I remember exactly the day that I wanted to live in a castle; it was when I watched Disney's Sleeping Beauty on VHS...ahhhh simpler times before the world of DVDs and Blu-ray. I remember one year I dressed up as Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin and imagine living in a palace. What little girl wasn't enamored with being a princess? Well, fast forward 20 years and I finally got to visit a castle, Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Although this castle doesn't look like it would be fit for a Disney Princess it was still intriguing and well worth taking the stop on seeing this legendary landmark on the sightseeing bus tour. It reminds me of the architecture of Hogwart's Castle from Harry Potter, but sadly the Castle was sans a Headless Nick. Admissions to the castle is $13.75 for adults and $8.75 for students. You will also receive a map and a short history brochure. Some of the rooms to the castle are closed, and you have to be able to climb four flights of stairs to tour the castle. I recommend allowing at least an hour to go through the castle. My dad and I just had 40 minutes until the next bus arrived, and we felt a little rushed.
Here's a little advertisement announcement from the pamphlet we received on the ferry ride from Seattle to Victoria:
Coal baron Robert Dunsmuir was the wealthiest man in British Columbia. He died in 1889, just months before Craigdarroch Castle was completed. He left his entire estate (28 acres) to his wife Joan, who lived in the Castle until her death in 1908. Their immense fortune is reflected in four floors of exquisite stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and ornate Victorian era furnishings. The Castle speaks of the lifestyles of the very rich at the end of the 19th century. Experience breathtaking views of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains from high in the Castle's Tower.
As my dad and I were exiting the castle grounds, a little girl of maybe 4 or 5 years old asked, "Did you get to see the Princess inside the castle?" Now as many of you know that I am not too fond of children that I am not related to but it was the look on the girls face..wishfulness and hope; she reminded me of myself from two decades ago and so I answered her. I tried to quickly think of an answer that wouldn't disappoint the little girl but yet I wouldn't be lying either. I told her that no I didn't see a princess inside but you will to see lots of princess dresses. The little girl got super excited....and that was my good deed of the day :)
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| The front of the castle |
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| My dad and I in front of the castle |
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| Me in front of the sign that is located on the side of the castle |
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| Stained glass window |
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| Stained glass windows |
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| The spiral staircase that goes up four floors |
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| Classiest bathroom sign |
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| Table is all set for dessert in the billiards room |
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| View from one of the towers |
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