People do crazy things for love, but this has to be one of the craziest (in a good way). Coral Castle in Homestead is one of Florida’s most fascinating roadside attractions. Every Floridian should explore this man-made marvel at least once.
At first glance, this Florida roadside attraction looks like it sprang to life from The Flinstones.
Flickr/Christina Wray
It was actually built around 1923, and the 10-cent admission sign reflects this. The mystery lies in how Coral Castle was built. You see, all of its materials were sourced, moved, and carved by one man (who was quite small in stature). This man was a Latvian immigrant named Ed Leedskalnin.
Flickr/Tigrilla yvette Soler
Step inside the front gate, and you’ll find huge monoliths carved into all kinds of statues and structures to create a unique home.
Flickr/lancearoundorlando
There are beds and lots of chairs to relax in (though we’re not sure how comfy they would be).
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
And tables for dining. This one is carved into a huge heart. In fact, all of Coral Castle was meant as a sort of love-letter to Ed’s “Sweet Sixteen,” a girl from his hometown who had broken his heart by backing out of their marriage. (There’s also a table in the shape of Florida.)
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
So this impressive castle was designed as a sort of fantasy home for them, with everyhing you could need, even a stone bathtub.
Flickr/psyberartist
There are other structures, including large carvings of moons and planets, a fountain, a barbecue, a well, and even a telescope pointed at the North Star.
Flickr/Simon Davison
The large two-story tower was where Ed lived. He would come down to give tours when visitors rang the doorbell.
Flickr/Pietro Valocchi
On-site, there is a room filled with Ed’s tools, which are all very simple. Ed never gave away how he built all of this alone, prefering to let people believe he knew some kind of ancient secrets, or “secrets of the pyramids,” that defied gravity. Though it’s called Coral Castle, the stone is actually oolitic limestone, which can contain shells and coral.
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
Coral Castle is really an incredible place and one that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Flickr/Christina Wray
Flickr/Tigrilla yvette Soler
Flickr/lancearoundorlando
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
Flickr/psyberartist
Flickr/Simon Davison
Flickr/Pietro Valocchi
Address: 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033.
Have you ever visited Coral Castle? What’s your favorite roadside attraction in Florida?
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