Castillo by Candlelight: Enemy at the Gates

Visitors to the Castillo de San Marcos can experience history come to life at the Castillo's annual 1740 Siege Night event, "Enemy at the Gates," on Friday, December 6, 2024. The special tour features living history demonstrations depicting the fort as it would have been under the 1740 British siege.

The 40-minute tours depart from the ticket booth every 15 minutes and will take visitors through the different stations at the fort as the reenactors prepare for the oncoming attack from British General, James Oglethorpe.

Several stations are set up inside the Castillo where volunteers in period dress will interpret how the Spanish prepared for the siege. This living tour of the 1740 event highlights the evening before the counterattack at Fort Mose, where the British enemy was encamped. Staff and volunteers at the Castillo de San Marcos will portray the Spanish perspective during the siege as cannons are fired from the gundeck.

The history behind the 1740 Oglethorpe Siege: British forces from Georgia and South Carolina occupied Anastasia Island, Point Quartell, and Fort Mose. British General James Oglethorpe laid siege and was poised to run the Spanish from St. Augustine. Citizens were terrified about the possibility of losing their homes. All townspeople clung to the hope that the Spanish forces would strike a blow from the Castillo that would send the English invaders away. The siege took place between June and July of 1740 and was part of a larger conflict known as the War of Jenkins' Ear between Spain and Britain.

Sensory Information:
This event includes darkened spaces lit only by the guide's lantern, the smell of smoke and gunpowder, and loud, unannounced cannon fire.

Admission: This is a ticketed event and reservations are required. Make reservations online. Ticket prices: $15.00 per adult (16 and older). $5.00 for ages 6 - 15, and $1.00 for children five and younger.

When: Friday, December 6, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tour times are 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, 7:45, and 8:00 p.m.

Where: Castillo de San Marcos, 1 S. Castillo Drive in St. Augustine, Florida 32084.

Tips: This event takes place during Nights of Lights, so the city will be busy and parking could be difficult to find. Arrive early. The Castillo has paid parking from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Photo: DeeLee Productions took the photo of three reenactors around a candlelit table above.

For more information on this event please call (904) 829-6506.