Saturday, October 4, 2008

Hearst Castle

”…Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in tents at the ranch in San Simeon, I would like to build a little something…”

So William Heast, newspaper mega millionaire wanted a holiday home (yes, this is just a holiday home) built on his family land in California, inspired by the Castles of Europe that he toured with his mother when he was a boy.

This the one of the first views that we have of the property as we step off the bus. I thought this was the castle... no... this is just a guest house!

The first of two main pools at the castle, this is the Greco-Roman style Neptune Pool

Lots of marble and statues in the beautiful gardens. There is a whole other tour dedicated to the gardens of the property.



On the 'Enchanted Hill' we were surrounded by a fog.

Four Egyptian sculptures of the lion-faced goddess Sekhmet, more than 3500 years old.

Casa Grande—The main house. The tour includes 5 main rooms. I'd love to go back and see other rooms which are part of other tours.


Assembly Room, the largest of 14 sitting rooms, once the gathering place for Mr. Hearst’s guests.


Refectory, the only dining room on The Enchanted Hill. And yes, that is Mustard and Ketchup on the table with paper napkins. This, after all, is just his 'holiday house' where it was 'casual dining'.

Morning Room, an east-facing sitting room filled with Spanish antiques and Flemish tapestries.

Billiard Room, a game room featuring two 1920s-era billiard tables and a Gothic “mille fleurs” tapestry.

The indoor Roman Pool with blue Venetian glass and gold tiles. Yes - actual gold.

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