Fort Caroline

The origins of Fort Caroline date back to 1562, when a French expedition led by Jean Ribault landed in Florida and founded an initial settlement called Charlesfort, which was abandoned after a short time. In 1564, René Goulaine de Laudonnière returned with about 200 settlers and built Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River, named after the French King Charles IX. The colony suffered from hunger, conflicts with indigenous people, and mutinies. A year later, in 1565, Jean Ribault arrived with reinforcements and took command. Almost simultaneously, the Spanish Governor of Florida, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, reached the region with the mission to end the French presence. After initial skirmishes, Menéndez founded St. Augustine. While Ribault pursued the Spanish and encountered a severe storm, Menéndez seized the opportunity for a surprise attack on the lightly garrisoned Fort Caroline. Most defenders were killed; only a few women, children, and some men escaped. Ribault's fleet was destroyed in the storm, and the survivors were later captured and executed by the Spanish. The Spanish destroyed Fort Caroline and built their own fort in its place, which was attacked and destroyed in 1568 by a French force under Dominique de Gourgues. The Spanish rebuilt it but used it for only one more year.

Fort Caroline is located in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA, at an elevation of approximately 7 meters above sea level.

Visitors today can explore a smaller-scale reconstruction of the fort and a visitor center. The site is designated as a National Memorial and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Castillo de San Marcos (fortress), approx. 57.2 km away
• Fort Matanzas (fortress), approx. 78.6 km away
• Fort Frederica (fortress), approx. 93.4 km away
• Fort King George (fortress), approx. 108.6 km away