Hearst
Castle is a National US and California Historical Landmark nestled in the
lush Central California Coast. The estate was designed by renowned
architect Julia Morgan over the span of 28 years, 1919 to 1947.
Media mogul William Randolph Hearst had commissioned the lavish castle but died soon after its completion. Although, he did get to enjoy the mansion as it was functional during its nearly three decade long construction. Hearst famously played host to many decadent parties in the mansion before his death in 1951.
The castle had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s with Hollywood stars flocking to the grounds to rub shoulders with politicians for the outrageous parties thrown by its powerful and influential owner.
Among the luminaries who frequented the estate were such heavyweights as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Franklin Roosevelt, Joan Crawford, Charles Lindbergh, and Clark Gable.
The mansion became so iconic during that time that Orson Welles’ fictionalized bio of Hearst featured a similar estate under the name Xanadu in his 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane.
Another famous movie cameo was Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 Spartacus, which had the castle stand in for the Crassus’ villa.
The Hearst corporation and trust made a donation of the estate to the state of California six years after the newspaper mogul's death.
The Hearst Castle has since become a landmark in the United States, attracting tourists from the around the world. Estimates have annual visits clocking in at one million.
While the castle is in the possession of the state of California, the Hearst Corporation had a contractual condition allowing members of the Hearst family to use the grounds as they like. William Randolph's granddaughter Patty Hearst famously recounted how she used to hide behind the statues near the Neptune Pool as tourists passed by her ancestor's creation.
The Hearst Castle became a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Media mogul William Randolph Hearst had commissioned the lavish castle but died soon after its completion. Although, he did get to enjoy the mansion as it was functional during its nearly three decade long construction. Hearst famously played host to many decadent parties in the mansion before his death in 1951.
The castle had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s with Hollywood stars flocking to the grounds to rub shoulders with politicians for the outrageous parties thrown by its powerful and influential owner.
Among the luminaries who frequented the estate were such heavyweights as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Franklin Roosevelt, Joan Crawford, Charles Lindbergh, and Clark Gable.
The mansion became so iconic during that time that Orson Welles’ fictionalized bio of Hearst featured a similar estate under the name Xanadu in his 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane.
Another famous movie cameo was Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 Spartacus, which had the castle stand in for the Crassus’ villa.
The Hearst corporation and trust made a donation of the estate to the state of California six years after the newspaper mogul's death.
The Hearst Castle has since become a landmark in the United States, attracting tourists from the around the world. Estimates have annual visits clocking in at one million.
While the castle is in the possession of the state of California, the Hearst Corporation had a contractual condition allowing members of the Hearst family to use the grounds as they like. William Randolph's granddaughter Patty Hearst famously recounted how she used to hide behind the statues near the Neptune Pool as tourists passed by her ancestor's creation.
The Hearst Castle became a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
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