Kryal Castle facts for kids
Kryal Castle is an amazing place in Australia that looks just like a real medieval castle! It's located near a town called Ballarat in Victoria. Imagine stepping back in time to a world of knights, jesters, and dragons – that's what Kryal Castle is all about! The castle's name comes from its builder, Keith Ryall. He started building it in 1972, and it opened its doors to visitors in 1974.
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Kryal Castle: Step Into a Medieval Adventure
Kryal Castle is packed with exciting things to see and do. It has a real moat (a water ditch around the castle) and a drawbridge that can be raised. You can explore a fun maze, climb castle towers, and even see stocks (old-fashioned wooden restraints). There's also an armoury, which is a place where weapons and armour are kept.
Exciting Shows and Attractions
At Kryal Castle, you can watch incredible shows. Knights perform thrilling jousting tournaments, where they ride horses and try to knock each other off with lances! There are also live theatre performances, funny jester acts, and amazing jugglers. Sometimes, you can even see fire-eating shows! For those who like a bit of history, there's a "Wax Of Torture" museum, which shows how things were done in medieval times.
Stay and Celebrate at the Castle
Kryal Castle isn't just a place to visit for the day. It also offers special rooms where you can stay overnight, like a hotel! These are called Castle Suites and are very comfortable. The castle is also a popular spot for special events like weddings and conferences. It's a truly unique place to celebrate or hold a meeting.
The Castle's Journey Through Time
After many years, Kryal Castle was put up for sale in 2007. It took a few years to find new owners. In 2011, Jay Finch and Wendy Alexander bought the castle. They wanted to keep it running as a hotel and a fun theme park. However, they couldn't complete the payment, so ownership went back to Keith Ryall in August 2011.
Then, in January 2012, a company called Castle Tourism & Entertainment Pty Ltd took over Kryal Castle. They decided to close it for a big makeover and upgrade. The castle reopened in 2013, looking better than ever! It was designed to be a place for both daytime and night-time fun. They brought back the exciting medieval sport of jousting and added cool sound and light shows.
