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Coral Castle
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Museums, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
28655 S Dixie HwyHomestead, FL 33033
(305) 248-6345
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8 am - 6 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
42 reviews for Coral Castle
Review Highlights
"In one way, it is incredible that one man did all this."
(in 5 reviews)
"Our tour guides, by the way, were great."
(in 11 reviews)
"Either way it is definitely worth the visit."
(in 4 reviews)
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42 reviews in English
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Review from Cristy M.
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great eccentric Florida roadside attraction. Bonus: We went on a "cool" Florida day (today) right between their busier visitor season. We got the best fresh air and bright sunlight and were able to explore the small outdoor site with relative ease. It was pleasant and really adorable. Our tour guides, by the way, were great. They had a lot of information about Coral Castle, Ed, and general South Florida roadside attractions, particularly of the quirky and eccentric variety--the kinds that we're always on the lookout for.
There's no point in explaining what Coral Castle is since, really, you can find out yourself either from other reviews or from a visit to the museum's website. If you know what you're in for and you still want to visit, you won't be disappointed. It's $12 admission and there are plenty of souveniers that will put you out a bit but, honestly, it's worth if it you can spend it and you want to see the site. You're helping preserve Florida history at its kitsch-finest and you're ensuring that this little bit of Florida beautiful weirdness stays operational.
Note: There's an informational video at the lounge right before you get into the castle that's a tremendous help in giving you background when you finally get in. It's helpful in knowing what you're really "looking" for. This is great kitsch. I can't recommend it any more than I have. You'll probably spend an hour tops here unless, like us, you spend some real quality time talking with the tour guides.
A really lovely experience all around. -
Review from Tara J.
11/28/2011
I'd give this closer to a 3.5 I guess, but the admission price just seemed a bit steep for this attraction at $12/person.
The history of Ed and how he lived and created this castle is fascinating. Walking inside his living quarters (he was a short guy) and imagining what life was like for him is quite intriguing.
The tour guides will walk you through each of the areas of the castle and provide commentary and speculation about how and why he built areas of the castle the way he did, but no one REALLY knows the specifics. Historians have sort of pieced together the meanings of his work, and created a story that is believable and likely.
Worth a visit if you don't mind paying this price. Maybe I'm just frugal. Plan to spend an hour here to walk around and take the tour. There is a little cafe on site that sells Keurig coffees and snacks, but nothing substantial. Restrooms are clean, and the gift shop offers some souvenirs.
For Florida residents, be sure to get your "Florida Pass" in the gift shop after your tour. This enables you to FREE admission if you return to Coral Castle with a paying guest. -
Review from Primo L.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Much like the continuum transfunctioner, the mystery of Coral Castle is exceeded only by its power.
This is Florida kitsch at its finest. Hard to explain, even harder to understand, just take the family or friends out here and prepare to be blown away by the seemingly supernatural feat of engineering.
Note: Coral Castle should never be confused with NPR's Carl Kassel. Trust me, it's embarrassing to travel all the way to Mr Kassel's home only to find there's no castle. -
Review from Stacey R.
Rumson, NJ
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic place to go. Especially great for engineers and those interested in the sciences
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Review from Sam S.
Coral Castle is a quirky, eccentric Florida roadside attraction. The history of Ed, the castle's creator, and the story of how he built and lived in the "castle" is really interesting. Our tour guide filled us in on a lot of the history and Ed's story and we really enjoyed our visit. Ed was certainly a character and it would be fun to have met the man. The admission cost is a little expensive given that there isn't a ton to see, but I would suggest visiting if you are nearby and don't mind paying the admission cost. I'm a big fan of eccentric roadside attractions and this place was fun.
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Review from Tracie H.
Miami-Dade, FL
12/12/2011 13 photos
A little pricy for the size. However, interesting pieces of history. I like the self guides tours. They do have tour guides. You really don't need one. Nice to go at least once. $12 for adult admission.
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Review from RICARDO F.
Miami, FL
11/14/2011
Spectacular place to lose track of time and go camera crazy. The history and mystery surrounding this landmark is astounding. One man's long lost love as they say forever waiting for his "Sweet Sixteen" . Basically its a marvel made out Coral that was built by one man by moonlight without the help of modern equipment; and happens to align Astrologically with several stars..
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Review from Natalia B.
Hoffman Estates, IL
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am really on the fence between 3 and 4 stars.In one way, it is incredible that one man did all this. In another, it's twelve bucks for something that holds your interest for about 15 minutes(My boyfriend was bored in about 5 minutes). The place is pretty small. The "interactive" displays didn't work.
But, again, one guy built it and that's pretty cool. -
Review from Tonya T.
Santa Cruz, CA
6/25/2011
It was pretty awesome! There was a very good history behind everything, and some incredible phenomena as well. Plus it was beautiful.
You just have to go there to understand... -
Review from Joseph S.
Miami, FL
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really awesome!!! Incredible how one man did this, kinda slaps the supernatural Egyptian pyramid crowd in the face.
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Review from Karen L.
Chattanooga, TN
3/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is amazing! So filled with mystery and mystique. My family and I had a great time and were so glad we made the time to check it out.
The staff was extremely nice and helpful. They seemed to enjoy answering our questions (as best they could) just as much as we enjoyed asking! The man who created the castle, Ed, is such a mysterious character he has been on my mind for days! He was definitely unique and had some very opinionated thoughts (just read his pamphlets).
Once you visit the Coral Castle the place and the wonder will stay with you for the rest of your life, guaranteed! -
Review from Val M.
10/28/2010 1 photo
Love makes people do crazy things. A man scorned by his only love in Latvia moved the US and carved a tribute to his love for her out of coral. This wonder sits about 30 minutes south of Miami in Homestead. If you are visiting Miami on vacation, It is a quick and easy drive and it provides a serene break from the hustle and bustle of South Beach.
The castle is a cost effective activity and the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. It was a hot , humid day when we went and I was able to stop in the gift shop and get a nice iced latte to take with me while I was exploring.
You can stay as long as you like and wander from "room" to "room" and feel the pain and love Ed must have felt as he spent the majority of his life creating this amazing work of art.Listed in: Bienvenido a Miami
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Review from Paul M.
4/26/2010
File this under " Why I love America."
Take one small Latvian guy in love with a 16 year old 20 years his junior. Then have her ditch him cos she thinks he is old and wierd. ( Hint - she was correct) He leaves Latvia, come to the US, spends 20 years travelling the country doing oddjobs, then ends up in Florida and builds this frikkin place over the next 20 years as a monument to his one lost love.
Absolutely brilliant- built from scratch by hand using tools the guy pulled together from car parts and involving Easter-Island like feats of leverage and engineering with massive blocks of coral, this is a testament to one man's magnificent obsession.
He died in the early 50s, she died in 1980 as an old lady in Latvia, knowing about this place, but never having visited it.
I absolutely loved it. -
Review from Krystyn P.
Miami, FL
3/17/2011
This place is so weird and awesome. The guy was a little crazy, and a lot of genius. There is a limit of unique things to do around Miami (plenty of drinking and clubbing) so I recommend you make the drive and go check it out. It makes for a good photo for the Christmas Card and definitely better than the Mystery Spot when it comes to weird.
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Review from Vanessa T.
Atlanta, GA
5/19/2009 4 photos
I find the comparisons to Stonehenge a bit much, but otherwise, it's a solid diversion. It has mystery, intrigue, unrequited love, a spartan existence, cosmology, OCD, and all the other makings of a Wes Anderson/Wes Craven joint venture.
We paid our $10 each [it was originally 10 cents; this level of inflation is ridiculous] only to be told the tour guide was on her lunch break. There were a half dozen people aimlessly wandering around, waiting for riveting storytelling in the unapologetic heat of Homestead.
We opted to read the educational materials aloud while visiting each of the aspects/features. We didn't have fanny packs and Hawaiian shirts to complete the look, but we were your Worst Tourist Nightmare. At some point, you just relish the bizarre circumstances of the Castle's existence and your patronage.
On our way out, we finally saw the tour guide returning from her lunch. Given her sweaty brow and grim expression, I think it's safe to say our reenactment and accented readings were the way to go. -
Review from Carla L.
5/18/2008
Try hitting Coral Castle during the winter months as you are walking outdoors. Either way it is definitely worth the visit. The story behind it is the fodder for creative folk to use as the basis for a great romantic tragedy or psychological thrillers. This goes to show what a heart broken by a little heartless wench can do.
Any way you look at it, this tiny man built such an amazing place that it is worth the visit. It is rumored that he had the secret to the engineering that enabled the Egyptians to build the pyramids. Who knows how he did it. No matter what, he was a brilliant man who managed to do something that most of us cannot.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is interested in amazing feats. Most people might not "get it", but if you are one to enjoy architecture, engineering or just "Ripley's Believe it or not" type places then go. YES, get the tour. Then go hit some of the amazing Mexican restaurants in the area. -
Review from Paul C.
Alburtis, PA
7/22/2011
Please see the link for the Coral Castle website and research this amazing creation. We were there on a hot day and the staff was very helpful. We were free to browse the grounds and take pictures. This place is exactly as I expected it would be. Truly a modern day, man made marvel.
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Review from nona l.
El Toro, CA
8/21/2009
If you like weird and absurd things, you must visit the Coral Castle. At first glance, it's a crude, strange place made by an odd man. I took the tour, and I'm glad I did because I learned a lot about his intentions - it was basically a doll house for his imaginary family.
The story of Ed is a sad one. He was as lonely as it gets.
The gift shop is pretty terrible. It's a bunch of crap thrown together. But don't let that stop you - the castle is one-of-a-kind. -
Review from Suzanne G.
New York, NY
5/19/2008
This is the weirdest place I have ever been to.
First off, I lived in Florida for 13 years and never even heard of it until my friend from CT came down. We drove through a mini-ghetto to get here, only to find the castle at an intersection, surrounded by gas stations. Such a weird location.
What is the point of this coral castle? It's so random... and unsettling. If someone built me a castle in the middle of a swamp after I rejected him, I would get a restraining order put against him. No wonder this guy died alone.
We were the only people visiting at the time, and the tour guide wasn't too friendly. I found that odd... she avoided us the entire time.
I wouldn't go out of my way to see this place, and the entrance fee is overpriced. $10, really???
Fun trivia fact: A Billy Idol video was shot here. Sweet 16 or something like that... not his best work. -
Review from Sarah D.
3/20/2011 4 photos
Coral Castle was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Florida and the Caribbean. Not only is it visually gorgeous and impressively made, but it is definitely a place of trippy ass metaphysical power. I have no idea what is actually going on there, but there is a real power you can feel in the place. If you have a chance to read any books or listen to any of the shows about it in the Coast to Coast AM archives before going, the info and perspective will definitely enhance your experience there. We also had a great tour guide when we went. I wish I knew his name, but he was an African American man in his 50's (hope I didn't get his age wrong). He was a wealth of knowledge. Make sure to get on one of his tours if he is available.
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Review from Robin J.
Jamaica Plain, MA
4/6/2008
This is easily one of the creepiest places I've ever been to.
A stalker type built this monument to his much younger arranged marriage-style betrothed, who apparently cold dumped his ass. Sounds like a smart move on her part, cos this guy was a hot mess. He somehow managed to move around giant, multi-ton hunks of coral and create all these different weird sculptures and structures- without any machines. He built a throne for him and his 'queen'; giant planets; huge walls to keep prying neighbors' eyes from discovering his techniques for building. There's some eerie magnetic energy there; on the tour the guide will instruct you to stand in the corner of his tool shed, and upon doing so you're immediately tugged to the right by some strange force.
So basically, this guy harnessed the mystical force and energy of the pyramids and used it to create the biggest homage to stalking that has ever existed.
Kudos, crazy guy. Kudos. -
Review from cindy w.
New York, NY
2/2/2007
Coral Castle is a local oddity in South Florida's landscape. This architectural landmark was built as a tribute to love from a lonely eccentric to his beloved. It's made entirely of --you guessed it-- coral.
The mystery? No one can figure out how a a 100lb., 5ft. tall man could make it without any machinery. An interesting pitstop but only if you're in the area, I wouldn't make it a MUST-SEE, you can cruise it in under an hour...mebbe if you were in the area to see the EvergladesListed in: Sightseeing SoFla: mashup…
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Review from Tamara L.
9/19/2009
This was such a fun place to visit when I was a kid and we went on school field trips. Earlier this year I went back as an adult and gained a whole new appreciation for it. A "home" built out of coral rock. Granted it's not a house like you might be thinking, but almost an abstract representation of one. But still to be appreciated.
It's one of those places that if you live in Miami, you should at least go see it once in your lifetime. It's a nice piece of local history, old Ed and his house. What that man did for love . . . -
Review from Gustavo A. L.
Miami, FL
7/12/2009
This is one of these places that make Miami the Magic City. The place is quite interesting and bizarre. The story is quite intriguing and the myth is really interesting and the mystery of the whole place seems to be beyond a scientific explanation.
It is nice to visit this place, take everything at face value, enjoy its history and go with the flow. Feel good to be free to make up your versions of what really happened here. -
Review from Jessica P.
Atlanta, GA
2/23/2011
One of the coolest things I've ever seen. Seriously, this rocks. I told my boyfriend that I want to get married here...will he give me a coral ring?
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Review from Nicky W.
Homestead, FL
5/27/2007 3 photos
I love this place! It is kooky! If you have kid's you must go for the Easter Egg Hunt! My son actually got tired of looking for eggs they had so many.
Billy Idol wrote a song about this place"Sweet Sixteen". It's a short vist-1 hour tops, but different and the staff works hard to entertain you. -
Review from Kaylin B.
11/29/2009
This is a pretty cool place to check out if you're ever in South Florida.
Straight from their brochure,
"One tiny man,obsessed with his love for a young girl, labored for 28 years to build a coral rock monument for her. Incredibly, he carved and moved over 100 tons of rock without human assistance."
Its quite amazing. You can go through it in less than an hour. Make sure to use your AAA discount. Its an open door fortress/castle. -
Review from Mary E.
1/30/2011
I loved it! The Coral Castle is a really unique, quirky piece of Florida history. I definitely recommend taking the guided tour so you get the most of your visit. The structure itself is pretty cool, but it's the story behind it that is REALLY interesting!
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Review from Jennifer M.
Torrance, CA
10/10/2010 5 photos
'Nude on the Moon' and 'The Wild Women of Wongo' were filmed here. It is a special and lovely place.
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Review from luis s.
Miami, FL
10/8/2008
Our own little mysterious, marvel... Must check out if your into history, and unexplainable creations..
Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida, is one of the most amazing structures ever built. In terms of accomplishment, it's been compared to Stonehenge, ancient Greek temples, and even the great pyramids of Egypt. It is amazing - some even say miraculous - because it was quarried, fashioned, transported, and constructed by one man: Edward Leedskalnin, a 5-ft. tall, 100-lb. Latvian immigrant.
Many men have single-handedly built their own homes, but Leedskalnin's choice of building materials is what makes his undertaking so incredible. He used huge blocks of coral rock, some weighing as much as 30 tons, and somehow was able to move them and set them in place without assistance or the use of modern machinery. And therein lies the mystery. How did he do it?
It's estimated that 1,000 tons of coral rock were used in construction of the walls and towers, and an additional 100 tons of it were carved into furniture and art objects:
* An obelisk he raised weighs 28 tons.
* The wall surrounding Coral Castle stands 8 ft. tall and consists of large blocks each weighing several tons.
* Large stone crescents are perched atop 20-ft.-high walls.
* A 9-ton swinging gate that moves at the touch of a finger guards the eastern wall.
* The largest rock on the property weighs an estimated 35 tons.
* Some stones are twice the weight of the largest blocks in the Great Pyramid at Giza.
funny theories!!!
# One story says that some curious neighbors did see how Leedskalnin moved the stones. They say he placed his hands on the stone to be lifted... and sang. Somehow this levitated the great rocks.
# According to an article in Fate magazine, "some teenagers spying on him one evening claimed they saw him 'float coral blocks through the air like hydrogen balloons,' but no one took them seriously."
# Frank Joseph, in the Fate magazine article, also writes, "Alternative science investigators suggest that Leedskalnin somehow learned the secret of the 'world grid,' an invisible pattern of energy lines surrounding the Earth which concentrates points of telluric power where they intersect. It was here, at one of these intersections of Earth energy, that he was supposedly able to move his prodigious stone blocks using the unseen power of our planet." Yet that still does no explain how Leedskalnin was able to tap this power, and others cannot.
# Coral Castle quotes J. Cathie, a captain flying with National Airways Corp. of New Zealand, as saying: "Measurements from the Coral Castle position to the zero-degree and 90-degree longitude lines, when they passed through the equator, also yielded harmonics related to light and gravity. The final check of the distance between Coral Castle and grid pole A in the north, dispelled any doubt about the site being in an ideal position to allow Leedskalnin to erect the huge blocks of coral with relative ease. Measurements from all major points gave the geometric harmonics necessary for the manipulation of anti-gravity." Cathie also believes that this energy grid is also responsible for many UFO sightings. -
Review from Diana L.
Miami, FL
11/2/2008
Pretty much everyone has written all the info that is needed to know about this place. It is a truly amazaing attraction, and a sad story too, I couldn't help but to feel bad for the guy the entire time I was there.
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Review from Siuwai M.
Tampa, FL
9/20/2010
This is a must see in South Florida. At first glance it didn't seem like much of a castle but once through the gates and getting the tour, it is amazing!!!
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Review from Melissa V.
Hollywood, FL
2/19/2010
We decided to take the drive to Homestead to this interesting place on Valentine's Day. It was a day where traffic came from the festival, and we made a mistake of not taking the 826 (would have avoided that part of US-1 completely! The GPS cannot be trusted sometimes. lol The parking was very full and the security asked us to try parking by the bank a block away, where the other security was watching the other cars -- when we got back, they weren't there anymore. =/)
Anyways, on to the details inside the area. It was a bit packed for this small attraction.. Some people breaking the rules (ex:climbing on top of the rocks, and some kids going crazy around us) kind of killed the mood. Our guide was friendly and up to the point and saved us from reading about what was there in the brochure and hand out. If it wasn't for the other people's nuisance, we would have read the whole thing and and may have not needed to follow the guide (but he seemed really cool anyway). Since I am hard of hearing and my hearings aids made some kind of squealing sounds (because of the metallic substances there?), the brochures were a bit help. The castle had very interesting coral objects and some stories about them. Some signs were broken and it seems like some people didn't care if they broke something in the past. I also enjoyed taking pictures.. It wasn't a hot day, but the weather was just perfect for this. A bit cold, but the sweater I had on made me forget about it.
Let me put it this way, though: what this man, Ed, did to sacrifice his time and energy, deserved our visit to his own made castle with his OWN hands. I give him him props for that.
The gift shop was indeed something.. they didn't just have stuff about coral castle, we saw other things totally not related: bacon or salt-vinegar flavored crickets/some other bugs(?) in a semi clear chips bag?? wtf. lol
I admit that it was a long drive, but I wanted to explore the different side of South Florida for the change before this attraction. I got to see the city of Homestead once again (first time was when I was going to the Key Largo snorkeling trip). -
Review from Liz T.
Stuart, FL
11/12/2007
this was one of those places that i'd hear about and think, "what a tourist trap! how ridiculous! who would even go there?" but, if you're in the area, coral castle is definitely worth a visit. even if it's just an hour. i suggest taking the tour (ugh, i know), but actually there's a ton of stuff you'd never know what it was for (or miss entirely) unless there was someone there to tell you.
my mom loves places like this. so she finally talked me into going last year. it's weird, the guys was an eccentric. and really i have no idea how he did some of the stuff he did. it's all pretty astounding.
maybe my expectations were just soo low, but i actually liked coral castle. -
Review from Patrick B.
Fair Oaks, CA
1/11/2010
As any reader of my posts knows, it is very unusual for me to rate an establishment that is not a restaurant. But I found this place interesting - unfortunately... I was more interested reading about it online as we drove there than when we arrived. It is too pricey for what you get.... My recommendation - wait for the movie.
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Review from josh b.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/4/2010
The history is Nice, but the result.... This is a really small place. Stop by 10 minute if this is on your way to the Everglades, otherwise I honestly don't think it's worth a detour.
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Review from Yvonne R.
Miami, FL
10/13/2008
Anyone know when Coral Castle has a psychic's night? I understand they have some fun stuff like tarot card readings, psychics. I have some friends that want to attend. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!
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Review from Dave C.
Dallas, TX
3/3/2009
Although quite bizarre, I definitely recommend this unique egyptian temple re-imagined in coral. This place has Ripley's Believer or Not written all over it. The entire castle was built by one man who hauled heavy huge pieces of coral for miles with 1930's style tractors. Apparently no one knows how he was able to a) carve the coral almost flawlessly so it looks like it grew into this shape b) as a 5 foot, 110 lb. man, managed to put up giant coral walls and towers that weigh several tons, or c) found the perfect balance point for a 7 ton piece of coral to use as a gate to the castle (this huge rock can still be pushed open by a single person). Very unique and imaginative, and the man who built and lived in it has a unique story to be told.
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Review from rebecca s.
Philadelphia, PA
8/6/2010
I'm not going to lie, this place is a little weird. A story of love lost and a man's undying devotion to woo back the love of his life are the driving forces behind a man who magically created this "coral abode". Kind of like Stonehenge, this one wee-man managed to move over 100 tons of rock all on his own....what?? The story was that the woman that he was in love with was many years younger than him and shortly before marrying each other, she realized just how odd he really was and decided that she wanted out of the relationship. Good call on her part when you see the little baby beds that he made of coral as part of his ploy to get her to come back...creeeeepy. My cousin brought me here as something different to do, and it was definitely "different"...we did however sit where Billy Idol shot the music video for "Sweet 16", the only quasi-normal experience here....oh yeah, that and the stop at Popeyes on the way back home, God I love their biscuits.
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Review from natassia s.
Daly City, CA
11/13/2008
omg! do not even bother with coming here. this place is NOT worth the visit, i wouldnt even come back if it was free, let alone $10!! worst $10 i have ever spent!!!!!!!!!
Listed in: miami beach / key west
