▲Contrary to popular belief, Europe is not the only place to find impressive castles. From 1923 to 1951, one man single-handedly constructed a magnificent castle out of 1,100 tons of coral rock as a testament to true love. The Coral Castle in southern Florida remains an architectural anomaly that continues to baffle designers and scientists around the world. Click through to dive into the enchanting story of one America's captivating structures.

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The brain and brawn behind this astounding work of art, Edward Leedskalnin, was born on August 10, 1887, in Riga, Latvia.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲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."

▲Tragically, just one day before the ceremony, Agnes called off the wedding and Ed was left utterly devastated. He decided to flee to America.

▲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.

▲With no machinery or outside assistance involved, Leedskalnin built a massive castle out of over 1,100 coral rocks as a declaration of love to his former fiancée.

▲Leedskalnin's work was only that much more impressive given the fact that he was only five feet tall (1.52 m) and weighed a mere 100 lbs (45 kg).

▲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 it using nothing but hand tools.

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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: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲Leedskalnin lived in various parts of North America. He eventually moved to Florida City in 1918 after contracting tuberculosis. He would continue to live there for another 18 years.

▲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.

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Leedskalnin spent the next three years transporting the massive coral structures on the frame of an old truck to his property located 16 km (10 miles) away.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲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 five kilometers (three miles) into town and back.

▲Due to his limited transportation, a friend would use his tractor to help move the colossal carvings to Homestead.

▲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.

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

▲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.

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By 1940, the carvings were finally in place and Leedskalnin finished assembling the castle walls, which weighed roughly 125 lbs (57 kg) per cubic foot. Every section of the wall is four feet wide, eight feet tall (1.2 x 2.4 m), and weighs more than 5.8 tons.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲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.”

▲Despite having only a fourth-grade education, Leedskalnin even constructed an air conditioning current generator for the castle. The remains of the impressive contraption are still on display to this day.

▲Due to a lack of witnesses during the structure’s construction, scientists and engineers still can't figure out how Leedskalnin managed to carry out this incredible project.

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

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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: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲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.

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

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While the property transaction was underway, a note was found, which would ultimately lead to the discovery of 35 US$100 bills—Leedskalnin’s life savings.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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During his life, Leedskalnin made a modest living giving tours around the property for US$0.10 and selling his pamphlets.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

▲This magnificent testimony to love was built by just one man. The Taj Mahal, a comparable testimony to lost love, took 20 years and thousands of slaves to complete.

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This sign carved in stone was Leedskalnin'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: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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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.

Discover the world's most impressive castles built by just one person.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

The fascinating tale behind America's most mysterious castle

A heartbreaking story of unrequited love

12/05/19 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Curiosity

Contrary to popular belief, Europe is not the only place to find impressive castles. From 1923 to 1951, one man single-handedly constructed a magnificent castle out of 1,100 tons of coral rock as a testament to true love. The Coral Castle in southern Florida remains an architectural anomaly that continues to baffle designers and scientists around the world. Click through to dive into the enchanting story of one America's captivating structures.