These castles in Arizona are not only spectacular, but they also have some pretty interesting stories. Check out these magnificent structures that may have been hiding right under your nose this whole time. How many have you heard of before?
1. Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
Also known as The Wedding Cake, this landmark has been part of a resort, a private residence, and is now part of the parks system. The garden has over 5,000 cacti, and as of 2012, visitors can tour the grounds and some of the interior.
Website: Tovero Castle at Carraro Heights
2. Montezuma Castle National Monument
These Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings near Camp Verde, AZ, has five stories and took three centuries to build.
Website: Montezuma Castle National Monument
3. Mystery Castle
When Boyce Luther Gulley of Seattle found out he had tuberculosis in the late '20s, he moved to the desert and away from his family. There he spent his remaining years building a unique castle out of found and inexpensive materials for his daughter. He wanted to make a castle that the waves couldn't wash away. His wife and daughter, Mary Lou, didn't find out about the castle until 1945, when they inherited it upon his death. It's located in Phoenix, and tours run from October to May.
Website: Mystery Castle
4. Camelback Castle
A.k.a. the Copenhaver Castle, this lavish castle was built in the '60s and 70's by a Phoenix orthodontist with stone sourced from the mountain itself. There are now plans to renovate and reopen it to the public.
Website: Camelback Castle
5. The Ashley Castle
This wedding venue in Chandler, AZ, is designed to make the couple feel like a king and queen on their special day. You can book it for your special day by visiting their website.
Website: The Ashley Castle
6. El Cid Castle
El Cid Castle was built from 1963 to 1980 in Sunnyslope by Dr. Kenneth E. Hall as a huge bowling alley and recreation center. Unfortunately, it was discovered El Cid was built with money from Medicare fraud, and the doctor had to sell it to settle a malpractice suit. The castle was mostly demolished but some of the original walls still exist, incorporated into the office building that has taken its place in recent years.
7. Sibley Castle
Sibley Castle is what many call the ruins of a mansion built by a mine manager in the ghost town of Copper Creek. Tours are offered by Expeditions West for visitors worried about the rough road to the site.
Website: Sibley Castle
8. Mollohan Castle
Mollohan Castle is a very quirky private residence built in the 1980s in Tucson, AZ.
Website: Mollohan Castle
Have you visited any of these castles? Please share your experiences or any other Arizona castle sightings with us by nominating the ones we missed!
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