The United States cannot claim ancient castles from the Middle Ages or from medieval times, as the country was colonized only by European civilizations in the 1600s. However, many of the castles were built by English, French, and Scott immigrants after the country became a colony. The United States is, surprisingly, home to many lovely old palaces, castles, and chateau. We have curated 10 of the most enchanting castles in the USA for you. To roam the most beautiful palace in America, you need to call the Southwest Airlines Reservations team and book your flight ticket.
Lyndhurst Mansion, New York
Built-in 1838 by acclaimed architect Alexander Jackson Davis, the Lyndhurst mansion is one of the finest Gothic Revival mansions in America. The palace is located on the banks of the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York. Many constructions, such as New York City Mayor William Paulding and rail tycoon Jay Gould, have remained here since.
Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga, California
The Tuscan castle of the 13th century took 14 years to be built. There is a very authentic drawbridge, trench and dungeon, believe it or not, still a working Renaissance-era iron maiden. The Chamber of Knights and the Great Hall have hand-painted frescoes, constructed from 8,000 tons of hand-capped Napa Valley stone. Castello di Amorosa is one of the top USA attractions, one of the top palaces.
Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Fonthill Castle was built in 1912 by Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist, anthropologist, scholar, archivist, and ceramist. The palace has 32 staircases, 21 chimneys, 18 fireplaces, 44 rooms, all made of hand-mixed reinforced concrete in Gothic, Byzantine, and Medieval styles.
Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island, New York
Bannerman Castle sits on Polypill, a rocky island on the Hudson River. It was built in 1901 by a Scottish immigrant named Frank Bannerman. At the age of 14, Bannerman began prosperity by selling surplus military goods. The family decided to build a palace on the island to use as an armory. By 1918, when Bannerman died, construction was halted. After two years, the palace was partially destroyed when 200 pounds of shells and powder burst. In 1989, the palace in ruins caught fire. You can visit this palace when the river is boat friendly.
Hammond Castle, Gloucester, Massachusetts
John Hess Hammond, Jr., the American inventor, had a large collection of art – Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance. He built this palace on the banks of the Atlantic in 1929 as his residence and art museum. The palace combines the structural sensitivity of the 15th to 18th-century palace style. The magnificent hall is surrounded by wide rose windows; There are secret passages, plus an indoor courtyard, a pipe organ, and a spacious library.
Hearst Castle, California
The Hart’s Castle Estate was built between 1919 and 1947 by William Randolph Hearst. Nicknamed as Esta la Cuesta Encantada ‘or hill enchanted by Hartest, the castle contains four buildings. These buildings have 127 acres of beautiful terraced gardens and 165 rooms. The main building has an arched Spanish terrace in Gothic studies dating back to the early 1400s. There is also a grand guesthouse named Casa del Mar which boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate is built in the captivating Blue Ridge Mountains outside Asheville, North Carolina. George Vanderbilt was mesmerized by the beauty of the area and got architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a French Renaissance tableau with a 70-foot-roofed banquet hall, bowling alley, and 250 rooms. The construction of the Biltmore Estate took six years. Renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed beautiful grounds including the magnificent 15-acre Azalea Gardens. The property today produces award-winning wines; Tours are available.
The Breakers, Rhode Island
The breakers are designed by George Vanderbilt and executed by architect Richard Morris Hunt. It is one of the most enchanting 19th-century summer homes. The 70-room mansion, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, has a grand dining room with gold cornice and several freestanding columns. Beautiful relief sculptures created by Parisian interior design firm Jules Allard & Sons add beauty to the walls.
Bishop’s Palace, Texas
Bishop’s Palace was built in the late 19th century as a residence for entrepreneur Colonel Walter Gresham. It is one of the most important structures in America. It was designed by well-known architect Nicholas Clayton, who built a luxuriously fortified mansion using steel and stone. The interior features stained glass windows, dramatic mahogany staircases, and wood carvings. The mansion also ended the Great Storm of 1900, which destroyed a large part of Galveston.
Iolani Palace, Hawaii
Iolani Palace is the official residence of the royal family of Hawaii in the city of Hawaii. It was built in 1882 by King Kalakaua to enhance Hawaii’s reputation as a modern nation abroad. In 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown and it was then that the Ilani Palace served as the nation’s capitol building. The palace draws design inspiration from European palaces and is the only example of a mixture of Italian Renaissance and native Hawaiian architectural styles from the Americas, known as ‘American Florentine’. The palace is the only royal palace in America, a museum since 1978; It is so beautiful, it is worth your American visitor visa!
The conclusion
As you can see, the USA has its share of magnificent palaces built in various styles. Many of them have been built by entrepreneurs and illustrious architects, which emulate the styles of medieval, Byzantine, Italian Renaissance, and French chateau ordinances. Most of these palaces are either museums or handled as official national buildings. You can enjoy exploring those that are open for viewing, except for American holidays; Watch their viewing schedule online before planning a trip.
