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If you think about amazing castles, your mind may automatically jump to Europe and you’d be right! Luckily though, Europe is not the only place that has these amazing pieces of history, and even in the much younger United States, we have our fair share of castles that are well worth the visit. So, let’s plan our next road trip!!
From Italian inspired architecture to massive estates, stay tuned to number one to find out WHICH castle was moved all the way from across the pond!
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Transcript provided by YouTube:
If you think about amazing castles, your mind may automatically jump to Europe and you’d
be right!
Luckily though, Europe is not the only place that has these amazing pieces of history,
and even in the much younger United States, we have our fair share of castles that are
well worth the visit.
So, let’s plan our next road trip!!
From Italian inspired architecture to massive estates, stay tuned to number one to find
out WHICH castle was moved all the way from across the pond!
Number 10: Castello Di Amorosa.
If you want the feel of an Italian wine farm in the beauty of the California landscape,
then Castello Di Amorosa is just the place for you.
Italian style architecture and fine Italian wines are all found just a few minutes outside
the town of Calistoga, in the Napa Valley.
Unlike most castles you may hear about, or could be lucky enough to come across in your
lifetime, this castle’s construction began only in 1994 and was the vision of 4th generation
Italian winemaker and entrepreneur Dario Sattui, who spent much of his life discovering medieval
castles and wineries throughout Europe.
He fell in love with 13th century Italian Tuscan style architecture, and took 14 years
to complete the construction for its first opening in 2007.
Today, it continues the tradition it started in 2007 and is primarily a wine farm specializing
in Italian wines, and often hosts parties and weddings alike on its premises.
Interestingly, despite its use as a wine farm, this modern example of a castle comes complete
with a drawbridge and a dungeon, as well as a torture chamber to further enhance the feeling
that you are actually in a decades old castle.
There is no mention on whether the dungeon or torture chambers are used on people who
drink too much of their wine, though, so we suggest you proceed at your own risk!
Number 9: Boldt Castle.
Situated along the St Lawrence River, near New York City, the Boldt Castle lies among
the spectacular “1,000 islands,” and construction of this property started back in the year
1900 by millionaire George Boldt.
He wanted to build the castle as a tribute to his wife, and stated that it would rival
any European castle of the time, but, unfortunately Boldt’s wife fell ill and passed away just
months before completion.
Devastated, Boldt halted all construction and never visited the island again, leaving
the incomplete castle behind as a monument to his wife.
From there, the castle would stand empty for 73 years, but, in 1977, the Thousand Islands
Bridge Authority decided to begin its restoration and, at last, the castle was built up to what
it was meant to be.
Today it is a popular tourist attraction and weddings are even regularly held on the island.
This castle is a great example of the power of restoration and, even though it was only
opened in the early 1980’s, it’s a great example of 20th century architecture combined with
rustic beauty.
Number 8: Coral Castle.
Located just outside of Miami in Florida, the coral castle is very special for 2 reasons.
First is that it is not strictly a “castle” at all!
And, Second, because the entire project was done by just one man.
As we mentioned already, the Coral Castle is not really a castle but rather a collection
of stones gathered in different shapes.
Some of them do indeed resemble the shape of a house, complete with stone tables and
chairs, while some of the others are just small piles of rocks that loosely resemble
Stonehenge.
Also as we mentioned already, the entire place was built by just one man, a Mr. Edward Leedskalnin
back in 1923.
Interestingly, though, a lot of the construction here is shrouded in mystery due to Edward
building it all by himself using nothing but ropes, pulleys, picks and winches to move
some very large stones!
In all, the construction of Coral Castle took 28 years for him to complete.
Despite the name “Coral,” the castle was constructed entirely from limestone and, for decades,
it had a perfectly balanced stone gate that was so easy to open that even a child could
open the door with a slight push.
Today, though, the formerly perfectly balanced door’s hinge has finally rusted away.
While it is still a great tourist attraction and people often stop by to admire the marvel
that is the Coral Castle, the door takes a bit more effort to open.
Number 7: Bannerman Castle.
Located just 60 miles up the Hudson River from New York, there is a castle which today
is only a shell of its former glory.
Known as the Bannerman Castle, construction started in the early 1900’s, when it was one
of the most spectacular sights of the time.
Built by munitions merchant Francis Bannerman, in an attempt to replicate the medieval fortress
which he was born in, the castle was a success and served as his residence for many years
until Bannerman died in 1918.
But after the owner’s death, the castle began to deteriorate.
And, to make things worse, a fire broke out in 1969, destroying most of the building in
the process.
Today, what remains of the castle still stands, and often holds various events on the island
throughout the year.
One thing is for certain, though, despite the fire and the castle being left to the
elements for so many years, it is still one of the most beautiful buildings in the US
and is a true example of European style architecture in America.
Number 6: Biltmore Estate.
As far as truly beautiful architecture goes, the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina is quite
high on that list.
Construction of the estate started in 1889 by George Vanderbilt and, after 6 years of
building, the doors opened for the first time in 1895 despite the fact that the building
was still under construction.
During the time the estate was being built, Vanderbilt and his architect Richard Morris
Hunt spent years travelling through Europe, purchasing all kinds of valuables to put in
the castle.
This varied from paintings, right up to carpets and furniture.
Architecturally speaking, they were also largely inspired by their travels through Europe and
they used many of the sights they saw in the design of the castle, creating, in the end,
an awe inspiring French Renaissance Chateau.
Today, the castle is still under full operation and now even includes award winning wines
and tours of the vineyards, it also has its own bowling alley and its world renowned 70
foot ceiling banquet hall.
It doesn’t matter if you are inside or outside of this building, the sights and the beauty
of this castle is an amazing thing to behold.
Number 5: Fonthill Castle.
This castle, found in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, definitely has the look of your traditional
“Count Dracula” style castle.
Unfortunately, though (or fortunately, depending in your tastes), this castle has a rather
more down to earth story.
Built between 1908 and 1912, the Fonthill castle was the creation of Henry Chapman Mercer,
an archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, scholar as well as antiquarian who clearly
couldn’t just decide on one field to follow.
Originally built as his private home and showplace for his collection of tiles and prints, he
used this home as a base of operations during his lifetime.
After he passed away, however, he wished for his massive multi-million dollar castle to
be turned into a museum, with the caveat of allowing his own housekeeper to have living
rights inside the castle, where she lived out the remainder of her days, until 1975.
Today, the castle still servs as a museum to both the life of Mercer, as well as his
collections of tiles, prints, and pottery, while still maintaining a strict preservation
policy, wherein the castle be kept as much like its original state as possible.
Despite this castle being an actual museum of ancient tiles, it still attracts over 30,000
visitors a year!
Number 4: Thornewood Castle.
The story of this castle is an interesting one because, while it has only been in the
US for around a hundred years, its origins actually began more than 500 years ago!
Chester Thorne is the brain behind this castle with 2 ages.
While in England in 1907 he bought a 400-year-old manor before deciding that, although he liked
it, it would look better in the US.
So good ole Chester decided it was a good idea to have the entire building dismantled
and then shipped, brick by brick, over to Washington state in the US!
He then hired famed architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter to painstakingly reassemble the manor.
The construction of the complete castle took 3 years to complete, after which Thorne presented
the Elizabethan themed castle to his wife as a display of his love.
These days the castle is an inn and its gothic, rustic charm attracts thousands of guests
a year.
In addition to lavish rooms and it’s antique interior, the estate has a private dock and
lakeside beach as well as the “sunken garden.”
A beautiful landscape designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers.
As far as rustic charm and beautiful countryside scenery goes, this castle is definitely something
you need to experience in your lifetime.
Number 3: The Smithsonian Castle.
Located in on the opposite coast, this Castle is the first of the Smithsonian buildings
that were built throughout the US.
Completed in 1855, and made out of what is now the iconic red sandstone, the building
is today one of the most recognized in Washington D.C.
In fact, we are lucky to have the Smithsonian buildings today, and it is all thanks to one
man that we have them.
The project was started thanks to a donation from Frenchman James Smithson who, despite
donating the money for the construction of the building, had never set foot on American
soil.
Originally the building was the home of Joseph Henry and his family.
Joseph being the first secretary of the castle and, today, a statue of him stands outside
the building.
Although it started out as just the one building, more government buildings as well as museums
were built around it over the years, molding it into the spectacle that we know today;
and as tribute to James Smithson, his crypt can now be found near the north entrance of
the building.
Have you ever visited any of the Smithsonian buildings?
Let us know below.
While you’re there, remember to subscribe to our channel for and hit that like button!
Number 2: Castle Gould.
Situated a few minutes from New York City, the land on which Castle Gould stands was
first bought back in 1900 by Howard Gould, husband of the then famous actress Katherine
Clemmons.
After buying the land, Gould began construction on the castle, modeling it after the Kilkenny
Castle in Ireland.
The castle was supposed to be the main residence on the property, and was completed by 1904,
however Katherine Clemmons rejected the castle, and thought that it simply didn’t suit her
well enough…so Gould then built the Hempstead house for them, instead, and the huge castle
was used as a stable and servants quarters for many years after.
Seriously!!
Today, although the castle is not open for public tours, there is a visitor’s center
and great hall located under the castles clock tower where functions are often held including
fitness classes and cultural events.
Something else you will find here is a 7,000 square foot sound stage which will ensure
that your eardrums will get a workout even if you aren’t there for the fitness classes.
Number 1: Cliff Palace.
For number one, we decided to include the natural beauty and native roots of the U.S.
Mesa Verde National Park in Southern Colorado is quite different from most national parks
you might visit.
Sure, it’s home to rare species of wildlife…but these are not typically the reason people
visit this park.
Situated on the wall of Cliff Canyon, you will find a small village that has seemingly
been carved into the cliff face several hundred years ago!
First discovered in 1888 by 2 cowboys searching for stray cattle, the cliff palace is believed
to have been built in the 1200’s, and consists of around 150 rooms.
Built by the Ancestral Puebloans, it’s made out of sandstone and wood, and is the largest
cliff dwelling in North America.
Archaeologists say it would have house around 100 people, and that it formed part of other
smaller dwellings also found in the area, they concluded that the palace was probably
abandoned due to overcrowding, and was ultimately forgotten about for approximately 300 years
before its rediscovery.
Today, you can take a guided tour through the palace and you can get a glimpse of life
from a few centuries ago, including the tower square, which is a tall building, approximately
the same height as the roof of the cave and consists of 4 separate floors.
Although the tower had to be restored, the palace and surrounding dwellings give visitors
an epic experience.
Let us know which of these you would want to visit in the comments below and thanks
for watching!
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This post was previously published on YouTube.
