1
When people think of fairytale castles, they tend to think of Europe. Nevertheless, the US has chateaus, mansions, and even a palace or two of its own. Thus, without further ado, we present the most beautiful castles in the USA.
Beautiful Castles in the US
1. Hearst Castle, California
Situated on a hill overlooking San Simeon, construction on Hearst Castle began in 1919 and ended in 1947. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan for newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. The 127-acre property includes four separate buildings and terraced gardens. The guesthouse offers visitors panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
The main building of Hearst Castle includes a gothic study that is highlighted by a noteworthy vaulted Spanish ceiling that goes back to the 1400s.
2 The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, this place required six years to build. It began in 1889 after George Vanderbilt fell in love with the area while visiting. He hired architect Richard Morris Hunt to design this 250-room French Renaissance chateau which includes a bowling alley and a banquet hall. He also hired landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to handle the grounds. It features a 15-acre Azalea Garden and its own vineyard and winery.
3Boldt Castle, New York
This is a Rhineland-influenced castle nestled on a small island in the Thousand Islands region. George C. Boldt, a hotel magnate, began building the place in 1900. He halted construction when his wife passed away just months prior to the castle’s completion. 70+ years later, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took ownership of the property and made it what it is today. It features the famous 120-room castle (with drawbridge), and the attractive Alster Tower
4The Breakers, Rhode Island
The Breakers is nestled in Newport. It was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and built in 1895 for the Vanderbilt family. At the time, the coastal town was a playground for the rich and famous.
The building’s ornate design was actually inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces from the 1500s. The 70-room manse is highlighted by a great grand dining room, complete with gilded cornice and freestanding columns. You can visit this mansion all year round.
5Bishop’s Palace, Texas
Again. I do a lot of “bracketing” since i’m a novice Fotog!
You will find beautiful Bishop’s Place, a.k.a. Gresham’s House, in the East End Historic District in Galveston. It was constructed in the late 1800s for lawyer and businessman Colonel Walter Gresham. Architectural historians say it’s one of the country’s “most significant structures.” It was designed by local architect Nicholas Clayton.
This chateau-like manse was made of stone and steel. Its interior features include decorative wood carvings, stained glass windows, and a magnificent mahogany stairwell.
6Bannerman Castle, New York
This castle is roughly 60 miles up the well-known Hudson River from the Big Apple. It was built by Scottish-American munitions merchant Francis Bannerman in the early 1900s. It was designed to be an arsenal and to look like an olden medieval Scottish fortress.
When Bannerman died in 1918, the place began to fall apart. In 1969 much of it was destroyed by a ferocious fire. It is now managed by the Bannerman Castle Trust.
7Castello di Amorosa, California
Castello di Amorosa is in Napa Valley. It has the appearance of a Tuscany castle from the 1200s, but it was not officially opened until 2007. It took 14 years to build and was designed by the owner, fourth-generation winemaker Dario Sattui. Today this 107-room building is a winery where they produce award-winning wines. It features a dungeon, a drawbridge, a torture chamber, and a great hall complete with replica Italian frescoes.
8Fonthill Castle, Pennsylvania
Once the residence of archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer, the famous Fonthill Castle was built between 1908 and 1912. Located in Doylestown, this home was meant to showcase Mercer’s collection of prints and tiles. Designed by Mercer, this castle is actually an eclectic assortment of architectural styles including Byzantine, gothic, and medieval. It includes 18 fireplaces, 44 rooms, and over 200 windows. Today it’s a museum. You’ll also find the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works on the grounds too.
9Iolani Palace, Hawaii
The Iolani Palace, the residence of the last Hawaiian royalty, was constructed by King Kalakaua in Honolulu in 1882. It was reportedly meant to increase the “Kingdom of Hawaii’s prestige” as a contemporary country overseas. It is the sole royal home in the entire USA.
The monarchy’s reign ended in 1893. Iolani Palace went on to become the official capitol building. In 1978 it became a museum. The palace remains the only example of American Florentine architecture.
10The Lyndhurst Mansion, New York
Nestled along the Hudson River in Tarrytown, was designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis. He built this gothic revival manse in 1838. Experts note it’s one of America’s “finest castles” and has been the home of a few celebrities including railroad tycoon Jay Gould and former New York City mayor William Paulding. Be sure to see the art gallery which features such significant work as famous French artist William Bouguereau’s 1866 artwork First Caresses.
