One of Florida's oldest operating attractions, Coral Castle is a monument to unrequited love. In 1923 an eccentric Latvian immigrant, Edward Leedskalnin, began hauling tons of coral onto his property. He carved it into a house and all the furniture he needed. For seven years he worked alone building this tribute to 'Sweet Sixteen,' a young girl who jilted him back in the old country.
Using primitive homemade tools, Leedskalnin carved massive objects including a heart-shaped table recorded in Ripley's Believe it or Not as the 'World's Biggest Valentine.' Other huge pieces in the property's courtyard include a Florida-shaped table, a throne that rocks, a sundial that tells time, a bird bath table, a fountain, and enormous coral chairs.
Inside the house, visitors can view Leedskalnin's bathtub, bed, reclining chair, and other creature comforts he knocked out of coral blocks. According to the tour brochure, his most outstanding achievement is the 9-ton coral gate. The brochure says it can be moved with one finger. The biggest curiosity is how the spurned lover was able to move these several ton objects without using modern hauling equipment. Leedskalnin said he knew the secrets used to build the ancient pyramids. He must have had some special power to create this monument himself.
A 30-minute audio tape for self-guided tours gives details about the strange dwelling. Coral Castle is located in Homestead, the center of south Florida's fruit and nursery production and gateway to Everglades National Park.
The
ever-expanding hub of the southeastern United States, Atlanta has grown from
an historic southern city into a huge modern metropolis comprised of
prestigious boroughs, corporate and theater districts, modern attractions
and more. Few American cities can match the unique blend of past and present
of Atlanta ....more
Waldorf Astoria Staff Room Hotel is on par to the 202 hotels in the city. In
New York, Park/50th Waldorf Astoria - Staff Room can be found at 301 Park
Ave. Waldorf Astoria - Staff Room New York City contains Hot Tub/Whirlpool,
Fitness Facility, and Hotel Parking - $45.00. Room options include:
Comfortable.... more
