Greeba Castle facts for kids
Greeba Castle is a special house on the Isle of Man. It looks like a castle, but it was built as a home. It has a long history and is famous for its connection to a well-known writer.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Greeba" comes from an old word. It is from the Scandinavian word "Gnipa." This word means "a peak" or "a high point." This makes sense because the castle is near mountains.
Where to Find It
Greeba Castle is located on the Isle of Man. It is in the area called German. The castle sits right next to the main A1 Peel Road. It is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) east of a small village called Greeba. It is also about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) east of St Johns village.
Things Nearby
The castle is in a beautiful area. The main road near the castle crosses a high point between the east and west sides of the island. An old railway line used to run next to the road. The land around the castle is mostly farms. You can also find the Greeba River here. Nearby are Greeba Mountain, which is 422 meters (1,385 feet) high, and Slieau Ruy, which is 479 meters (1,572 feet) high. The old ruins of St Trinian's Chapel are also close by.
A Look at History
Greeba Castle was built in 1849. It is located at the bottom of Greeba Mountain. It is also near a forest called the Kings Forest. There are two large houses here that look like castles. They were built in a style called Gothic. This style often includes pointed arches and tall windows.
The Architect and Owners
These houses, Greeba Towers and Greeba Castle, were designed by John Robinson. He was an architect from Douglas. He taught himself how to design buildings. John Robinson designed many buildings in Douglas. These include the Bank of Mona and the Falcon Cliff.
Greeba Castle was first built for William Nowell. Later, a man named Edward Windus bought it. He was the son of a famous publisher.
The Famous Writer's Home
A well-known writer named Hall Caine moved to the Isle of Man in 1894. He first rented Greeba Castle for six months. Then, in 1896, he bought the house. It was not in good condition when he bought it. Hall Caine lived there until he passed away in 1931. He had parts of the house changed and updated during his time there.
A Fun Story
There is a folk tale about Greeba Castle. It says that the owner of the castle lost it in a card game. To get back at the new owner, he built Greeba Towers. He built it right in front of Greeba Castle. This was done to block the new owner's view! Greeba Castle was also used as a school for a while.
Exciting Races
Greeba Castle is a famous spot for racing fans. It is located between the 5th and 6th mile markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course. This course is used for the exciting Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races. The castle was also part of the course for car races between 1905 and 1922. It was even used for motorcycle races in 1905.
