Tovrea Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Tovrea Castle
|
|
(2022)
|
|
 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 5041 E. Van Buren Street,, Phoenix, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Area | 44 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | December 1929 to January 1931 |
| Architect | Alessio Carraro |
| Architectural style | Italianate Architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000309 |
| Added to NRHP | March 28, 1996 |
Tovrea Castle is a historic building in Phoenix, Arizona. It's located on a large piece of land, about 44 acres (18 ha) big. Many people call it the "Wedding Cake Castle" because of its unique shape.
The castle was built between 1929 and 1931 by Alessio Carraro. He wanted it to be a hotel for a big resort. But in 1931, E.A. and Della Tovrea bought it and made it their home. Now, Tovrea Castle is part of the Phoenix Parks System. It's also one of the Phoenix Points of Pride, which are special places in the city.
Today, the castle grounds have over 5,000 different cacti! The Tovrea Carraro Society helps take care of the castle and its gardens. They offer guided tours of the grounds, the first floor, and the basement. They also host special events. The castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
The Castle's Story
Tovrea Castle is also known as "Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights." This name honors both Alessio Carraro, who built it, and E. A. and Della Tovrea, who later owned it. Some people used to think E. A. Tovrea built the castle for his wife to look like their wedding cake. But that's just a fun story! The Tovreas actually bought the castle from Alessio Carraro in 1931.
For a long time, the castle was a well-known landmark in the city. However, the building and its gardens became quite old and worn out. The City of Phoenix bought the 44 acres around the castle. They then started working hard to fix up the building and bring the gardens back to life.
Restoring the Gardens
In 2006, a lot of work began on the castle's gardens. Plants that were sick or dead were removed. Healthy plants were cared for and helped to grow stronger. During this restoration, 352 saguaro cacti were planted. More than 2,000 other cacti were moved to new spots. Other plants, like desert wildflowers, were also added to the gardens. Today, the park has over 5,000 individual cacti, with more than 100 different kinds!
After some delays, the City of Phoenix finished the project by February 14, 2012. This was just in time for Arizona's 100th birthday! A new visitors center was also built. The Tovrea Carraro Society is a local non-profit group. They work with the City of Phoenix to manage the site. Since March 2012, they have been giving guided tours and holding special events at the castle.
What the Castle Looks Like
Alessio Carraro wanted his hotel to look like the castles he saw in his home country of Italy. He worked with the natural granite ground to make his vision come true.
Tovrea Castle is made of granite blocks, pine wood, and stucco. It has a unique four-tier design. This design makes it look a lot like a traditional wedding cake, which is how it got its famous nickname. The castle has a mix of old European styles. It has decorative walls called parapets around the roof of each tier. Inside and outside, you can also see details from the Art Deco style.
At night, the castle lights up with LED bulbs along its roofs and fences. From far away, it looks like a romantic medieval castle. Even though it doesn't have true medieval details, it still gives off that feeling.
The castle is easy to see from many nearby areas. Drivers on Loop 202 get a great view of it. This makes Tovrea Castle one of the most famous landmarks in Phoenix.
See Also
- List of historic properties in Phoenix, Arizona
- Phoenix Historic Property Register
- Mystery Castle
