Fort Barrancas

The history of Fort Barrancas dates back to the 17th century. As early as 1689, the Spanish built a wooden fort here called San Carlos de Austria, which was destroyed by French troops in 1719. In 1763, the English constructed an earthwork, the Royal Navy Redoubt, which was later expanded by the returning Spanish and renamed Fuerte San Carlos de Barrancas. After changing ownership and destructions, the USA began construction of the current massive brick fortress in 1839, completed in 1844. During the American Civil War, early skirmishes occurred here when Confederate troops occupied the fort before it was recaptured by the Union in 1862. After the Civil War, the fortress lost military significance and was deactivated in 1947. Since 1960, Fort Barrancas has been a National Historic Landmark and is managed by the National Park Service. Following extensive restorations, it was opened to the public in 1980.

Fort Barrancas is located in Warrington, Escambia County, Florida, USA, at an elevation of approximately 12 meters above sea level.

Visitors can explore the well-preserved facilities of Fort Barrancas today. It is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

• Fort Pickens (fortress), approx. 2.4 km away
• Fort McRee (fortress), approx. 3.1 km away
• Fort Caroline (fortress), approx. 557.2 km away
• Fort Frederica (fortress), approx. 573.4 km away