The fascinating tale behind America's most mysterious castle - The United States is home to a fair share of impressive castles. One castle in particular was built single-handedly by a man in southern Florida. He constructed this magnificent castle out of 1,100 tons of coral rock as a testament to true love. The Coral Castle remains an architectural anomaly that continues to baffle architects and scientists around the world with its beauty and design.

Discover the enchanting story behind one of America's captivating structures in the following images.

© Shutterstock

The man behind the masterpiece - The brain and brawns behind this astounding work of art, Edward Leedskalnin, was born on August 10, 1887 in Riga, Latvia.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Young love - At the age of 26, Leedskalnin was engaged to marry the love of his life Agnes Scuffs. Because Scuffs was 10 years younger than him, Ed affectionately referred to her as "Sweet Sixteen."

© Shutterstock

Love and loss - Tragically just one day before the ceremony, Agnus called off the wedding and Ed was left utterly devastated. He decided to flee to America.

© Shutterstock

The game plan - In an effort to mourn this tragic loss, Leedskalnin set out on a mission to create a monument that would forever honor his one true love.

© Shutterstock

An astounding accomplishment - With no machinery or outside assistance involved, Leedskalnin built a massive castle out of over 1,100 pounds of coral rock as a declaration of love to his former fiancée.

© Shutterstock

Power in a small package - Leedskalnin's work was only that much more impressive given the fact that he was only five ft tall and weighed a mere 100 lbs.

© iStock

The journey - The coral located near the castle can measure up to 4,000 ft thick, yet somehow he managed to cut and transport massive slabs of coral using nothing but hand tools.

© Shutterstock

Background in building - Leedskalnin reportedly acquired the knowledge and skills to take on this massive feat after working for lumber camps in Latvia. He also came from a family of stonemasons.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Life in the USA - Leedskalnin lived in various parts of North America. He eventually moved to Florida City, FL in 1918 after contracting tuberculosis. He would continue to live there for another 18 years.

© Shutterstock

New horizons - Leedskalnin began building the structure in Florida City, but after getting word of a planned subdivision in the neighborhood in 1936, he bought 10 acres of land and moved the entire operation to the nearby town of Homestead.

© Shutterstock

The big move - Leedskalnin spent the next three years transporting the massive coral structures on the frame of an old truck to his property located 10 miles away.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Simplicity is key - The architectural mastermind lived a simple life and did not own a car. When he needed to buy food or supplies for his hefty project, Leedskalnin would bike over three miles into town and back.

© Shutterstock

The power of friendship - Due to his limited transportation, a friend would use his tractor to help move the colossal carvings to Homestead.

© Shutterstock

An air of mystery - While people did see the coral pieces coming down the Dixie Highway, Leedskalnin was never actually spotted unloading the trailer, and that’s exactly how he wanted it.

© Shutterstock

Under wraps - Leedskalnin was keen on privacy and went to great lengths to ensure this tribute to his lost love was kept a secret.

© Shutterstock

The top-secret project - He did most of the construction during the night with nothing but a small lantern to light his way. He also built numerous lookouts to spot intruders and nosy neighbors.

© Shutterstock

Colossal castle - By 1940, the carvings were finally in place and Leedskalnin finished assembling the castle walls, which weighed roughly 125 lbs per cubic foot. Every section of the wall is four ft wide, eight ft tall, and weighs more than 5.8 tons.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Ancient secrets - After achieving the unthinkable, Leedskalnin was often asked how he managed to move the blocks of coral by himself. He would then respond simply that he understood “the secret of the pyramids.”

© Shutterstock

Brilliance beyond traditional education - Despite having only a 4th grade education, Leedskalnin even constructed an AC current generator for the castle. The remains of the impressive contraption are still on display to this day.

© Shutterstock

The castle conundrum - Due to a lack of witnesses during the structure’s construction, it still remains a mystery to scientists and engineers how Leedskalnin managed to carry out this incredible project.

© Shutterstock

The great American pyramids - The secrets behind Leedskalnin’s construction methods have regularly been compared to Egypt’s great pyramids and the prehistoric Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire, England.

© Shutterstock

The thoughts of a genius - The only written records left of Leedskalnin are five pamphlets entitled ‘A Book in Every Home,’ which detail his thoughts on three core subjects: his love “Sweet Sixteen” and his domestic and political views.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

The loss of a great mind - Leedskalnin fell ill in December of 1951 and left a note on the castle door reading, “going to the hospital,” before hopping on a bus to Miami. Three days later, he died in his sleep at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the age of 64.

© Shutterstock

The benefactor - After his death, Leedskalnin’s nephew in Michigan inherited the castle. In 1953, the nephew sold the Coral Castle to a family from Illinois.

© Shutterstock

Hidden treasure - While the property transaction was underway, a note was found, which would ultimately lead to the discovery of thirty-five 100-dollar bills—Leedskalnin’s life savings.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

The simple life - During his life, Leedskalnin made a modest living giving tours around the property for 10 cents and selling his pamphlets.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Making history - This magnificent testimony to true love was made by only one man. The only other comparable structure in size, the Taj Mahal, took 20 years and thousands of slaves to complete.

© Shutterstock

A warm welcome - This sign carved in stone was Ed’s original greeting at the entrance of the Coral Castle. After more than 60 years, the sign still invites visitors to marvel at Leedskalnin’s crowning achievement.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

Eternally etched in stone - Long after his death, Leedskalnin’s legacy lives on with the Coral Castle, as does the tale of his undying love. His life’s work continues to astonish visitors to this day.
(Photo: CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons