This romantic and mysterious modern monument is situated in Miami Florida, and is said to have been carved from home-made tools by American-Latvian Edward Leedskalnin (1887-1951). Leedskalnin was an eccentric who, according to legend, moved the stones with supernatural abilities, harnessing the secret magnetic powers of the Earth (he even claimed that magnetism cured him of Tuberculosis). After constructing the ‘castle’ Leedskalnin gave guided tours around the site, saying that he built the castle for his ‘Sweet Sixteen’, a lost love who jilted him one day before the wedding. He then left for America, where he spent 28 years constructing the castle.

The ‘castle’ itself is more of a collection of stone ‘sculptures’ and include a castle tower (where Leedskalnin resided), planets, an obelisk, crescent moons, rocking chairs, and tables, all made out of limestone formed by coral. If it was in the UK, the site would be referred to as a ‘folly’, and possibly as a fine example of ‘outsider art’, but it can also be seen as an example of eccentric American architecture, with legends attached that conjure up ideas of a mystical movement of the stones and ancient secret knowledge of leverage. On some speculative websites, Leedskalnin is even referred to as being a Freemason. Whatever Leedskalnin’s methods were, his mysterious and beautiful monument is a testament to his dedication and beliefs.