Our office was closed for July 24th, PIONEER DAY, so we went to the Beach and Hearst Castle.
“La Cuesta Encantada” - the Enchanted Hill
We got to the coast in about 2 ½ hours, took a deep breath at the beauty of the ocean, passed our motel, and finally went on to Hearst CASTLE where we had bought tickets for two of the three tours. When we arrived at their visitors center we decided to add the third tour and just see it all. The pictures will say more than a page of words. Today there was NO fog (which usually rolls in) and the view from the top of the mountain (castle is on the top of the highest one there) is beyond expression... the sea on one direction, mountains and cattle ranches on three sides.
Hearst started the “ranch at San Simeon” (he called it that) , a year after his mother died, in 1919, hiring Julia Morgan from San Francisco as the architect. He was about 57 years old... Building stopped in 1947, when he became ill, but still expected to return to finish it. Hearst was 88 when he died.It is done in a Mediterranean Revival design, utilizing the many treasures his family had already collected around the world, and which he was avidly finding and buying throughout his life.
The site includes 3 cottages and the castle which has 115 rooms, 38 bedrooms (each with their own bathroom), family room and Hearst's personal library, movie theater, huge kitchen and staff living quarters, etc. - every one filled with European and some Egyptian treasures 100-3,000 years old. Each room was garnished with gold, on the ceilings- most everything. Most of the pictures/relics/statues/choir benches/chests etc., came from Catholic churches and thus they had a religious theme, and unfortunately were not signed. William Hearst proclaimed himself a Christian, but of no particular faith. … Outside there were an indoor and outdoor pool (3 originally), tennis courts, walkways all around the top of the mountain and riding trails. There was a covered arbor(flowers/vines/etc.) that extended for what may have been a few miles. There was also a zoo that at one time included polar bears, kangaroo, zebra, and various other animals. The latter two roamed the ranges and zebra can still be seen in small herds on the grounds, (We saw them ourselves.) Ice was brought out for the polar bears comfort. His caring for these animals in pleasant homes rather than cages, was copied by many zoos.
To the top of the Mountain!
Butterfly on the foliage
Entrance to the castle
The "Cottages" for guests. These are a few pictures of the insides No kitchens as the guests were 'required' to eat in the castle dining room - to socialize.
Below is the Hearst Castle... Note the ceilings in all the pictures. Most are taken directly out of ceilings from Europe. Two in the cottages were duplications of originals.
Movie Theater.. for 1st time showing of films. When it was chilly, the guests were given mink blankets to cover up with.
Kitchen waming table to keep food warm. This kitchen reminded me a lot of the Downton Abbey kitchen.
Ceilings... Most were taken from ceilings of buildings in Europe- in fact- only two were duplicated to be like the original.
The main estate. Hearst owned the land as far as he could see in all directions of the castle.
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ReplyDeleteOnly five pictures are showing. Is it just my computer? (I had to delete my last post because I didn't proof read. Love those spelling mistakes.)
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