar, they are simply set on top of each other using their immense weight to keep them together. However, the craftsmanship detail is so skillful that the stones are connected with such precision that no light passes between the seams. The eight foot tall vertical stones that make up the perimeter wall have a uniform height. Even with the passage of decades and a direct hit on August 24 1992 by Category 5 Hurricane Andrew, which leveled everything in the area, the stones have not shifted.

Many of the features and carvings of the castle are notable. Among them are a two story castle tower in which Edward lived. There are walls that consist entirely of eight foot high pieces of coral. There is an accurate sun dial and a Polaris telescope. There is an obelisk, a barbecue, a water well, a fountain, celestial stars and planets, and also numerous pieces of furniture. The furniture pieces include a heart shaped table, a table in the shape of Florida, twenty five rocking chairs, chairs resembling crescent moons, a bathtub, beds and a royal throne.

The Thirty Ton Stone

What is most remarkable about the contents of the Coral Castle is the massive size of the stones that have been used throughout its construction. It is all the more remarkable when you consider that a single man assembled the entire site using only primitive tools. With just a few exceptions, the objects are made from single pieces of stone that weigh on average 15 tons each. The largest stone weighs 30 tons and the tallest stones are two monolithic stones both standing 25 feet high.

A nine ton revolving gate is the most famous structure of the castle and was documented on TV’s In Search of…, and That’s Incredible! The gate is carved so precisely that it fits within a quarter of an inch of the walls on both sides. It was so well balanced that a child could open it with the push of a single finger. The mystery of the gate’s perfectly balanced axis and the amazing ease with which it revolved lasted for decades until the gate suddenly stopped working in 1986. At that time, a team of engineers was brought in for consultation. In order to remove the gate, six men and a fifty ton crane were utilized. Once the gate was removed, the engineers discovered how Edward had centered and balanced the nine ton piece of rock. He had drilled a hole from top to bottom of the eight foot tall gate with no electric tools and inserted a metal shaft. The rock rested on an old truck bearing. It was the rusting out of this bearing that resulted in the gate’s failure to revolve. The nine ton gate, complete with new bearings, and a replaced shaft was lifted and set back into place on July 23 1986. The gate failed again in 2005 and was subsequently repaired, however it does not rotate with the same ease it once did. This just goes to show what a great engineer Edward really was.

Controversy surrounding its construction

The structure is considered mysterious by some, mainly because it is said that one man assembled the entire structure. Edward Leedskalnin seems to have gone to great lengths to ensure that he was not observed working. Edward did much of his work at night by lantern light. The Coral Castle has numerous lookouts along the Castle walls that were designed to help protect his privacy.

There are various theories that believe that Edward constructed the Castle using some unknown form of science. For example, it has been claimed that he left behind the blueprints of nature, a “Secret Knowledge of the Ancients”. Such theories seem to be discounted by evidence such as photographs which exist showing him working apparently using traditional methods like block and tackle.

There is skepticism as to the success of the traditional methods of tripods equipped with pulleys and chains that are in the photographs of Edward working. Some point out that the tripods appear to only rise about 20 feet while the largest stones are 25 feet long and stand vertical. They claim that tripods that are made from wooden telephone poles could not support the larger stones. There are not enough pulleys to lessen the weight of the stones enough that a 100 pound man could exert enough force to lift the stones. The three eights inch thick chains that can still be found in the Tool Room of the Castle Tower and which are seen in the photographs are only rated with a 3.5 ton workload and may not be able to support the weight of the stones. However, these claims have not been rigorously analyzed by either engineers or scientists.

It is claimed that if anyone ever questioned Edward about how he moved the blocks of coral, he would only reply that he understood the laws of weight and leverage well. He also stated that he had “discovered the secrets of the pyramids”, which of course could be interpreted in either esoteric or engineering terms.

Despite the skepticism of traditional building methods at least one person, W. T. Wallington, has shown that he can produce feats of this nature using only simple tools. Given this type of construction method, the statements of Edward Leedskalnin and the evidence surrounding its construction this could be the way he built coral castle.

Other bits of information

Billy Idol wrote and recorded the song “Sweet Sixteen” and filmed the video in the Coral Castle. The song was inspired by the story of Edwards former love, Agnes Scuffs, who was the main reason he built the structure.

Contemporary Christian artist Andrew Peterson recorded a song entitled “The Coral Castle” as an unrequited love song from the point of view of Edward. It can be found on his album “Carried Along”.

The New York-based band Pinataland wrote a song about Leedskalnin and the Coral Castle, called “Latvian Bride”. The Wild Women of Wongo used the Coral Castle for their dragon god temple in the eponymous 1958 film. The 1961 Doris Wishman film Nude on the Moon used the Coral Castle as the “moon” scene for the moon people’s home.

Cuban American author Daina Chaviano has dedicated a whole chapter to Coral Castle in her novel The Island of Eternal Love.

Coral Castle was the subject an episode of Leonard Nimoy’s program In Search of…. The episode, The Castle of Secrets (aka Coral Castle) was episode 16 of season 5; it included a re-enactment of Edward Leedskalnin magically moving the stones.

About the Author

This article was written by Phil Cornish. Designer and owner of http://www.FloridaSunTime.com. The Florida website providing Orlando Florida private vacation villas, Disney rental homes and Disney world rental houses and http://www.Simply-Florida.com – luxury vacation villa in Kissimmee.

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The Coral Castle, Homestead, Florida

Las Vegas Travel Guide is the simplest way to explore the city if you do not want to miss a single attraction. However, some of the things that are not to be missed when visiting Las Vegas are the giant clown in front of the Circus and a copy of the Great Pyramid. If you are looking for low peak seasons of traveling in Las Vegas then November to February is the perfect period when you can avail discount offers of the hotel rooms and flight tickets. To see the whole city it will take time so there may be necessity to extend your stay in the city. The luxurious hotels of the city can be a homely abode for your temporary stay.

Other than Las Vegas, Florida is also a great place to explore. The major attraction of Florida is Disney World which is well known for its theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, shopping and dinning venues, etc. Orlando has great weather most of the time though it has been known to rain off and on for several days. Most of the parks have indoor activities as well as the outdoor ones. The four main theme parks of Disney include the animal kingdom, the magic kingdom, Epcot, and MGM studios. However, to get clear idea just follow Florida travel guide which indicates every tourist attractions.

About the Author

Rogers Ronald, an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism topics and recommends travel.worldmapsinfo.com for world travel guide, Las Vegas Travel Guide and Florida travel guide information.

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Exploring the Alluring city of Las Vegas and Florida

Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay features all kinds of attractions which include rides and roller coasters, lash greenery or the botanical garden, and the chance to come close encounter with the wild life where you can experience the great adventures. Buy Busch Gardens tickets to experience the rides of Montu, Gwazi, Python, etc. Moreover, elephants, Rhinos, White Bengal Tigers, Alligators, Hippos are also found in great numbers. So enjoy jeep safari to have close view of these wild animals.

Cirque du Soleil is a world famous circus show where music plays a major role for entertainment. The music played from background rhythmically meets the steps of the performers. The well experienced acrobats lure the audience in huge numbers and create an excellent impact over the minds. In the showroom of Cirque Du Soleil over 1600 guests can be accommodated at a time. This live circus show has gained an international name and fame in stage entertainment and performances. Cirque du Soleil tickets enable you to enjoy the show which will fill your mind with unlimited excitement and joy. The well clad acrobats perform impeccably the show without any animals. The dangerous steps or the performances can thrill you with excitement and pleasure. From the beginning to the shows end you cannot understand where the time flies. The colourful lightings, music and thrilling acts will encourage you to come back again to see this well recognized circus show.

About the Author

Buy Orlando Attractions Florida from Online store and save big amount. Don’t miss out the attractive deals on Busch Gardens Tickets and Cirque du Soleil Tickets.

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Florida: Exciting Attractions of Orlando Busch Gardens

Plantation Beach Club At Indian River Plantation Resort

Part of Hutchinson Island, the Plantation Beach Club knows how to get relaxation and romance started. With all of the amenities the resort offers, this can be a great for a family or romantic vacation. Hutchinson has numerous dining activities and evening events from which to choose. Outdoor activities include all types of water activities, golf, tennis, hiking, biking, and much more. If you run out of things to do, Stuart and Palm Beach are close by for shopping and entertainment. They also have supervised children’s activities.

Seawatch On-The-Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach

A short distance from Fort Myers Beach, Seawatch On-the-Beach focuses on comfort to make you feel right at home. This peaceful lodging is surrounded by the beach, which only increases the romantic appeal of the area. The ideal spot to enjoy all of the aspects the Gulf of Mexico and the quaint beach community has to offer. Fort Myers Beach is known for its many unique shops, restaurants and lively night life – but most travel here for the miles of powder white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife.

Club Regency, Marco Island

To combine romance with exciting urban amenities, Club Regency of Marco Island hits at the top of the list. This area is best known for its famous golfing opportunities, water fun, and fishing. This area has an exciting nightlife as well as some of the best shopping and dining opportunities in the state. They have a selection of specialty shops, and restaurants that serve an abundance fresh seafood and local fare. If you are ready for more relaxing activities, the area has archaeological and historical sites to explore.

Tortuga Beach Club Resort, Sanibel Island

As much as a family resort as it is one of romantic sophistication, the Tortuga Beach Club Resort doesn’t lack for luxury. High-quality golfing and tennis opportunities are just the start. You can relax in the spa or enjoy the heated pool. Like the other Florida beach resorts, this one has access to the beach, however, theirs is private. They also have gas barbeques available for an entertaining evening next to the water. If you prefer worldly dining, various establishments in Captiva and Sanibel have top chefs from around the world.

These four Florida beach resorts are just a small sampling of the many romantic spots to plan your vacation. Decide what type of holiday you would like to have, what types of activities you would like to partake in, and select the one that will give you all that and more.

About the Author

Jon Buschlen is a Floridian who loves vacationing with Florida Grand Vacations Company. They have a variety of luxury Florida beach resorts to choose from including those found on Marco Island, Hutchinson Island, and Fort Myers Beach.

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4 Unforgettable South Florida Beach Resorts For A Romantic Vacation

Miami appeals to holiday makers wanting warm sun, clean sandy beaches, a laid back lifestyle, sophisticated entertainment in clubs and bars and a mix of art, music and international cuisines.

Travelers visiting Miami may actually spend their time in Miami Beach, a separate municipality situated 4 miles (6 km) across Biscayne Bay from downtown Miami. The combined greater Miami area includes several ethnic neighborhoods such as Little Havana and Little Haiti.

The population of the Greater Miami Area is a 50% mix of assorted Hispanic and the diverse cultural mix is evident in Latin American languages, cuisine and music throughout the city and. Dining in Miami offers the opportunity to visit a different ethnic restaurant every night and enjoy diverse international cuisines.

Once upon a time, Miami attracted mostly retirees turning their backs on snowy, colder climates but nowadays it attracts the ultra-chic glitterati, cashed up yuppies, the boating and yachting fraternity and Cuban immigrants.

** Miami Vacation Attractions

Greater Miami is a great base for access to several major Florida holiday attractions. The northern tip of the Florida Keys is just off shore, the Everglades are just a short distance inland and the affluent enclaves of Palm Beach and Boca Roton are just a short distance along the coast.

The Miami Beach Promenade, aka South Beach, is a favorite spot for cyclists, skaters, joggers and skateboarders. This is the most instantly recognized beach front location in existence and the place to be seen if appearances are important.

Many of the early Miami buildings from the early 1900′s have been restored. A walking tour around the South Beach precinct is recommended to see the spectacular rejuvenation of the 1920′s buildings in the Art Deco Historic District.

Miami boasts fine museums, galleries, historic gardens, zoos, sports stadiums, spring fed natural pools and of course, the ever present golf courses. Greater Miami has lots to brag about when it comes to world class golf courses and is home to some of the most testing courses in the world.

** Miami Vacation Cruises

The busiest cruise ship center of any city in the USA is the Port of Miami with holiday cruises to the Caribbean and Latin America making up the bulk of these cruises, but there are also cruises to all parts of the world.

Cruises are usually well equipped for gambling and casinos open as soon as the ship passes into international waters. Non stop food, games, movies and onboard activities ensure guests are always entertained and well fed.

** Miami Hotels & Resorts

Miami visitors are offered a range of hotels, resorts and vacation rentals to satisfy all tastes and budgets. There’s accommodation and prices to suit everyone, ranging from the restored boutique hotels in the Art Deco and South Beach district, modern glass and chrome high rise hotels, budget hostels, beach front condos and villas, serviced apartments, inns and guesthouses… it’s your choice.

** Miami Vacation Transport

Miami International Airport is one of the major airports in the USA, and a major hub city for American Airlines. Major domestic airlines such as Delta, Northwest/KLM, United and US Airways and Continental all servive Miami as well as several economy carriers.

There are two Amtrak trains that run daily from New York down to Miami and the travel time is approximately 27 hours.

The Metro-Dade Transit Agency runs two Miami rail systems, one being Metrorail which is a modern elevated commuter train that connects downtown Miami and the southern suburbs. Metromover is an elevated line looping the downtown precinct and connecting with many of the important attractions, shopping and business districts.

Tri Rail is the south Florida commuter train service that connects Miami with North Palm Beach and all centers in between.

Copyright (c) 2008 Terry Hely

About The Author
Terry Hely specializes in travel destination guides as planning resources for holiday makers. Find out more about Miami vacations from his page at http://www.go-florida.net/miami.htm

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Welcome To Miami

Fort De Soto Beach is a historic fort built during the Spanish-American War located on Mullet Key. This 900- acre park has 7 miles of beaches, 2 fishing piers, picnic and camping areas, a small history museum and a 2,000-ft. nature trail.

Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi is one of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands in Florida, and is only accessible by boat. It is an perfect locations for swimming, fishing, picnics, diving, hiking and nature study.

Key Biscayne’s beaches in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park’s visitors can stroll by the Atlantic, charter a deep-sea fishing boat, ride a jet ski, or just relax. It’s one of the best places in Greater Miami for golf, sunbathing & water sports

Perdido Key is a natural paradise is home to plentiful native wildlife. The clear green waters and miles of soft white sand are perfect for sunbathing or water sports and it’s considered one of the America’s best swimming beaches.

South Beach is a happening hot-spot with a chic night life. The “American Riviera” is great for couples on spring break (that can afford it anyway) since rowdy crowds of teenagers are rarely seen on its upscale sands.

Greater Fort Lauderdale has 23 miles of sun-drenched beaches and is perfect for people watching or shopping and dining at any number of great beach shops and restaurants that line the clean and eco-friendly beaches.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park’s miles of white sand beaches and striking dune formations characterize this Florida Panhandle area. Boating, saltwater fishing, camping, canoeing and hiking are all popular St. Joseph Peninsula activities.

Clearwater Beach offers nearly every water and beach activity conceivable, and nearby Pier 60 Park has a family recreation complex with playgrounds, fishing and concession stands.

Anastasia State Park is home to several rare, threatened and endangered species. Located on Anastasia Island, near St. Augustine, this beach provides opportunities for Camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, beach volleyball, boating and more.
St. George Island State Park sits on 9 miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes. It is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, and is a perfect setting for a quiet Florida getaway.

Daytona Beach is called the “World’s Most Famous Beach”. Visitors can drive automobiles on the sand by day and stroll the boardwalk by night, stopping occasionally to enjoy the arcades. Daytona Beach is also a major surfing hotspot.

Siesta Key is one of the most popular the beaches on the southwest coast of Florida and is famous for its soft white sand. Amenities include lifeguards, concessions, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, showers & volleyball & tennis courts.

Author Bio
Looking for more information on Florida Beaches check out visitusa.com your outdoor adventure travel guide

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Best Beaches in Florida