Often referred to as America’s Stonehenge, Coral Castle was hand-sculpted from over 1,100 tons of coral rock. In addition to two story block walls, the native coral was carved into a variety of objects, including a rocking chair, fountain, dining table in the shape of the state of Florida, sundial, and a nine-ton gate that could be moved with the pressure of just two fingers. This might not be so extraordinary except for the fact that all this work was completed by a single man, Edward Leedskalnin, who stood just over five feet tall and weighed only 100 pounds.

Coral Castle is filled with fascinating sculptured hewn from the local coral

The coral that he worked on was sometimes 4,000 feet thick, yet he cut and moved huge coral blocks using only hand tools. Even more mysterious, during the 28 years Leedskalnin labored on the project, no one ever witnessed him move a single piece of coral into place. He worked mostly at night by lantern light, and had an uncanny sense of when he was being observed. Whenever he was questioned about how he accomplished these feats of engineering he would only reply that he understood the laws of weights and leverage.

Nine-ton door rotates with the pressure from two fingers

The monumental project is often said to be a tribute to Leedskalnin’s true love, who left him at the altar the day before their wedding, however others speculate that this story was a cover for much more mysterious purposes. At various locations around the site numbers and symbols are carved into the coral; some believe the numbers, if thoroughly understood, would explain the methods Leedskalnin used to build the castle. Some claim the giant obelisk with a circular hole in the top that lines up perfectly with the North Star is proof of astrological significance. Still others point out the eerie similarity of many carvings to Masonic symbols. Spiritualists insist that nine ley lines – electromagnetic bands that circle the earth and are said to steer birds on their migrations – converge at Coral Castle, making it a powerful energy and meditation spot.

Visitors inspect some of the coral sculptures said to have Masonic significance

We may never know the true significance of the site, since Edward Leedskalnin took the secret with him to the grave. But it is great fun to sit in the giant coral thrones, puzzle over the working sundial, and lie on the coral beds while wondering how one diminutive man could possibly have achieved such a feat.

Coral Castle is located in Homestead, Florida. The facility is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., year-round. Admission is $9.75 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 7-12 (under age 6 free), and $6.50 for senior citizens (62+).

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels