Fort Barrancas

Fort Barrancas is located in Pensacola, Florida, a restored remnant of the fort that was held by three nations throughout the centuries. It is now a popular spot for tourists, educating them on the inspiration that it provided engineer and military genius with so long ago.

The fort overlooks Pensacola Bay, sitting high on a bluff. Its natural strategic advantages born out of its location inspired not one, but three forts on the same spot. The first was constructed by the British in 1763, known then as the Royal Navy Redoubt, out of simple earth and plenty of logs. The second and third were built in about 1797 by the Spanish with a water battery made of masonry at the bottom, known as the Bateria de San Antonio. The third one was remodelled by Americans in 1840, renamed in English as the Water Battery. An extension was built of the second fort in about 1844, making a tunnel connection to the Water Battery. The Water Battery and the extension is the fort that we see today.

Fort Barrancas opens every day from 2pm until dusk, except Saturday when it opens at 11am instead. The fort's visitor center opens from 8:30am to 3:45pm. Best of all, tours and admission are free to everyone.